This super simple draw-string bag tutorial is made from an easy-to-find fabric basick: Fat Quarters. (Are you wondering what is a Fat Quarter? This will explain!) Fat Quarters are such a great way to collect some of your favorite pieces of fabric, without having to invest a lot of money.
In this post I am sharing a tutorial for a super-simple fat quarter drawstring bag made from
- one fat quarter
- 25" of ribbon
That's it!
These bags come together SO fast. They're perfect for teaching kids to sew - or anyone else for that matter.
Start by trimming any selvage edges off the fat quarter. You will be left with a roughly 18" x 22" rectangle of fabric. (It's okay if it's not exact.) Fold down the top edge about ½", press, and sew in place.
Fold the fat quarter in half width-wise with right-sides-together. Sew bottom and side edges together using a ⅜" seam allowance. Stop and backstitch about 4" from the top.
Press side seam allowance open, including 4" portion that is not sewn together. Carefully sew those edges down, starting at the top of one side, pivoting about ¼" below the opening and backstitching once, then up the other side.
Fold top edge down 2" and pin in place. Sew this flap down to create your casing. I just stitched right on top of the stitching for the hemmed edge. Go all the way around the fat quarter drawstring bag.
I then stitched around the top edge of the bag about ¼" away from the edge to give it more of a finished look.
This is how it will look. You can go ahead and add the drawstring now, if you like.
I added a quick gusset (fancy way of saying boxed bottom) to give my bag a little more shape. This is purely optional. But it's super easy if you want to do it.
Take the bottom corners of the fat quarter drawstring bag and fold them so that the side and bottom seams run down the center, creating a point. Measure down 2" from the point, mark, and draw a line perpendicular to the side seam.
Sew right on the drawn line and trim away excess fabric ¼" away from the seam. Repeat with other corner. If you want your gusset more or less boxy, you can measure more or less than the 2" away from the point and mark and sew accordingly. The options are endless...
Turn bag right side out. Put a safety pin at one end of your ribbon to help thread it through your casing
Tie the ends of the ribbon in a knot. And you're done. It's seriously that easy to make your fat quarter drawstring bag!
This fat quarter drawstring bag finishes at about 13" long by 10" wide. In addition to altering the gusset, you can change the length of the bag by trimming some of the fat quarter length before you start sewing.
I promise after you've made one, you'll be able to start whipping them out quickly. They're great for holding craft projects, birthday presents, Legos, you name it.
Pull out some Christmas fabric for perfect holiday gift wrap options too!
More Sewing Projects Made with Fat Quarters
Here are a few other simple Fat Quarter projects. These projects are perfect for beginning sewers and once again, would be good summer sewing projects with kids too:
A super simple lined tote-bag.
It's also super simple to add a lining to this draw-string bag, if you're looking for a sturdier bag. You can find a tutorial for a lined draw-string bag here (which you can make with or without the optional heart quilt block.)
DangitAnge says
Thanks for the tutorial. I'm teaching a homeschool sewing coop this fall so I'm collecting ideas.
Quilter in the Gap says
What a great bag! I know just the person to teach using this bag!!
Kara {me and elna} says
Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂
Marianne says
I must start my little kiddies off on learning to sew something. My little girl of 3.5 wants to so i gave her some fabric, needle and thread and she cannot do it. She said she doesn't want the thread. I said, well it wasn't really sewing then!
Laura says
My only problem is deciding which things to make! There isn't enough time in the day!
Sharon Eshlaman says
Amy, you have a great blog! Thanks for a chance to win.
Wily Crow says
I have a couple of pretty FQs and wasn't sure what I'd use them for - these bags look perfect! Excellent for carrying around small projects.
LilyKGonzales says
I make something similar and use them as shoe bags when I travel. I also have a light one and dark one to keep unmentionables when traveling, the light bag has clean, the dark has dirty. I make them as gifts too!
Amanda K says
Awesome tutorial! I'll have to make one now 🙂
Melia Mae Quilting says
What a cute idea! I should do that with my daughter. She would love that. She is always asking to sew with me, but she can sit on my lap and use the machine I would think. I will have to check out your tutorial.
Happy Cottage Quilter says
Wow thanks for the tutorial. I've always thought the drawstring bags look so awesome!!
giddy99 says
Awesome! I love drawstring bags; they're great to have as shoe bags when traveling (I travel a lot for work).
Paula @ Sewy Stuff says
Wow! Those really do look quick and easy! Can't wait to try one for my niece! The drawstring will be so much easier for her to use than a buttoned or zippered bag.<br /><br />Those Anne Kelle fabrics are great!
anyadahab says
Thank you for the tutorial. I have been thinking about where to start with teaching my son to sew. Right now he just loves icing out fabrics for me.
Darlene DuBois says
Awesome tutorial. Gonna try this with my granddaughter! Thanks
Leigh says
My family uses these as gift wrapping bags and this is a great tutorial to put some little ones learning to sew to work on more.
LHJ says
These fabrics are adorable, and honestly so is the project! Thanks 🙂
Sheila says
Great idea for a summer project with the grandchildren! Thank you. <br />Beautiful giveaway. I hope I win : )
Kelly Young says
What a great project! It's so fun to share a love of creating with kids at an early age!<br /><br />:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Tori says
I am so loving this project! Just picked up a TON of fun fat quarters on a quilt shop hop. I'm going to beat the heat today and make a few of these.<br /><br />tori w.
Mev_Lohman says
Yes, please! The fabrics and the bag pattern would be perfect for my nieces.
Liz Colley says
What a great simple project!
Sarah says
Cute! Thanks!
NanaMoran says
Several family members have asked me to teach them to sew...now I have the perfect project!! Thank you:)
Tracy says
I love these little bags, thanks for sharing!
Wlsngrl says
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing
Meredith says
I adore Ann Kelle fabric and must try this tutorial! Thanks!
Beverly says
I teaching my grandchildren to sew, this is perfect.
Kelli says
So cute and handy! I made 2 for my granddaughters and they love them!
karaj says
Such a cute idea! I've been wondering where to begin teaching kids to sew.
Linda Crosby says
This morning my three year old grandson asked me If i could make him a "jake the pirate " bag for his colloection of Jake toys. Thanks for the tutorial and chance to win this lovely fabric!!
Wendy Namken says
My son has been wanting a small bag for his Ninjago mini-figures and this would make a great bag for him! Thanks for the tutorial and chance to win some new fabric!!
Lynda says
I made similar bags for my daughter who travels a lot, she uses them to pack her shoes in, and a laminate one for anything wet. My grandbabies will turn 2 in July (triplets) so have a few years to wait until they learn to sew
Susan says
Thanks for the tutorial. I too use them for packing shoes
Suzanne T says
Gotta love a give away!
Emily Isley says
Love bags like this!
Kari Sweeten says
Awesome drawstring bag Amy!!! You are always sharing such amazing projects - THANK YOU!
Pam says
You can never have too many bags, I like to have a few for last minute gifts,pop in a few toiletries or chocolates and instant present.
SmallvilleMom says
The bags look so cute! I'd love to win the fabric.
Miggsie says
Thanks for the tutorial, and the giveaway - what cute fabric!
Lorraine says
Thanks for the great bag idea--perfect for my granddaughters! I love the cute fabric!
allierae says
How cute, thanks Amy!
Mitzi says
Thanks for this post. I'm teaching my 2 daughters and a couple of their friends to sew this summer and I was just looking for something else easy to make besides pillow cases! Thanks...and thanks for having the giveaway.
maureen says
I have some students at school that I mentor. This would make a great project for them to work on! Thanks for the idea. (and the chance to win the fabric to get them started!!)
Zoe says
Very cute bag! I will definitely try making one of these.
Barb says
So cute, I love draw string bags, we can never have enough here. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts says
Wonderful project! And so many uses for them. Thank you!
Dedra C says
I'm making drawstring bags today for my girls. Thank you for the inspiration.
shawn says
Oooooo what wonderful colors of fabric, thanks for giveaway!!<br />(smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)
NorahS says
That bag is so cute! Love the giveaway fabrics. My daughter is all grown up but is making quilts, too!
malmur says
What fab fabrics - drawstring bags too!! Great
james and bess says
what a cutie bag - just love those ann kelle prints! 🙂 great giveaway!<br /><br />bess 🙂
andsewitis says
So cute and practical!
Carol says
What cute bags and so handy! Thanks for the tutorial!
shayne says
Perfect! Thanks!
Pinspot says
Ann Kelle- queen of basics. Love her!
Lucy @ Charm About You says
very cute bags!
Debbie Weishaar says
I'm always looking for patterns that use fat quarters and I have some that I'll be using to make some of these little bags for gifts this year. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
Steven and Ginger says
So cute. I love using fabric drawstring bags!
Cherie says
Super cute!! Great idea. I will have to try it out sometime!
Allison C says
I love Ann Kelle prints!
Chris S says
Love the fabric and bags!
Kacey says
Thanks for a very useful tutorial!
✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ says
What a great project! My 7 year old would love to make one or three! She has her own sewing machine and is pretty able at this point to follow directions.
Nancycim says
What a great idea. Wonder if it would make a good travel shoe bag?
linynp says
Yeah! Perfect timing! Live your fabric choices for the bags. Awesome giveaway. <br />Linynp2 at yahoo (dot) com
Coffee Break Whatever says
Those Anne Kelle are beautiful! I would love to make a quilt from those. I have been intending to make a black and white one...touch of red and yellow would be perfect! Thanks for the chance.
grannymaudsgirl says
Yes, I know the 'Call the Midwife' show. Can you watch an episode without a tear? I loved it so much when it was shown on TV that I bought the DVDs, and I recently bought the first of the books it is based on for a friend.
Ramona says
I love simple projects like this when teaching someone to sew. Fun, easy and useful!
KatieQ says
I didn't know Craftsy had any free classes. Thanks for the info and for offering the generous giveaway.
pizzaeater says
The bag is so cute. Thanks for the information about crafty's free classes. I am going to check them out.
Janarama says
Great tutorial! Thanks. I'm loving Ann Kelle's prints.
Jess says
I've been needing some good drawstring bags for carrying around my knitting. These are perfect!
Tamie says
What a great tutorial. I'd love to add more fat quarters to my stash. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jude Jones says
Great idea, thanks for the give away!
Unknown says
Love the fabric in your give away. Thanks for having it. Nancy: [email protected]
Hayley Stephens says
My niece asked me to teach her to sew. This looks perfect. hayleymstephens @ gmail dot com
Jennifer says
Love this drawstring bag, thanks!
A Quilters Playhouse says
Great tutorial on the drawstring bag! I hope to knock out several tomorrow!
Abbe Coury says
Cute drawstring bag! Great tutorial for me to use to teach my daughter to sew. Thanks!
mvink says
Awesome tutorial! That will have to go on my to list. Thanks for the chance 🙂
Pank says
Hi that is such a cute bag. I can't wait o try it out
Esther F. says
Thank you very much for the tutorial, the craftsy tip and the give-away!<br />Esther<br />esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com<br />Ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com<br />
Kelly says
Love the daisies and the chevrons! So fun!
Cindy Sheaffer says
Love this tutorial! Always looking for quick, easy and useful gifts!<br />This fits the bill perfectly! Thanks for the chance to win!
Andrea says
Cute tute! Lovely bag idea...and what a lovely giveaway!
Kelly says
Love the daisies and the chevrons! So fun!
Kelly says
Love the daisies and the chevrons! So fun!
Jodi - usairdoll says
Super cute little bags! These are perfect little project bags or even gift bags as well. Thanks for the tutorial!<br /><br />Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.<br /><br />usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com<br />
robin says
Cute, cute, cute. Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway chance!
cat says
love the bright fabrics. Thanks for the giveaways.
kt says
Great idea! I'm hoping to get my daughter sewing this summer--this may be her first project. Thanks for sharing!
dpaulson512 says
Love this idea! Thanks again! Would LOVE this giveaway!
Jeneta says
Oh how lovely and simple!
Bethany says
Thanks for the chance to win!
sewlightly says
I would love to win this fat quarter bundle. It would be perfect to use to make these cute drawstring bags.
Oot-N-Aboot says
Ooooh...love the fat quarter bundle! Would make some cute bags!
Buffy Skolnick says
The link went to a zippered pouch tutorial??? I'll search the site and see if I can find it. Thanks for the giveaway!<br />buffy (at) dblawoffices (dot) com
Nicole says
Cute bags! Great giveaway!
paperscissorsink says
Cute bag, perfect for me to do with the kids for a learning project, thank you!
Jennifer says
Cute bag! Thanks for the tutorial.
Mary Burnette says
Great Tutorial! I will be making several of [email protected]
Margaret says
Love that bag. Thanks for the giveaway. mschindlerstar(at)gmail(dot)com
Becky_Sharp says
Great idea! Love those drawstring bags.
Joana says
Love the drawstring bags! Thanks so much for the great tutorial--and I always love give-aways!
Leigh Anne says
This is perfect timing! I promised my 7 year old I would teach her to sew this summer 🙂
Kristen says
Love the prints and the tutorial. Thanks for those and the giveaway!
Dana Nemerson says
Loving the graphic quality of the Ann Kelle fabrics.
aiah23 says
wow those fabrics are really lovely! I <3 Craftsy! I've done a couple of the mini classes myself and have quite a few paid ones in my queu that I need to tackle!<br /><br />Fawn
Barbara Pricola says
I love your blog, and great fabrics!
Sarah says
A drawstring bag is the first thing I learned how to sew - it stored all my sewing things in it for classes after that. My favorite part was picking out the fabric from the entire store! 🙂 <br /><br />The Ann Kelle prints make me think of a summer picnic, love it!
Kat says
Thank you for the tutorial and giveaway!
Sheila M/FL says
Thank you for this great pattern. I volunteer at our local Ronanld McDonald House teaching the kids how to sew, this will be great and I was really getting tired of helping them make pillowcases. Thank and please keep these great easy itdeas coming.
Andee says
I just made four zipper pouches from one of those Craftsy classes...really awesome pattern! Thanks for the chance on the giveaway!
Sherryl says
It's hard to resist a little gift bag. I like to make them and take them to my book club meeting filled with little goodies! This is a sweet little tutorial (and a lovely giveaway) - thank you!<br /> - sunshdws at yahoo dot com
Paula says
Great tutorial. My son needs a gym bag for kindergarten and this will be just perfect.
Ida says
Thanks for the tutorial. I'm going to make this with my daughter.
Bonnie Pfrimmer says
What a lovely bag. I am going to make one for my granddaughter to keep her games in it. Thanks for sharing..
Linda June says
Ohhh! Those colors in Ann Kelle prints! I just love Red, White and Blue and this is popping great! Thanks for the tutorial. I love your blog and all your projects--my style, thank you!<br />
KMSC says
Your bag is so cute and handy, too. Thanks for the tutorial and giveaway. The Ann Kelle fabrics are gorgeous. <br />[email protected]
Christine says
Beautiful fabrics and great tutorial! Thanks!
Margaret says
Thanks for the chance!
patti says
I love working with fat quarters, and those prints are gorgeous! Thanks for giving us a chance to win them!
Mara says
I need to make a few of these, thanks for the tutorial, I just might let my kids make one too!
CathyK says
Cute bags!!! Thank you for a chance to win those darling fabrics!!
Jody says
This is a great bag for my daughter to make - thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway!
Karrie Smith says
Thanks for the tutorial! and for the chance to win 😉
Nicole says
My daughter would love to sew these with me!
kathywith4kids says
I love fat quarters! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Christine M says
Those little bags would be so handy. Thanks for the tutorial and lovely giveaway.
Michèle-Renée Charbonneau says
Ooh, Sew Happy Together looks fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
Lori K says
I love that combo! Thanks for the chance at this!
Jacklynn says
I love the bold colors that Ann uses - it's an awesome bundle!
Kate says
That bundle is so cute! Red and black together are pretty.<br /><br />([email protected])
doris144 says
Podobają mi się te tkaniny! From Poland, Doris
Tina Marie says
I love the colors. Red, black and white are so classy.
Tena says
Such beautiful patterns and colors!<br />
Nicola says
Love Anne Kelle fabrics and especially these colours. A quilt made out of these would look fab in my daughters bedroom. Thanks for the chance to win.
Nicola says
Love Anne Kelle fabrics and especially these colours. A quilt made out of these would look fab in my daughters bedroom. Thanks for the chance to win.
breannesp says
Those prints are adorable! Thanks for the giveaway!
Suze says
The Color Me Retro is adorable. The possibilities for a quilt are running through my head. What a great giveaway - many thanks. I had fun just looking at all the fabric.
Riana says
What cute prints! I'd love to incorporate them into something for my sister. :)<br />Thanks for the chance to win~
AshleySaxon says
I am an advisor for a sorority and lots of the girls want to learn how to sew so i'm always looking for simple projects they can do. And those fabrics are cute too! Thanks for the chance to win - i'm really enjoying your blog and so glad i switched to bloglovin and found you as a "featured" or popular blog for diy/crafts/sewing.
Annie says
Super, super cute! I've been wanting to teach my 11 year old granddaughter to sew and this bag is perfect! Gotta go...off to Joanne's to get couple yards of cute fabric...much cheaper than fat quarters ;). Thanks Amy!
Chris {frecklemama} says
Hi Amy! I just wanted to drop a note on this post to let you know that I came across this tutorial, whipped up one of these bags, and loved them so much that I decided to make 55 of them for The Stash Bash goodie bags! What a great tutorial. Thanks 🙂 I miss you and hope you are well. Thank goodness for social media.
Ana T. Garcia says
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buttons and paint... says
Thanks for sharing such a fab tutorial! We've been creating our own version of a drawstring bag and have included a link back to you 🙂 x<br /><br />https://buttonsandpaint.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/drawstring-peg-bag.html
Leslie says
this tutorial was so easy to follow and fun to make. i just adjusted the height of the bag for what i was making and it turned out perfectly. thanks
stefanie says
I just made six of these as project bags for my knitting. All different sizes. I am usually one to fight with my sewing machine, but this pattern really helped me out a lot. It only took a few hours and they look much better than I thought I was capable of. Thanks!!<br /><br />Stefanie
Sherry says
Thank you so much for this easy to understand tutorial! I just finished a bag made from puppy dog print for a special one year old to put his new building blocks in. It turned out perfect! 🙂
Savvy says
I think you recently published a tutorial on a tote bag that used linen and had inset strips made from pre cut strips. Now can't seem to find it....can you publish reference?? or the name of tutorial?? Thanks AMY!!
amy smart says
Is it this one? https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2015/02/draw-string-pouch-bag-tutorial.html
Miranda koontz says
Hi...I am looking for a tutorial to make a tissue box cover with a drawstring closure...I haven't had any luck 🙁
Do you think this tutorial would work?? It looks like it will...but I wanted to ask you first!!! So...if you get a chance to let me know that would be great!! I know you're busy!!! I appreciate it!!!
Thanks!
MK
Miranda koontz says
I can usually follow the directions on your tutorials...much better than some other tutorials from other sites!! You have taught me how to make a quilt...half square triangles...Christmas stockings...borders...binding...scrappy table runners...and pumpkin table runners!! So...that's another reason why I was hoping the drawstring bag tutorial would work as a tissue box cover...I can understand your instructions!! 😉
Amy Smart says
Well thank you! I'm glad they've been helpful. I have to say, I've never made a tissue box cover, so I don't know to make one - but I hope this is helpful. Let me know how it goes!
Beth says
Years later but I just found your tutorial on Craigslist and gave it a shot! I'm a very very beginner sewer, just got my machine for Christmas. This was by far the easiest tutorial I have found so far and was able to make one of these cute bags in about 30 minutes! Thanks for sharing!
Beth says
Thanks so much for the tutorials! I made this bag for my grandson with a woven buckle type strap. Trying to make it more boyish. I made three of the lined totes for my granddaughters. I’ve quilted for years, sewed a few clothing items as a kid, made curtain and hemmed things over the years, so I’m not a beginner, but I’ve never made bags. This was great for a first time project. Also, I didn’t have to buy anything. I just used what I had on hand. I can see that my new overlock machine might work here too, but that’s another conversation. I’m totally new to that. Thanks again, I basically learned to quilt from your tutorials, too.
Amy Smart says
So great to hear from you, Beth! I'm so happy to hear that the tutorials were helpful. 🙂