Easy Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial in 3 Sizes

If you're looking for a quick, satisfying sewing project that you'll actually use, these easy lined drawstring bags are such a winner. In this post I'm sharing a free tutorial to make them in three different sizes, all using the same simple construction method. These easy drawstring bags are perfect for travel organizing, toy storage, or corralling sewing notions - and they're a great way to show off favorite prints or use up leftover fabric. (Bust through that stash!) They're also a great option for sustainable/reusable gift wrap.

If you can sew a straight seam, you can absolutely make these bags! (In fact, they are a great beginner project or perfect for teaching someone else to sew.) And once you've made a couple, you can whip a bunch of these easy DIY bags out in no time!

Want a printable PDF of this tutorial? GO HERE

Fabric Requirements

As I mentioned, these bags are perfect for busting through your fabric stash. The Small and Medium size bags are also Fat Quarter friendly, so if you've got any FQ's lying around, put them to good use!

Small (finishes at 3½" x 2" x 3"): ¼ yard (Regular or Fat Quarter) of Fabric A and Fabric B

Medium (finishes at 7" x 5" x 7"): 2 Fat Quarters (1 each of Fabric A and Fabric B)

Large (finishes at 9½" x 5" x 11"): ⅔ yard each of Fabric A and Fabric B

(fabric in this tutorial is from Mary Catherine collection)

Cutting Instructions

Small Bag

• Fabric A (Exterior): Cut 1 rectangle 8" x 14"
• Fabric B (Lining): Cut 1 rectangle 5" x 14"
• Fabric B (Drawstring): Cut 1 strip 2" x 30" (If cutting from a Fat Quarter, sew together 2 strips 2" x 16".)

Medium Bag

• Fabric A (Exterior): Cut 1 rectangle 15" x 21"
• Fabric B (Lining): Cut 1 rectangle 11" x 21"
• Fabric B (Drawstring): Cut 1 strip 3" x 42" (If cutting from a Fat Quarter, sew together 2 strips 2" x 21".)

Large Bag

• Fabric A (Exterior): Cut 1 rectangle 20" x 30"
• Fabric B (Lining): Cut 1 rectangle 16" x 30"
• Fabric B (Drawstring): Cut 1 strip 3" x 42"

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Sewing Instructions (All Sizes)

These sewing steps are the same for all three sizes. (The only change is for the gusset/boxed corners - details below.)

Construct the Bag

1 Layer the fabrics - Place the exterior (Fabric A) and lining (Fabric B) right sides together, matching up the lower edges and corners. The top edges will not be even-that extra height on the exterior piece will form the casing later.

Sew the sides and bottom Sew down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side, backstitching at the beginning and end of your stitching line.

Leave the top edge open.

2. Place exterior fabric wrong side up on the work surface. Fold down top edge of exterior fabric ½''. (I love the Clover Hot Press ruler for quick fold and press measurements.)

Press and sew edge down.

Trim fabric at bottom corners.

3. Turn bag right-sides out and press around the sewn edges, flattening the seams. Press raw edge sides of exterior fabric above the lining fabric ¼" toward the center on both sides.

Stitch down these folded edges from the top to the lining fabric's edge.

4. Fold down top sewn edge of the exterior fabric to overlap ¼" with top edge of lining fabric to create the casing. Pin in place to make sure the top edge of the casing is square with the sides of the bag.

Sew across width of the project, directly on top of the hemming stitches. Backstitch at both ends. (Do NOT sew over perpendicular openings on both sides of the outer fabric. These are the openings for the casings for the drawstrings.)

5. Press the folded top edge. Topstitch ⅛" and ¼" from the folded top to finish the top edge of the bag.

6. Fold bag in half lengthwise with lining fabric facing out. Starting right below the casing, backstitch and sew the side, then pivot and sew the bottom of bag together.

7. Box the Bottom Corners (Gusset)
Open one bottom corner of the bag and flatten it so that the side seam and bottom seam line up down the center, forming a point with a 90° angle.

Measure down 2" from the point, mark, and draw a line perpendicular to the side seam.

• NOTE: For the small bag measure 1½" from the point instead

Sew directly on the marked line, backstitching at both ends.

Repeat with the second corner.

OPTION: Leave the corner triangles in place to add structure and weight to the bottom of the bag OR trim corner triangles off, leaving a ½" seam allowance and finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch.

8. Turn bag right sides out and gently push out the boxed corners to give the bag some shape.

9. Make Drawstring (Optional - you could use ribbon or cording instead if you prefer)

Fold fabric strip in half lengthwise and press. Open strip and fold long raw edges to the center crease. Press again. Fold in half, encasing the raw edges in the center. Topstitch both sides. Turn each short end under ½" twice and stitch in place.

10. Thread Drawstring (or Ribbon) through Casing - I highly recommend using a Bodkin or large Safety Pin attached to one end to help you easily thread the Drawstring through.

*TIP if you do use ribbon, add a little bit of Fray Check or a very light layer of clear glue to keep those ribbon edges from fraying:

And voila! You've got three useable and reusable drawstring bags in a variety of sizes. I love how the lined version of these bags gives them some added weight and stability.

Get the Free Drawstring Bag Pattern

Want a free printable PDF version of this tutorial? Enter your information here and I'll send it directly to your email.

These bags are a great way to use up your fabric stash in a useful and adorable way. I had fun making these bags from my new Mary Catherine collection but I also had fun pulling prints from my stash.

They're also a great beginning sewing project and perfect for teaching sewing skills to any new makers.

These drawstring bags are a great sustainable option to gift wrap that you can repurpose and use year after year.

You could also use them for Christmas ornament storage during the rest of the year.

I'm especially smitten with this small size - how cute are they in Liberty Christmas fabric? I love how the bags really show off the prints.

This free project: DIY Lined Drawstring bag pattern is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines.

I have been an ambassador for Baby Lock for almost 9 years now and have loved every machine I've worked with. For this project I am sewing with the Baby Lock Altair II sewing machine. 

If you're looking for recommendations for buying the right sewing machine for a beginner or ideas for upgrading your current machine, I've got a post here on how to choose the perfect sewing machine, for any level or budget.

 And there are some really good Black Friday Baby Lock specials happening right now. Plus, take an additional 5% off Holiday sales with promo code AFF5PCT through 12/12!

More Bag Tutorials:

Here's another Easy 1 Fat Quarter Drawstring Bag tutorial. This one is not lined, but it's a great way to make a bag with just one Fat Quarter.

Here's another variation of an easy lined bag tutorial, also made with Fat Quarters this time with a handle.

Need a drawstring bag in a custom size? Use this handy formula and tutorial from May Chappell.