I don’t know about you, but I often find myself at the sewing machine when my kids need something. Sure, of course I enjoy sewing simply for the fun of it or because I discovered some amazing fabric I couldn’t bear to leave behind at the fabric store and I wanted something just for ME.
But there are frequent times when necessity really is the push behind creating a sewing pattern.
Like recently, when my kids were packing to go away camping and we realised that they each needed a bag to stuff in their plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery and tea towels. Something that could get banged around and dirty, but keep the contents inside clean, could fit in a suitcase with all their other gear, and still be suitable to go through the washing machine at the end of their outdoor adventure.
And that is where my idea for sewing drawstring bags came from.
I had been saving a stack of old, thinning, fraying bathroom towels for a handy upcycling project and a drawstring bag was perfect!
This sewing project will only take you about ½ an hour requires nothing but sewing straight lines! Which makes it perfect for all levels of sewing fans, even nervous newbies!
(If you’re on the lookout for more simple sewing fun, take a look at my other straight lines sewing projects .
Ready to put your old towels to good use too? Environmentally-friendly AND easy? Yes please! I have got the perfect, easy-to-follow sewing tutorial for you!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
What are drawstring bags good for?
What are they not good for?!?
Lightweight, easy to pack away when not in use and washable, drawstring bags- aka cinch bags- are practical any time you just need a quick bag to throw a few things into.
Drawstring bags are popular for carrying sneakers and sports gear, toiletries, personal grooming items like a hairdryer or outdoor camping supplies. (I made mine because my 3 kids needed a bag to throw their camping gear into).
What do you need to sew a drawstring bag?
Firm woven fabric that can handle being bumped around or stuffed full of things.
Tip: Here I am making a few drawstring bags using old bathroom handtowels. I’ve also made these bags using old tea towels. No need to go out and buy new fabric and a great way to upcycle what you already have in your home! 💪
Cord for the “string”.
Tip: Here I used shoelaces (approximately 120 cm / 47 in. long) recovered from old sneakers. 😉
Usual sewing supplies: fabric scissors, measuring tape, pins, thread, sewing machine, serger (optional)
How to easily sew a DIY drawstring bag
My completed drawstring bag is approximately 41 cm x39 cm.
I used a 1 ½ cm (½ in.) seam allowance, which is included in the measurements in this tutorial.
The beauty of this sewing project is, that it isn’t rocket science. Whether you want to make a smaller or larger bag, the technique to sew one is exactly the same.
And because the sides of the bag get pulled inwards once the bag is filled and drawn closed, if your straight stitching is a little wobbly or one side of the bag ends up a couple of centimetres shorter than the other, it’s not the end of the world. 😂
Step 01: Prepare the fabric for your drawstring bag
I used an old bathroom hand towel approximately 48 cm x 98 cm. (It probably started as a towel 50 cm x 100 cm but has shrunken over the years 😅)
If you are using something similar, no need to make any further calculations!
Cut along each of the short edges to remove the factory-made hems and any other frazzled threads.
I then cut another strip approximately 4 cm wide off each of the short edges to form my rectangular piece of fabric.
Tip: If you would like to make a different-sized bag or use something other than a similar sized towel, you will need to decide what size you would like your finished bag to be. You will need the fabric piece to be double the width of your planned bag, plus add seam allowances plus add the height of the cord tunnel you wish to create.
Step 02: How to prevent fabric from fraying
Because the raw edges of woven fabrics (like towels) can fray, it’s a good idea to use a zig zag stitch with your sewing machine or a serger / overlocker stitch to protect the edges and prevent your sewing work falling apart at a later date.
I used a serger along all of the raw edges.
Step 03: How to sew a tunnel for a drawstring cord
Does your fabric have a pattern or an obvious “right side”? Be clear on this before doing anything else!
Lay the fabric out flat with the right side down. It’s time to form the tunnel for the drawstring cord.
Fold the upper long edge inwards approximately 3 ½ cm (approx. 1 ½ in.) and pin to hold in place.
Edge stitch along the entire length of this side. I used a zig zag stitch, but a straight stitch is also fine.
Tip: You could also use more decorative stitches, or threads that contrast with the colour of your fabric.
Step 04: Position the fabric ready to sew your drawstring bag
Fold the fabric in half right sides together. The cord tunnel is now folded in half and the long rectangle fabric shape now looks more like an almost square.
Pin together the fabric layers of the 2 open edges but NOT along the top edge with the tunnel. ☝ This top edge will be where the bag opens and closes.
Note: You don’t want to sew the tunnel openings closed when stitching your drawstring bag! Use pins to mark out the edge of the tunnel seam so you don’t sew further by accident!
Step 05: Stitch together your drawstring bag
Starting along the edge with the open tunnel ends straight stitch along that open edge and continue around the other open edge until you reach the folded side. But remember ☝, don’t stitch over the tunnel openings!
Tip: To reinforce the edge of the bag at the tunnel openings (it’s the area which will get a lot of wear and tear) simply sew a couple of times back and forth on the seam of the tunnel, perpendicular to the side of the bag.
Step 06: Create the drawstring cord for your bag
Turn your bag right side out.
Looking good so far, right?!?
But it still needs the “string”.
The length of cord needs to be around 3 times the width of your finished bag. I used an old shoelace that was approximately 120 cm long.
Tip: To make it easier to thread the cord through the tunnel and out the other end, use a safety pin as a grip on the thin and slippery cord. Trust me, it’s much easier to push and pull the cord through this way 😉.
Be sure to leave a good length of cord hanging out each end of the tunnel. You don’t want to pull the cord in one end of the tunnel and straight out the other side! 😂
Step 07: Handmade drawstring bag is ready to use!
Once the cord is through the bag’s tunnel, line up the cord ends and knot them together so that the cord can’t accidentally disappear back inside the tunnel.
Taa-daa!!!
Your drawstring bag is now ready to use!
Didn’t I tell you? Easy and quick to sew, an environmentally-friendly way to use up leftover towels and super practical for all those bits and pieces when you and the family are out and about.
What are you going to use your drawstring bag for?
Psst! Got even more towels you’d like to repurpose? Take a look at these other easy projects for old towels!
