Hey everyone! Today we're sewing a simple drawstring bag, and I'll show you how a pretty pink batik turns a half yard of fabric into a gift-ready little pouch.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Banyan 80084-22 IKAT SKETCH PINK 45" wide fabric per yard from Fabric Fanatics.
It's a batik. It's 45" wide. It's made by Banyan. And it's sold by the yard here at Linda's.
The name tells you the look. Ikat Sketch is the design name. Pink is the color. And that sketched ikat style gives you a pattern with a soft, hand-drawn feel instead of hard, sharp edges.
Batiks press crisp and hold an edge well. That matters here, because this bag is built on straight cuts, clean folds, and a tidy casing at the top.
The project: a simple drawstring bag
We're making a lined drawstring bag that finishes about 10" wide by 12" tall, with a flat bottom so it can stand up on a dresser or a sewing table.
That size is really really useful. It holds a knitting project, sewing notions, or toiletries. And it makes a sweet gift bag you can use again and again.
Why does this fabric suit it? The pink does the decorating for you. You don't need appliqué or fancy piecing. One fabric outside, one simple lining inside, and the bag looks finished. Super duper cute, and super duper easy.
And here's the permission beat. Your corners do not have to be perfect. Your casing stitching does not have to be flawless. You're your own worst critic here, I promise. Take your time. It's not a race.
Materials
- 1/2 yard of Banyan 80084-22 IKAT SKETCH PINK for the bag outside
- 1/2 yard of a coordinating lining fabric
- About 2 yards of cord, ribbon, or twill tape — two pieces, each about 30" long
- Thread to blend with the pink
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, plus pins or clips
- A safety pin or bodkin for threading the cord, and an iron
Brief steps
One. Press your fabric first. From the pink batik, cut two rectangles, each 11" wide by 14" tall. Cut the same from your lining. Mark a 1 1/2" square at each bottom corner of all four pieces — you'll use those marks to box the bottom later.
Two. Place the two outside pieces right sides together. Sew down each side and across the bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance, an 80/12 needle, and a stitch length of about 2.5. Leave the top open. Do the same with the lining, but leave a 3" opening in its bottom seam for turning.
Three. Box the bottoms. At each bottom corner, match the side seam to the bottom seam so the cut square opens into a straight line. Sew across that line, then trim the little ear to about 1/4". Do this on both corners of the outside and the lining. Just like that, your bag has a flat bottom about 3" deep.
Four. Turn the outside bag right side out. Leave the lining wrong side out. Slip the outside bag inside the lining, right sides together, and line up the top edges. Sew around the top with a 1/2" seam. Pull the bag through the opening in the lining, stitch that opening closed, push the lining inside, and press the top edge flat.
Five. Make the casing. Topstitch around the top about 1/4" down. Then stitch a second circle about 1 1/4" below the top edge. That channel is your casing. Open a few stitches in one side seam inside that channel — go slow here, folks, so you don't nick the fabric. Thread one 30" cord all the way around and tie the ends. Thread the second cord from the opposite side. Pull both sides, and your bag cinches closed.
Practical tips
Press every seam as you go. I know, it's tempting to skip it. But a pressed seam keeps a bag from looking a little lumpy.
I have absolutely threaded a drawstring all the way around and pulled it straight back out the same hole. The fix is easy. Pin the tail end to the bag while you thread, and it can't follow the leader. Learn from my mistake, y'all.
Want a smaller pouch for notions? Cut your rectangles 8" by 10" instead, and keep everything else the same. Want a bigger project bag? Go 13" by 16". Completely up to you.
Oh my goodness, this is one of my favorite quick makes. One pretty fabric, straight seams, and a bag you'll actually use.
Thanks for sewing along with me, folks. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Banyan 80084-22 IKAT SKETCH PINK 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
