Beginner Sewing Tutorial: Simple Drawstring Bag

Are you looking for a fun & easy craft to make this weekend?  This simple bag takes minutes on a sewing machine and it is simple enough for a child to make. Set aside about a half an hour for this project for a new sewer. This was the first time my daughter used my sewing machine (and an iron!) and there was a lot of explaining to do along the way. You will want to stand right behind your child as they sew to help guide fabric, tell them when to press the pedal (and stop) and to press the back-stitch lever. Both of my girls made these simple drawstring bags for their recorders. Here’s how to do it!

You will need: A sewing machine, fabric, iron, a safety-pin, scissors

Before you begin determine the size of your bag and cut the fabric allowing 2″ larger.

Step 1: Iron the fabric. Always iron, do not skip this step! Parents, supervise!

Step 2: Fold down 1/4″ of fabric from the top and press. This is on the drawstring end, this will keep the fabric from fraying.

Step 3: Fold down 1″ of fabric (this is for the drawstring to go in) and press.  Sew along the edge of the folded fabric.

Step 4: Fold the fabric right-sides together (and press) keeping the drawstring seam together and starting from the bottom sew the end and side seam stopping after you go just past the drawstring seam (see next photo.) Make sure you back-stitch the beginning and end of this seam to lock the threads!

For the drawstring fold the fabric right sided together and press, sew along 2 sides and turn right side out (use a pencil to help you push the fabric right side out), press and turn the raw end inside and stitch along that end.

Step 5: Use a safety-pin attached to the end of the drawstring to feed the drawstring through the drawstring seam.

Step 6: Turn the bag right side out and you are done!

My girls now have cute new bags to keep their recorders clean and identifiable and best of all they made it themselves! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!