How to sew a drawstring bag: the tutorial

This weekend, I suggest you sew a pouch! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sewer, this is aquick and easy tutorial.

For this tutorial, I have partnered withSnaply, a craft storewhereyou can find all the supplies you need. 🎁Enjoya 10% discount until April 10, 2023, with the code CADIA10ontheSnaply website(excluding gift cards and Cricut/Silhouette products).

What I like about this tutorial is that you can makeseveral items using the same technique. Once you understand how to do it, you can make:

• bulk bagsforyour fruits and vegetables or for all dry foods,
• fabricgift wrapping (and therefore reusable),
• Reusabletea bags for your favorite teas and herbal teas,
• washing nets,
• or evensachets of dried flowerstoperfume your drawers and wardrobes.

Sewing a pouch: my creations

First, I had fun sewing a colorful pouch; it's a nice change from those dreary white bulk bags:

Still in the kitchen, I sewed a tea infuser using organicfabricandfood-grade string:

Ialso made myself a washing net using a patchwork ofcottonandmesh fabric:

Finally, I sewed another bulk bag, but this time I tried outfabric markers! I find it a really fun activity that you can do with children. And to stay with the theme, I usedgreencord (there are lots of colors available on theSnaply website):

As for fabric markers, this was a first for me. I printed a carrot I found onCanva and traced it onto my window. Yes, it was a quick and practical workaround. I then filled in my carrot with colors:

So, does that make you want to sew some pouches?

Materials for sewing a pouch

Now, let's get down to business! In this tutorial, I used a pouch with the following final dimensions:18 x 25 cm. You can adjust these dimensions to suit your needs.

Note: Among my creations, I just used different dimensions for the tea bag: I used two small rectangles measuring 8 x 12 cm and two 30 cm pieces of string (for the cords). For the washing net, I used two 20 x 20 cm squares of net fabric + two 11 x 20 cm rectangles of cotton fabric.

To make an 18×25 cm pouch, you will need:

• Two fabric pieces measuring 20 x 30 cm. For my version, I used140 g/m²cotton poplin. If you are new to sewing, this is the type of fabric I recommend.
• Du sewing thread,
• Two cords 60 cm cotton cords (diameter: 5 mm). AtSnaply, you can have fun with the multitude of colors available.
• chalkoranerasable pen,
• arulerandaset square.
• Extra-finepins.
• Asafety pin.

The tutorial for sewing a pouch

#1: Cutting and preparing the fabric

I cut out my two rectangles (20 cm x 30 cm) using a sewing ruler,a cutting mat, andarotarycutter onfabric folded in half. If you often sew accessories, I highly recommend investing in these tools!

Using chalk or a washable pen, draw a line 7 cm from the top of each rectangle(if you want to sew a tea bag, this line should be 4 cm):

Then overcast orsergethetwo long sides and the bottom edge of each rectangle:

#2: Joining the two rectangles

Place the two rectangles right sides together and pin the three sides below the line you drew earlier:

Then, stitch these three sides 1 cm from the edge. To do this, start sewing from the line (remember to make 2-3 backstitches to secure the thread):

Then, when you reach the right angle (1 cm from the bottom edge):

• leave the needle in the fabric,
• lift the crowbar,
• rotate the fabric so that it is in the correct direction,
• Then lower the presser foot and continue sewing.

Do the same with the other right angle and finish your stitching at the line you drew earlier (don't forget to backstitch 2-3 times to secure your thread).

#3: Making the curtains

Fold one of the long sides of the pouch 1 cm, wrong sides together. Use an iron to mark the fold:

Do the same with the seam allowance just below:

Repeat these last two steps on the other side of the pouch:

Fold one of the top sides inside out along the line drawn with chalk. Then pin to hold this fold in place:

Next, sew 5 mm from the edge on both sides of the unfolded section:

Do the same with the other top edge of the pouch. To do this, unfold it, fold the edge you have just stitched inside out (hold it in place with a pin), then sew two seams 5 mm apart:

Now fold one of the unfinished edges 1 cm toward the inside. Iron the fold to mark it:

Fold the fabric in the same direction so that the fold matches the line drawn with chalk:

Then pin this new fold:

Then fold down the other edge (the one that is not folded) and secure it with a pin:

Stitch the edge (folded twice) as close as possible to the fold:

Do the same with the other top edge of the pouch. To do this, unfold it, fold its unfinished edge inside out by 1 cm, then fold it again so that the fold coincides with the line drawn with chalk. Next, fold the other edge (the one you just stitched) downwards and secure it with a pin. Stitch the edge (the one you just folded twice) as close as possible to the fold:

Your side panels are now sewn: you can turn the pouch right side out and iron it:

#4: Inserting the cords

Start by inserting the safety pin into one end of a cord. Then insert the safety pin into one of the sliders:

Slide the safety pin all the way along the drawstring, gathering the fabric as you go:

Then, when the pin is out, pass it through the hole right next to it, and repeat this step to pull the pin out the other side:

Before going any further, I used heat-shrink tubing to secure the ends of the cord. This is because the cord frays easily:

Finally, tie a double knot to join the two cords:

Finally, all you have to do is insert the other cord, but in reverse order:

Ta-daaaa! Your pouch is finished 🎉🎉

So how did you find this tutorial on sewing a pouch?

WithSnaply, we spoil you: enjoy a 10% discount until April 10, 2023, with the code CADIA10ontheSnaply website(except for gift cards and Cricut/Silhouette products).

Happy sewing, and see you soon!

Cadia