Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial

These bags, which can easily be sewn from fabric scraps, are ideal as gift wrapping – perhaps helping to reduce the enormous mountain of paper waste that accumulates every Christmas. 

Furthermore, the recipient receives an additional gift along with the (reusable) bag; later, the bag can be used for something else. 

Lined fabric bag 

1.)

You will need:

2 pieces of outer fabric, 13cm x 23.5cm (of course, you can adjust the dimensions if you want to sew a smaller or larger bag)

2 pieces of lining fabric, also 13cm x 23.5cm

a strip of lining fabric: 3cm x 45cm (you can also use a cord, ribbon, bias tape, etc.)

2a) Take one of the outer fabric pieces and mark the position for two buttonholes. I measured 7 cm down from the top edge and 5.5 cm from each side towards the center.

2b) Sew the buttonholes (using the automatic buttonhole function on your sewing machine) and carefully cut them open.

3.)

3a) Place the two outer fabric pieces right sides together and topstitch along three sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3b) Repeat the same process with the two lining fabric pieces.

Trim the seam allowances slightly.

4a) Turn the lining bag right side out and slide it into the outer fabric bag so that both are right sides together, with the "pretty" sides facing each other.

4b) Pin the bags together all the way around the top opening. Make sure the side seams are aligned.

4c) Sew all the way around to join the outer and inner fabrics, leaving an opening of about 3-5 cm.

4d) Turn the outer fabric and lining right side out through this opening.

5.)

5a) This is how it should look now. You should iron everything at this point.

5b) Now turn the lining bag inside out. Iron.

5c) Topstitch close to the edge of the bag – this joins the outer bag and lining bag together and prevents them from shifting. It also closes the turning opening.

6.)

6a) Draw a marking line slightly above and slightly below the bag.

6b) Sew along the marking lines, through both layers of fabric. This works best with the free arm function of your sewing machine.

7.)

Now the drawstring for the bag is sewn.

7a) Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise; press.
7b+7c) Unfold the fabric strip and fold the two outer edges towards the center. Press.
7d) Fold the strip once more – all raw edges should now be facing inwards.
7e) Sew the fabric strip closed.

8.) 

8a) You can now thread your finished ribbon through the buttonholes using a safety pin.

8b) Tie knots in the ends of the ribbon so it can't slip out.

9.)

I used my little bags, filled with sweets and nuts, as St. Nicholas' Day gifts for my niece and nephew. For larger gifts, you could, of course, sew bags in different sizes; you could also use fabrics with Christmas/winter motifs, especially for Christmas. I think it would also be nice to decorate the bags with appliqués (e.g., with the initial of the recipient's name). And, of course, you could – next year then ;-) – sew 24 bags for an Advent calendar...