Reusable Drawstring Gift Bag Tutorial
Beginner & scrap friendly, no measuring needed - customize to your gift!
Overview
Out with disposable gift wrap and in with these quick and easy lined drawstring gift bags. Spend the afternoon whipping up a handful of fun and reusable gift bags for the holidays. This is a great scrappy project or buy that Christmas fabric you’ve been eyeing, they’re going to look great either way!
Supply list
What you’ll need:
Quilting cotton for the main body of the gift bag
Ruby Star Society fabric from various collections and elements from the Peppermint Please Panel by Sarah Watts were used for this tutorial
Quilting cotton for the lining, cut to the same size as the main body fabric
Grunge from Moda was used in this tutorial
Strip of quilting cotton for the drawstring casing (roughly 2-4 inches by the width of the gift bag)
Ribbon, cord or similar for the drawstring
Safety pin for threading drawstring through casing
Optionally, a hera marking tool for marking casing placement
Optionally, pinking shears for cutting the ribbon
Step-by-step instructions
Preparing your fabric
Main body and lining fabric
Lay a gift on top of fabric similar to how you would with traditional gift wrap to gauge size. Or make several gift bags using various scraps of fabrics and use whichever works best for the size gift you have. (See customization section below before cutting)
Remember to account for seam allowance and the drawstring casing. You’ll want to leave about 2 ½ to 3 inches above the top of the casing to have a nice ruffle.
Drawstring casing fabric
Cut a roughly 2-4 inch wide strip, its length will equal the width of the main and lining fabric.
Finish each end of the casing strip by folding over each end (roughly ¼ inch) two times and edgestitching. (The casing is meant to be narrower than the body and lining fabric widths once hemmed)
Sew the long raw edge of the casing wrong sides together, backstitching on each end.
Roll casing so that seam is centered on (and hidden) in the back. Press seam open to reduce bulk.
Customization
Depending on the size and shape of fabric available, whether your prints are directional and/or personal preference.
One sided vs two sided drawstring
One sided: Best for directional prints. Drawstring pulls on single side. Cut your fabric width twice as wide as your gift width.
- 1 seam will run along the bottom of the bag and up one vertical side
- Cut body and lining fabric the same size
Two sided: More symmetrical design. Drawstring pulls from both sides. Cut your fabric length twice the length as your gift height.
- 2 vertical seams
- Cut body and lining fabric the same size
- Will need to make 2 separate casings and sew to the top and bottom end of the main fabric
Height of drawstring casing
Assess height needed for the drawstring casing strip. A two sided drawstring with cording will need to be wider than a single sided drawstring with small ribbon.
Gift bag assembly
Cut the main body of the bag fabric to desired size. Cut lining fabric the same size.
Lay out the main fabric and decide on drawstring casing placement. The top of the casing should be 2 to 3 inches below the top of the main fabric.
Optionally, use a hera marker to create a crease where the casing will be sewn. This will help as a guide at your sewing machine.
Edgestitch both long sides of the casing onto the body of the bag using about an ⅛ inch allowance. Back stitch at each end.
Fold main fabric right sides together and sew.
One sided bag: Sew down the vertical seam, pivot and sew along the bottom of the bag to the folded edge. Back stitch at each end.
Two sided bag: Sew two vertical seams. Back stitch at each end.
Sew the lining fabric the same way, leaving an opening a few inches wide for turning right side out. Backstitch on each side of the opening.
With the main fabric right sides out, place into the lining so that the right sides of the main and lining fabric are touching. Sew all the way around the opening of the gift bag. Backstitch at the end.
Using the opening in the lining turn the bag right sides out. Once the main fabric is pulled through the lining, sew the lining opening shut. Push lining fabric into the gift bag.
Iron the gift bag opening, roll the seam with your fingers to adjust the lining with the main fabric. Topstitch around the opening of the bag.
Attach a safety pin to the drawstring material and pull it through the casing. Once it’s through the other side, knot the drawstring ends.
That’s it, you’re all done!
A quick, useful project that can be reused for holidays to come.
Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, so that I can see and celebrate your creations!
@nthdegreesewing #nthdegreesewingtutorials
