Drawstring Round-Bottom Bag – Free Sewing Tutorial

If you’re looking for a fun and functional sewing project, a drawstring round-bottom bag is an excellent choice. Whether you’re a seasoned sewing enthusiast or just starting out, this versatile bag is perfect for carrying small items, organizing your belongings, or gifting to loved ones. This free sewing tutorial will guide you through the process step-by-step, making it easy to create a beautiful and professional-looking bag. Let’s get started!

1. Materials You’ll Need

Before beginning the project, gather the following materials:

Material	Description
Fabric (Outer)	1/2 yard of sturdy cotton or canvas fabric.
Fabric (Lining)	1/2 yard of lightweight cotton for the lining.
Drawstring Cord	2 pieces, each 30 inches long.
Thread	Matching color to your fabric.
Scissors	For cutting fabric and thread.
Sewing Machine	For faster and neater stitching.
Pins or Clips	To hold fabric pieces together while sewing.
Fabric Marker	For tracing patterns.
Iron	For pressing seams and fabric.
Ruler or Measuring Tape	To measure and mark dimensions accurately.

Once you have everything ready, it’s time to start sewing your bag!

2. Cutting the Fabric

To ensure the bag has a round bottom and drawstring closure, precise measurements are essential. Follow these guidelines to cut your fabric:

1. Outer Fabric: Cut a rectangle measuring 16 inches by 12 inches (for the body) and a circle with a diameter of 6 inches (for the bottom).
2. Lining Fabric: Cut identical pieces to match the outer fabric – one rectangle (16 inches by 12 inches) and one circle (6-inch diameter).
3. Drawstring Casings: Cut two strips from the outer fabric, each 16 inches by 2 inches.

Use a fabric marker and ruler to ensure accuracy, and double-check your measurements before cutting.

3. Preparing the Drawstring Casings

The drawstring casings are essential for threading the cords and closing the bag. Here’s how to make them:

1. Take one of the 16-inch by 2-inch strips. Fold the short edges inward by 1/4 inch and press with an iron.
2. Fold the strip lengthwise in half, wrong sides together, and press again.
3. Open the fold and press the long edges inward toward the center crease.
4. Refold along the original crease, hiding the raw edges inside. Pin or clip in place and repeat with the second strip.

Set these aside for now; you’ll attach them later.

4. Sewing the Bag Body

Now it’s time to assemble the body of the bag:

1. Place the outer fabric rectangle right sides together and sew along one short side using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This will form a tube.
2. Repeat the same process with the lining fabric rectangle.
3. Attach the circle bottom to the open edge of the tube, pinning it in place first to match the edges evenly. Sew around the circle with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
4. Repeat the process for the lining fabric, ensuring that the seams are neat and secure.

You should now have two separate bag components – the outer shell and the lining.

5. Attaching the Drawstring Casings

Here’s how to attach the casings to the outer bag:

1. Position one casing strip about 1 inch below the top edge of the outer bag. Pin or clip it in place, aligning the folded edges.
2. Sew along both long edges of the casing strip, ensuring you leave the short ends open for threading the cord.
3. Repeat with the second casing strip on the opposite side of the bag.

This step creates two channels for the drawstring cords.

6. Assembling the Bag

Once the main components are ready, it’s time to assemble the bag:

1. Turn the outer bag right side out and leave the lining wrong side out.
2. Insert the lining into the outer bag, aligning the top edges and side seams.
3. Pin or clip around the top edge, leaving a 2-inch opening for turning.
4. Sew around the top edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, then turn the bag right side out through the opening.
5. Tuck the lining into the bag, press the top edge flat, and sew a topstitch around the edge to close the opening and secure the lining.

7. Adding the Drawstrings

The final touch is threading the drawstring cords:

1. Take one cord and thread it through both casings, starting and ending on the same side.
2. Repeat with the second cord, starting on the opposite side.
3. Tie the ends of each cord into knots to prevent fraying.

Pull the cords to gather the fabric and close the bag. Your drawstring round-bottom bag is now complete!

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your drawstring round-bottom bag! This project is not only practical but also a fantastic way to showcase your sewing skills. You can customize it with different fabrics, patterns, or embellishments to suit your style or gifting needs. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create these charming bags in no time. Happy sewing!

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