For years, ditching traditional wrapping paper and embracing reusable gift bags has been my go-to for Christmas and birthday presents. It’s eco-friendlier, cost-effective, and adds a personal touch to gifting.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through creating fabric Drawstring Gift Bags, both lined and unlined versions, without the hassle of measuring! This sewing project is wonderfully simple, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.
Just like you intuitively wrap a gift without measuring paper, this tutorial makes crafting DIY gift bags equally straightforward. The beauty of this method lies in its adaptability – no rulers or complicated calculations are needed.
The more fabric drawstring gift bags you create in various sizes, the easier gift wrapping becomes each year. Imagine having a ready-made stash of bags in different shapes and sizes, ready to grab and go!
While you’ll undoubtedly gift some bags along with presents, the joy is in knowing they can be reused, extending the eco-conscious cycle and subtly encouraging others to reduce their wrapping paper consumption too!
Image: An example of finished no-measure drawstring gift bags showcasing their reusable and handmade nature.
Supply List for Your Drawstring Gift Bags
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- Fabric: The beauty of these drawstring gift bags is their versatility! Quilting cotton is a great choice, but don’t limit yourself. Repurpose old clothes, duvet covers, even upholstery fabric scraps – anything that’s easy to cut with a rotary cutter and sew with your sewing machine will work. (More on eyeballing fabric size based on your gift below).
- Fabric Strip for Casing: You’ll need a strip of fabric as long as the width of your bag (before sewing the sides). This strip will become the drawstring casing. Aim for a width between 2″ and 4″ before sewing, but precise measurements aren’t crucial – just estimate.
- Drawstring Material: Choose a long ribbon, twine, or even a fabric selvedge edge (check out my tutorial on how to make selvedge fabric) for the drawstring tie. Get creative and use what you have!
- Helpful Tools: Safety pin and a chopstick or a Bodkin Threader to easily thread the drawstring through the casing.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Fabric Drawstring Gift Bag
Let’s dive into the simple steps to create these charming handmade gift bags.
Step 1: Eyeballing Your Fabric Size – No Measuring Tape Needed!
There are two approaches to sizing your fabric for these drawstring gift bags:
- Gift-Specific Sizing: Determine the bag size based on a particular gift you need to wrap. This is perfect when you have specific presents in mind.
- Fabric-First Approach: Create bags from fabric scraps and decide what gifts they’ll hold later. This is ideal for using up leftover fabric and building your gift bag stash.
If you’re opting for the fabric-first approach, simply skip ahead to the next step. But if you’re sizing for a specific gift, here’s how to eyeball it:
Gather your fabric scraps – holiday-themed fabric, fat quarters, larger pieces, or even a yard of fabric for larger gifts.
You can make these bags by folding a single piece of fabric in half or using separate pieces for the front and back.
Fold your fabric or lay your “front” fabric piece down and place your gift on top.
Image: Demonstrating how to estimate fabric size by placing a gift on fabric to visualize dimensions for a drawstring gift bag.
Consider the depth of your gift. How many fingers deep is it? This is a rough estimate!
Ensure there’s enough fabric on each side of the gift (when placed on the fabric) to account for the ¼” seam allowance and the gift’s depth.
For example, if your gift (like a book) is about 2 fingers deep, add at least 2 fingers’ width on either side of the book. Adding a bit extra is always better to be safe.
Also, think about the height of your gift relative to the fabric. Remember, the drawstring casing will be positioned roughly a quarter of the way down from the top of the bag. You’ll need some space above the gift before the casing begins.
Trust your instincts and learn to eyeball it! It’s all about relaxed crafting, not perfection.
Image: Showing different fabric pieces prepared for creating lined drawstring gift bags, emphasizing fabric choices and size flexibility.
Once you’re happy with the size, trim any excess fabric or uneven edges to roughly even out the front and back panels of your folded fabric. Again, no measuring – just making sure they are roughly the same size to start.
For an Unlined Bag: Either fold one piece of fabric and cut both sides together, or cut a separate “back panel” to match your “front” panel in size.
For a Lined Gift Bag: Cut two folded fabric pieces to the same size, or cut four separate panels – two for the bag’s exterior and two for the lining.
For my lined bags, I used a cute dachshund polycotton fabric for the outer front panels. The back panels and lining were cut from upcycled men’s shirts.
I’m a big fan of using upcycled materials like old shirts and denim jeans for sewing projects, especially for these DIY fabric drawstring gift bags. You could even incorporate Christmas quilt blocks as the outer fabric, like these adorable Christmas Tree Quilt Blocks.
Again, no measuring! I simply used the edges of my top panel as a template to cut the other panels.
For Both Lined and Unlined: If using separate panels instead of folded fabric, sew the outer bag pieces right sides together along one long edge before proceeding. (Sew your lining pieces separately if you’re making a lined bag, but hold off on attaching it to the outer bag for now).
Step 2: Hemming the Top Edge (Unlined Bag Only)
If you’re making an unlined drawstring gift bag, this step neatly finishes the top edge.
Fold the top edge over twice to encase the raw edge inside.
No precise measurements here either! You can make this hem narrow or a bit wider – it’s your preference (refer to the photos for a visual guide).
Image: Close-up showing the double-folded hem at the top edge of an unlined drawstring gift bag, preparing it for topstitching.
Press the first fold, then fold again and press once more. Just ensure the fold is roughly the same width along the entire fabric edge.
Next, topstitch along the bottom fold line, working from the wrong side of the fabric. Sewing from the back ensures you catch the folded fabric edge in your stitches. I use a stitch length of 3.5 for topstitching.
Note: Skip this step if you are making a lined bag!
Step 3: Creating Your Drawstring Casing
Now, prepare a long strip of fabric for the drawstring casing (you can piece strips together if needed).
It should be as long as the width of your bag panel.
Important: At this stage, the sides of your bag are not yet sewn together. If using folded fabric, unfold it. If you’ve joined front and back panels, lay them flat as one piece.
Image: A fabric strip prepared for creating the drawstring casing, highlighting its role and fabric choice.
A leftover jelly roll strip is ideal, but any strip of fabric slightly narrower or wider will work too!
This strip will be visible on the outside of your drawstring gift bag, so choose a fabric that complements your main bag fabric.
Image: Demonstrating how to fold and stitch the short ends of the casing strip to create a clean finish for the drawstring casing.
Neaten the short ends of your strip by folding each end over twice and stitching along the fold (just like in Step 2). These folds can be slightly smaller than the hem folds in Step 2.
Next, fold the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and sew along the long raw edge with a ¼” seam. Backstitch at both ends.
Once sewn, bring your strip to your ironing board. Pinch the strip so the seam is at the back and the “pretty” side faces forward. Press to set the fold.
You can press the seam open or to one side – either way works. The important thing is to conceal the seam at the back of the casing.
Step 4: Attaching the Drawstring Casing to Your Bag
This step is the same for both lined and unlined drawstring gift bags.
Lay your prepared drawstring casing, seam side down, onto your bag fabric panel.
I usually position it slightly less than a quarter of the way down from the top edge. You can also use your gift as a guide. Place your gift back on the fabric and ensure there’s room below the casing for the bottom seam allowance and a bit of space above the gift before the casing. Again, this is not precise – trust your eye!
Image: Showing the placement of the drawstring casing on the bag fabric, ready for stitching in place.
Once you’re happy with the casing’s position, use your fingers or hand to roughly estimate the distance between the top edge of the casing and the top of the bag.
Use this hand “measurement” as a guide when sewing the drawstring casing in place.
Image: Topstitching the drawstring casing to the bag fabric along both the top and bottom edges of the casing.
Topstitch along the top edge of the casing first, then along the bottom edge. Use a 3.5 stitch length and backstitch at both ends to secure.
Step 5: Sewing the Bag Sides and Bottom Together
Instructions for Unlined Drawstring Bags
Image: Sewing the side and bottom seams of an unlined drawstring gift bag, demonstrating the construction process.
For an unlined bag, simply fold your bag fabric right sides together. Sew down the side seam and across the bottom edge with a ¼” seam allowance.
You can choose to finish the inside seams with French seams, a zig-zag stitch, or by simply clipping the corners before turning the bag right side out. Personally, I skip these steps for simplicity. It’s a gift bag – the focus is on the gift, not inspecting the bag’s interior!
Image: A finished unlined drawstring gift bag, showcasing its simple and functional design.
If you prefer concealed seams, adding a lining (instructions below) is the easiest way to achieve a cleaner finish.
Instructions for Lined Drawstring Bags
For a lined drawstring gift bag, first sew the outer bag as described in the unlined instructions.
Next, sew your lining fabric pieces right sides together along both side edges and across the bottom. Crucially, leave a 3″ turning gap along the bottom seam of the lining. Backstitch at each end of this gap.
Image: Detail showing the turning gap left in the bottom seam of the lining of a drawstring gift bag.
Turn your outer bag right side out and place it inside your lining, which should still be wrong side out. The right sides of the outer bag and lining should be facing each other.
Align the side seams of the lining and outer bag. Sew the two layers together around the top opening edge using a ¼” seam allowance.
Image: Turning a lined drawstring gift bag right side out through the turning gap in the lining.
Pull the outer bag through the turning gap in the lining and turn everything right side out.
Fold in the raw edges of the turning gap and stitch it closed. You can use a machine stitch or hand sew for a more invisible finish. Backstitch at both ends.
Image: Topstitching around the top edge of a lined drawstring gift bag for a polished finish.
Tuck the lining inside the bag and topstitch (3.5 stitch length) around the top edge of the bag for a neat, finished look.
Step 6: Inserting the Drawstring
Almost done!
Now, find your ribbon, twine, or fabric strip for the drawstring. Attach a safety pin to one end to help guide it through the casing.
Remember, your drawstring needs to be longer than the bag’s width before it’s gathered closed. This ensures the drawstring ends don’t disappear inside the casing when the bag is opened.
Image: Inserting the drawstring into the casing of a fabric drawstring gift bag using a safety pin as a guide.
Thread the safety pin through the drawstring casing.
I find using a chopstick to push the safety pin along can be helpful, especially for longer casings. It helps move the ribbon halfway through, reducing the fiddling needed with just the safety pin.
Check out the video tutorial below if you need a visual guide for this step!
Finished! Your No-Measure Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags are Ready!
I truly enjoy making these fabric drawstring gift bags and love gifting presents in them. The satisfaction of creating something beautiful and functional quickly, without the stress of measuring, is wonderful.
Image: A collection of finished drawstring gift bags in various sizes and fabrics, showcasing the versatility of the project.
Image: Inside view of a lined drawstring gift bag, showing the clean finish and the use of repurposed shirt fabric for the lining.
These handmade drawstring gift bags are a fantastic way to use up Christmas fabric remnants or any fabric scraps you have accumulated.
And remember, quilting cotton isn’t the only option! I’ve made these bags from upholstery fabric, upcycled clothing, and old duvet covers – they all look fantastic!
Video Tutorial
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Top Tips for Perfect Drawstring Gift Bags
- Drawstring Threading Tip: If you’re struggling to thread the drawstring, a bodkin threader tool can be very helpful.
- Embellishments: Personalize your drawstring gift bags with a pretty bow, a custom appliqué name, or a handmade gift tag.
- Larger Bags with Flat Bottoms: For larger gift bags, consider boxing the bottom corners to create a flatter base, similar to making a tote bag.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags
How to make small fabric gift bags?
You can easily adapt this method to create smaller drawstring gift bags for smaller gifts. Use the same no-measure technique, but if the bag is very small, a drawstring closure might be less practical. Consider alternatives like snaps, buttons and loops, or simply tying a ribbon around the top. Small gift bags are perfect for gift cards, jewelry, or money.
How to add handles to a fabric gift bag?
If you prefer handles over a drawstring closure, skip the drawstring casing step. Attach bag webbing handles about 2″ down from the top edge of the bag for a tote-style gift bag.
Are fabric gift bags washable?
Yes! Fabric gift bags, especially those made from cotton, are washable. For the first wash, use a color catcher to prevent any color bleeding. Some fabrics might shrink slightly after washing and drying, but most will maintain their size well.
Printable Instructions for Drawstring Gift Bags
For your convenience, here are printable instructions for making these Christmas drawstring gift bags to reference later.
Materials
- Christmas Fabric (or any fabric of your choice)
- Leftover Jelly Roll Strip (or similar fabric strip for casing)
- Long piece of Ribbon (or twine, fabric strip for drawstring)
- Additional fabric for lining (optional)
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Rotary Cutter
- Iron
- Safety Pin
- Chopstick (optional)
Instructions
- Fold one piece of fabric in half or cut two fabric pieces of the same size.
- Estimate the fabric width and height needed for your gift.
- Hem the top edge of the bag by double-folding and topstitching (for unlined bags).
- Create the drawstring casing from a fabric strip equal to the bag’s width (before sewing sides).
- Finish casing ends by folding and topstitching.
- Fold casing in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and sew along the raw edge.
- Press casing flat with the right side up and seam to the back.
- Estimate the distance between the casing and the bag top using your fingers.
- Topstitch the casing to the bag at the top and bottom edges.
- Sew the bag closed by stitching along the side and bottom edges with a ¼” seam.
- For lined bags: skip hemming the top edge. Make a lining the same size as the outer bag.
- Leave a turning gap in the lining, place the outer bag inside the lining (right sides together).
- Sew the two layers together around the top edge, then turn right side out through the gap.
- Close the turning gap by machine or hand sewing.
- Topstitch around the bag’s top edge to finish the lined bag.
- For both methods, thread your ribbon drawstring through the casing, and you’re done!
Other Projects You Might Enjoy
[Link to Homemade Gift Ideas – Insert Link if Available in Original Article, otherwise remove this section if not applicable]
Explore these homemade gift ideas for inspiration on what to put inside your beautiful fabric drawstring gift bags!
