How To Make A Drawstring Purse

You guys know I love bags and I have a special one to show you today. I’m going to show you How To Make A Drawstring Purse! I have been searching for something simple and easy to make and this is a great project. This cute little purse is handy for all kinds of things and the drawstring opening makes it quick and simple to get to your stuff. You can make one of these for yourself and one for the kids. I even made one to keep up with some of my smaller sewing accessories and it worked out great. I used some fun print fabric for mine, but you can use whatever you want or already have on hand. The binding on this project makes this bag look nice and finished on the edges. If you are new to sewing on binding, don’t be intimidated. We show you how to make this bag step-by-step below. This sewing project is great for beginners and would make a nice gift for friends and family. You can scale the size of the bag up or down to meet your needs and put whatever you want in it. 

So, gather up your supplies from the list below and let’s get started making this fun little bag!

What You’ll Need:

• ½ yard of main fabric
• ½ yard of lining fabric
• ½ yard of interface
• 39” (100cm) drawstring
• 1 5/8” (4cm) bias tape
• Matching Thread
• Sewing Clips
• Sewing Machine
• Iron or heat press
• Thread Clippers
• Scissors
• Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, & Ruler

How To Make A Drawstring Purse

Step 1: Cut out the Pieces of the Drawstring Purse

The first step in this how to make a drawstring purse sewing tutorial is to cut out your fabric pieces according to the cut list below:

• 2 pieces of main fabric at 7 ½” x 2 3/8” (19cm x 6cm).
• 2 pieces of main fabric, 2 pieces of lining fabric, and 2 pieces of interface at 7 ¾” x 8 ¾” (19.5cm x 22cm).
• 1 piece of main fabric at 3 ¼” x 10” (8cm x 25cm).
• 1 piece of main fabric, 1 piece of lining fabric, and 1 piece of interface 2” x 22 ½” (5cm x 57cm).

Step 2: Prepare Front and Back of Bag

Take the main pieces of the purse (the 7 ¾” x 8 ¾” pieces) and cut the bottom corners in a slight curve. The best way to do this, is to take one of the pieces and measure 1” vertically and 1” horizontally from a corner and start and finish the curve at these marks. Once you have one corner cut you can fold the fabric over and use the one side as a pattern for cutting the second side. 

Once you have one piece cut you can use that piece as a pattern piece for the other pieces. 

Prepare the front and back of the purse by heat pressing the interface to the main pieces of the fabric. 

Step 3: Prepare Closure Piece

Now on this easy sew drawstring purse turorial,t the 7 ½” x 2 3/8” pieces and fold over the shorter edges 3/8” and press. Do this for all short sides, and then sew a straight stitch on these folds. Once the shorter edges are sewn, fold the piece longwise wrong side to wrong side. 

Step 4: Construct Front and Back of Bag

Take one of the large main fabrics (7 ¾” x 8 ¾”)  and place it right side up. Next, take the piece you just folded and place it on the main piece: You should place it on the short side without the curved edges, and make sure the raw edges of the folded piece are aligned with the raw edge of the main fabric. 

Next, take the inner fabric and place it facing down, right side to right side on the main fabric. The folded piece should be in the middle. Pin and sew the edge with the folded piece using a straight stitch with a 3/8” inseam. 

Flip right side out and then sew a straight stitch along all four sides of main piece. Repeat these steps for the other side of the bag. 

Step 5: Prepare Strap

Next on this easy sew drawstring purse project, take all of the 2” x 22 ½” fabric. Place the interfacing to the back side of the main fabric and heat press. Set aside all three pieces. 

Take the 3 ¼” x 10” piece. Fold lengthwise to create a crease. Unfold and then fold one side to the crease and heat press. Do the same with the other side, and then fold lengthwise one more time. 

Sew a straight stitch down both sides of the folded piece.

Take the main fabric of the long piece and place it right side up. Next, take the folded piece you just sewed, and place its short edge to one of the short edges of the main fabric. Next, place the inner piece on top of the main piece right side to right side. The shorter folded piece should be in the middle of the long pieces. Pin the short side together.

Next, take the folded piece and bring the other short side of that piece to the other short side of the long piece. Sandwich it between the main and inner fabric and pin. Sew the two short sides using a straight stitch and then flip right side out. Sew a straight stitch all the way around the four edges of the long piece.

Step 6: Attach Bias Tape

Now on this drawstring purse sewing turorial we will work on the bias tape. Take either the front or back of the pouch and place it right side up. Next, take the bias tape and unfold it. Pin one side of the bias tape all the way around the sides and bottom. Make sure to leave about ½” extra of the bias tape at both top ends. Sew the bias tape onto the three edges. Repeat this step on the other side of the bag. 

Step 7: Attach Bottom and Side of Purse

Grab one of the main pieces and the piece with the strap attached. Pin the strap piece to the main piece with inner sides together. Sew along the three sides.

Grab the other main piece and then pin and sew it the same way. 

Step 8: Finish Bias Tape Sides.

Once the sides are all on the purse, we will now finish the bias tape sides. Fold the bias tape once halfway down, and then another time wrapping around the edge of the purse. Wrap and pin the bias tape around all the edges. Sew a straight stitch to secure the bias tape to the purse. 

Step 9: Thread the Drawstring and Secure

For the last part of this drawstring purse sewing turorial, we will work on the closure for our bag. Cut the drawstring in half so that you have two pieces. Start on one side of the bag and thread the drawstring through one side and then out and through the other side. The drawstring will end on the same side of the purse.

Next, take the other drawstring and thread it starting on the opposite side of the purse from where you started the first drawstring. Thread it through one side and then through the other side. Tie off both pieces of draw string. 

That’s it! Now you know how to make a drawstring purse!

If you liked learning how to make a drawstring purse, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, be certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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