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Retro Drawstring Bag

October 23, 2016 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 40 Comments

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of SugarRetro Drawstring Bags are a fun project to use your favourite stash fabrics. I love a quick sewing project that provides an opportunity to combine different fabrics and trims. I needed a couple of small gift bags for upcoming birthdays. The Retro Drawstring Bags were so much fun to make and a brilliant way to incorporate those treasured scraps and lace motifs into a project. I used fabrics from the Retro 30’s Child Smile Spring 2016 Collection by Lecien fabrics, but any small-scale prints would work in this project.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

These lined drawstring bags measure 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches.  They feature two co-ordinating prints on the outside of the bag separated by lace/trim. A lace motif has been added to the centre front for added interest. You can find lace motifs on Etsy (search for “lace motif”) or you can add a small patch or iron-on applique.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

Pink and brown always work so well together and remind me of Neopolitan Ice-Cream. Vary the scale on the prints.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

I love small fruity prints like this sweet print featuring apples, strawberries, and blossoms. I picked up this button trim on a holiday in Japan a few years ago – I love collecting supplies on my travels.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

I love my Vintage French Mother of Pearl Buttons – old haberdashery supplies have so much history!

If you would like to make your own Retro Drawstring Bags, here are some instructions to get you started. Drawstring bags are an easy project. Due to their size, these ones are a little more fiddly when sewing the channel for the drawstring.

Materials (for one bag):

  • Fabric 1: Cut 2 rectangles measuring  5  x 3 1/4 inches
  • Fabric 2: Cut 2 rectangles measuring 5  x 4 1/4 inches
  • Fabric 3: Cut 2 rectangles measuring 5 x 7 inches
  • Trim or lace: 12 inches
  • Cord: 30 inches
  • Lace motif

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

Method:

  1.  Place Fabric 1 and 2 together with the right sides facing, and one 5 inch edge aligned. Stitch together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press seam open. Repeat for the other Fabric 1 and 2 pieces.
  2. Position the trim so that it is covering the seam between Fabric 1 and 2. Pin the trim in place and then stitch along both edges to secure. Repeat for the front and back of the bag.Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

3. Pin the front and back of the bag together with the right sides facing as shown. With a pin, mark 1 inch down from the top edge, and 1 1/2 inches down from the top edge as shown on the photo below.

4. Using a large cotton reel as a template, trace a rounded corner on both bottom corners and cut along the curved line to give the bag a rounded bottom.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

5. Starting at one top edge, sew the sides and bottom of the bag. Leave a gap on each side between the pins. This will become the channel for the drawstring. Press and turn the bag.

6. Round the bottom corners of the lining. Stitch the lining together as shown, leaving a 1 1/2- 2 inch gap in the bottom for turning. (as shown by the pins in the image below).

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

7. Position the exterior of the bag inside the lining so that the right sides are facing and the top edge of the bag is aligned. Stitch around the top edge of the bag using 1/4 inch seam allowance. Carefully turn the bag out the right way through the gap in the lining. Press. Hand stitch the gap in the lining closed.

8. To stitch the channel for the drawstring, stitch around the top of the bag, 3/4 inch from the top edge. Sew slowly and keep manipulating the fabric. Sew a second line 1 1/4 inches from the top edge. Use the seam guide on your sewing machine throat plate as a guide or alternatively mark the line with a water soluble marker or hera marker.

9. Cut the cord in two pieces. Using a small safety pin, thread the cord through the gap in the side seam. Thread it right around the bag and out the same side. Repeat on the other side with the other piece of cord. Tie the ends of the cord and trim the ends.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

10. Hand stitch the lace motif to the centre front of the bag. (You could also attach this at Step 2 if you prefer).

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

The options for embellishing these little Retro Drawstring Bags are endless. They are perfectly sized to hold small gifts or supplies. I love to use them to hold gift cards or small items of jewellery. Be warned – it is hard to stop at one! They are multiplying in my sewing room.

Retro Drawstring Bags Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar

Check out our Christmas Retro Drawstring Bag, a variation of the Retro Drawstring Bag.

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Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Tutorials Tagged With: gift wrapping, retro, sewing, sewing tutorials

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Comments

  1. Gina Antignani says

    October 23, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Do you close the lining gap? If so when it didnot say. Some small gift,tags on cord with a,word desciribing inside gift or name of person getting gift or a “handmade,by “??” For “you” all hand stiched or marker for,type of tag.

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      October 23, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Hi Gina – lovely idea to incorporate a gift tag – might do this on the ones i am making for Christmas.

      Reply
    • Lynn says

      March 28, 2022 at 2:13 am

      Hello Lisa & Sarah
      Your creations are one of a kind this I know comes from the Lord, I’m very delighted that I came across
      your site.. Greaty appreciate youe work. Greeting from USA Maine. Sincerely, Lynn Laf

      Reply
    • Pamela Knott says

      March 17, 2024 at 10:22 pm

      In #6.

      Reply
  2. Kay says

    October 23, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Just lovely, thank you so much for the tutorial. x

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      October 23, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      You are very welcome Kay! Thanks so much for stopping by and have wonderful week.

      Reply
      • Diane says

        October 27, 2018 at 9:02 pm

        Want to thank you for excepting me. An this bag is Awesome

        Reply
  3. Annie perry says

    October 23, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Always read through your beautiful blog, I just L?Ve it! 🙂 thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas, I just recently made a gaggle of sachet pillows for a friend, and have a get together coming up that I will incorporate one of these beautiful bags. We are stamping cards, some seasoned scampers and some new scampers and thought how perfect to give them each a bag to take home their treasures in! ??thank you so very much!

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      October 23, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks so much Annie – what a lovely idea to give your friends theses at your next card making gathering. have a wonderful week.

      Reply
  4. Ann says

    October 23, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    These are so cute! Are going to be perfect as packaging for Christmas gifts – hmm, need some Christmassy fabric! Thanks as always for another great project. x

    Reply
  5. Lily says

    October 24, 2016 at 2:43 am

    So pretty and original, Lisa 🙂 thanks! I love your tutorials; I really must think of an occasion to make one of this for

    Reply
  6. Iya says

    October 24, 2016 at 4:18 am

    So nice pouch! Fabric and design are excellent. Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      October 24, 2016 at 6:28 am

      Thanks Lya – they are so much fun to make!

      Reply
  7. michelle linhoff says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:33 am

    These are just so lovely! I can see why it’d be hard to stop making these….they are adorable! Thanks for sharing 😉

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      October 24, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      Thanks Michelle for your sweet message – I have plans for more! Enjoy your week.

      Reply
  8. Ulrikes Smaating says

    November 12, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    such a loveley tutorial, i sew four little bags efter your pattern :0)
    perhaps will you take a look on it on my blog?
    Greetings from denmark
    Ulrike

    Reply
  9. Maxine Singleton says

    February 4, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    These bags are gorgeous and I adore your photography & styling! I’m a newbie blogger on dressmaking and your photos have inspired me to find some stylish ‘props’! Thank you.

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      February 5, 2017 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Maxine – I love vintage haberdashery and I enjoy adding some of my treasures to my photos.

      Reply
  10. Charo says

    August 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    I love them, thanks so much for the tutorial

    Reply
  11. Ela says

    September 8, 2017 at 8:39 am

    These are just lovely!!!

    Reply
  12. Vicki says

    October 6, 2018 at 11:35 pm

    I cut per pattern, but my lining is much larger than bag exterior. Anyone else have this problem?

    Reply
    • Timea says

      November 19, 2018 at 9:33 pm

      Maybe your measurements are off or you were not following the sewing allowance guideline. I just did this bag and it turned out very pretty. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Allison says

    January 29, 2019 at 12:00 pm

    Girly Dice Bags!!!!!!! <3

    Reply
  14. Debra says

    January 8, 2020 at 6:35 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I made a dozen of these litlle bags & filled them with Ferrero Roche chocolates for my husband to give to the ladies at work for Xmas. They were a great hit!

    I think I might be making more at Easter for my granddaughters;)

    Reply
  15. Jill Davies says

    May 19, 2021 at 1:58 am

    Thanks for this great tutorial. Your bags are so pretty and cute. I am looking for ideas to make bags for the “Hope in a Suitcase” scheme for foster-care children and I think these drawstring bags would be perfect for either girls or boys.

    Reply
    • Jayme says

      February 7, 2022 at 12:16 am

      THANK YOU for telling me about HOPE IN A SUITCASE! I looked it up online and now I’m really excited about helping!

      Reply
  16. Sandy says

    August 23, 2021 at 11:37 pm

    Great bag to store small hand sanitizer and mask! Hang on backpack, purse, and keep in car.

    Reply
  17. Kate Mackey says

    December 20, 2021 at 1:12 am

    I have been sewing different types of gift bags for years and want to find patterns that are pretty but do together quickly. This pattern is PERFECT. Thank you so much. I will be checking in regularly for other ideas.

    ^–^
    >k< Stay healthy and sew!

    Kate

    Reply
  18. Lynda R says

    January 7, 2022 at 10:04 am

    Oh WOW these are just the most delightful little bags. Brilliant gift ideas for Christmas, birthdays & other special dates throughout the year. They’d be perfect for making those end of year ‘teacher’ gifts 🙂 Brilliant 🙂 Thank you for sharing your tutorial.

    Reply
  19. Betty Domal says

    March 14, 2022 at 10:28 am

    Is there a written tutorial for the Retro Drawstring Bags that is more consolidated than printing all of these pages?
    I would love to make some, but would like written instructions.

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      March 30, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Hi Betty – this is a free tutorial and as such is not formatted for printing. I do sell many PDF Patterns for similar projects in my Pattern store which have full sized templates and are more professionally presented. shop.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com

      Reply
  20. Jennifer says

    July 21, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    Thanks for this pattern. The little bags are so cute and I found the tutorial very easy to follow.
    Do I have permission to make some bags to sell on a stall to raise funds for charity?

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      July 21, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      You are welcome to make and sell in small quantities. I would appreciate that you marketed it as made from a pattern by A Spoonful of Sugar Designs.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        August 1, 2022 at 9:25 am

        Thank you Spoonful of Sugar. I will definitely credit you.

        Reply
  21. Robin says

    April 11, 2023 at 7:43 am

    Thank you for the patterns & tutorials you share. They are always welcome.

    Reply
  22. Ellen Pringle says

    March 17, 2025 at 8:51 am

    Your items are always so cute an direction are great
    Enjoy !!

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      March 24, 2025 at 7:35 am

      Thanks so much Ellen! Happy sewing.

      Reply
  23. Doce Outono says

    May 9, 2025 at 4:15 pm

    Eu amo saquinhos, acho tão úteis para organizar e os seus ficaram tão lindos, com uma combinação de cores harmoniosa. Parabéns!

    Reply

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