How to Sew an Unlined Drawstring Bag with French Seams (No Raw Edges Inside)

This drawstring pouch is small, but it uses a few clever techniques that make a big difference. It's a step up from a true beginner project, but I'll walk you through every step. By the end, you'll have a bag that looks just as good on the inside as it does on the outside.

What You'll Need

Before you get started, gather your materials:

You'll need one piece of fabric cut to 15 x 31 cm (6 x 12 inches). I'm using 100% quilting cotton, which is easy to press and holds a fold well. You'll also need 75 cm (30 inches) of cotton cord, cut in half, plus a loop turner, safety pin, or bodkin to thread it through at the end.

That's it. Simple materials, clever construction.

A Few Sewing Insights

Sewing the same project more than once is genuinely one of the best ways to improve. The first time, make a shity version to figure out the steps. See the first one as a quick sketch and use cheap or orn fabric. The second time, you already know the steps and can refine and tweak. By the third, it starts to feel easy and you can perfect the details.

Don't let the number of steps put you off. Each one is simple. It's just a matter of taking them in order and take your time. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

If you want to make more drawstring bags in different sizes and styles, I have a full playlist that walks through several variations. Once you've made this one, the others will feel even more manageable.