My oldest is going to middle school this year. He’ll be starting 6th grade in a couple of weeks, I’m not so sure I’m looking forward to him growing up like this, but what can I do? 🙂 I know he’ll be fine, he is a good kid, but sending them off to middle school is scary. I’m not looking forward to him going to high school in a few years! Anyway, when we went to the middle school orientation a few months ago, we were told that the kids could use a locker, but they recommended that they just use a bag. Not necessarily a back pack, but a draw string bag. So, I decided to see if I could figure out how to make one. It was fun figuring this out too, because I taught my soon to be 6th grader how to sew. It was some fun one on one time with him. (He doesn’t seem to get much one on one time with me since he has three younger brothers.) Today, I’m sharing the 30 minute Draw String Bag Tutorial with you. This post is picture heavy, but I hope that helps to show you how I made this.
Start with your supplies. You’ll need:
- 1/2 yard of fabric (I used cotton, but if I were to do it again, I’d use something a little more durable)
- 4 yards cording (I tried to find nylon, but I couldn’t find any that was very large)
- 6″ webbing
- thread, scissors, cutting mat, rotary cutter
- sewing machine
Start by cutting your fabric. Lay your fabric on your cutting mat, keeping a fold at the top. Cut your fabric to be 15.5″ wide by 19″ tall. If you were to open up your fabric after you cut it, it would be 15.5″ by 38″.
Open your fabric, and on each corner, you need to roll the fabric in about 1/4″ (you can double roll, for a more finished seam) and pin about 2 1/2″ down.
Sew a seam for about 2 1/2 inches. Once all four corners are sewn, fold the top down about 1/4″
and then again about 1″ and pin. Pin all the way across the top (the 15.5″ width).
Sew across the top. This is making sleeve for the string.
Once you have the top of both sides sewn, fold your fabric, right sides together, and start pinning the sides. Because you folded in the top, you need to pin it so it gets back to the width of the bag.
At the bottom corner, you need to add your webbing. I used a lighter to melt/finish the ends of the webbing before I put it in the bag. Use a 3″ piece and fold it in half. Line up the melted ends of the webbing with the edge of the bag, right at the bottom before the fold. Pin it well, so it stays in place. Once you sew along the edges, you’ll sew it into place. I went over it three times, to make sure it would have a good hold. Do this to both sides of the bag. Then trim the corners.
Now turn your bag right side out. It should be resembling a bag now. 🙂 At the top, you need to reinforce the seams. Just below the sleeve for the string, sew back and forth on it about 3 times. This will help it to hold up to the string being pulled through it constantly.
Cut your cord/string into two, 2 yard lengths. With your string, if you are using nylon, melt the ends. Put a safety pin through one end and start pushing it through one of the sleeves.
When you get to the end, turn, and push it back through the other sleeve.
Even out the ends, so you have the same amount on each side. Take the strings down the side, put one through the webbing loop and then tie it.
It should look like this when you are done. Now do the same thing to the other side.
Once you have the string in and secure, you are finished! You should be able to pull both sides of the string, and the bag will close like this.
My son was so excited to make his own bag for school! You could whip some of these out for your kids, or help them make their own.
I hope this tutorial makes sense, but if it is clear as mud for you, please email me or comment and let me know what questions you have.

I love this! Those bags are always over priced and being able to customize it with your own material is awesome.
(visiting from The Creative Collection Link Party!)
Danielle @ Family Centsability recently posted…Frozen Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Dots (kids love them!)
I’m new to sewing and want to make this bag. Curious, did you leave the edges raw or do I need to finish them? Thanks 🙂
I left my edges raw. I’m sure you could serge the edges if you’d like.
Thanks 🙂
You list 4 yards of cording, but only use 4 feet of it?
I had it written wrong. Thank you for letting me know. You cut the cording into two, 2 yard lengths. I fixed it above. I hope that helps. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you for your instructions. I love the bags I made using your instructions. If you want to see…https://jazzydeeblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/t-shirt-to-stringbag/
What are the dimensions of the cording ( how big around)
It is probably about 1/4″ to 3/8″. If I were to make another one, I would just use parachute cording. It is inexpensive and the size is perfect. 🙂
Love the bag! My question is how to secure the knot. Since I used nylon cording, the knot keeps coming loose. Any ideas?
I would use a lighter and melt the ends of the cording right at the knot. I would think that would help secure the knot so it doesn’t keep coming undone. The cording I used is not nylon (I totally thought it was until I just looked at the bag), so I haven’t had this issue. Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you.
Thanks for the directions!! They were perfect! I made a black quilted one with red accents and a disney fabric in the middle for my grandaughter’s first Disney trip. She is ten! She loved it!
Thank you for sharing that you made one! It sounds like it is an adorable bag!! So glad your grand daughter liked it, and I’m glad you liked the tutorial! 🙂 Have a great week!
Your tutorial is so simple!! I am using it for the kids to make the bags to earn their sewing badge in our Caravan program (church scouting program for elementary kids). They were so excited when I showed them what we are making.
Yay! I’m so glad that this tutorial can be helpful for you! That sounds like a fun activity for the kids. Thank you for sharing with me. 🙂
This was easy and didn’t thank a lot of time or money! Thank you! I made one with my 12 year old for 8th grade, it’s a little messy on the sides but she loves it! Anyway, I hope your son had a nice middle school (or high school?) experience! Thank you again for making this tutorial.