How to make a simple draw string bag

I needed a couple of very simple bags to hold a couple of kids kites so I decided to design and make them. The design is very simple and can be put together in less than an hour.

Materials you'll need:

• fabric
  
• color matching thread
  
• draw string
  
• cord lock
  
• Optional: double fold bias tape
  

First you need to figure out the size of the bag you want to make. I was making very small cylindrical bags with a diameter of about 8cm and a length of 25cm. The measurements I use in this article will all be based on this bag size. You can easily modify all of these measurements for larger or smaller bags.

1. Cut fabric to size. You need to cut two pieces of fabric, one 33cm (length) x 27cm (width), one 10cm x 10cm. The small piece is using a 1cm seam allowance so the final size of it should be about 8cm in diameter. The larger piece width is the circumference around a 8cm circle or about 25cm with a 1cm seam allowance on each end so final width of about 27cm. The length of the larger piece is 25cm high + radius of the small circle 4cm in this case + 1cm seam allowance for bottom + 3cm for the top fold over for a total length of 33cm.
   
   
2. Cut the smaller piece to make it circular. I fold mine in quarters and then cut an arc on the four ends to make it look about circular.
   
   
3. Sew a button hole into the larger piece. Center it on the width and about 3.5cm down from the top with a 1cm length. Use a seam ripper to open the hole.
   
   
4. Sew the two pieces together to form the bottom.
   
   
5. Sew up the length opening.
   
   
6. Using the bias tape, sew up the length and bottom seams.
   
   
7. Fold over the top fabric and sew it up. I used a 2cm fold with a 1cm fold under. With the button hole length at 1cm and placed at 3.5cm, this should result in the button hole being centered in the 2cm fold with about .5cm buffer on the top and bottom of the channel.
   
   
8. The bag is inside out, so turn it right side out now.
   
   
9. Insert the draw string through the button hole and the channel at the top of the bag.
   
10. Attach a cord lock to the draw string and tie the end of the draw string into a knot.
    
    

The completed bag

Bottom view

Top opening

This is what I made the bag for, to hold a small kite and string