Learn to make a round bottom drawstring bag that stands on its own with this free pattern and tutorial. You can use it for just about anything, is reusable, roomy and beautiful. This easy sewing project takes about half an hour to make and is beginner-friendly.
I love things that are just as practical as they are cute, and I love the polished look of this beautiful flat bottom drawstring bag.
What is so great about a drawstring bag with a flat bottom?
First, I like being able to easily see what’s in there. Then, adding or removing items from it is much quicker than with a two-dimensional drawstring bag.
The circle bottom adds a nice touch to a simple drawstring bag that is straightforward and quick to sew.
One more detail – the drawstring closure is 1 1/2 inches from the top edge of the bag and is very tight so you don’t have to worry about small things falling out.
Related: Free drawstring dice bag pattern and tutorial
Cute 3D Drawstring Bag Tutorial
This beautiful bag is perfect for gifts, easy travel, or storing kids’ toys, jewelry, makeup, or candy.
I made it with a single layer of 100% cotton fabric, so it’s not lined. You may not want to use this bag for carrying heavy items, but it would certainly be more durable if you made it from canvas or denim fabric.
However, the bag is holding up nicely and stands on its own as well when the bag is empty as when it’s full.
You only need three relatively small fabric pieces to make this round bottom drawstring bag, so it’s a scrap busting project.
It took me about half an hour to make it from scratch, but if you are a complete beginner take your eyes off the clock! Just take your time and don’t rush the process, it will come up much faster the second time.
Related: My foolproof method for making a basic zipper pouch
I also included a free pattern for the circle bottom in case you don’t have a bowl in the same size as mine, or a compass to draw the 5 7/8” (15 cm) diameter circle.
Sewing supplies – flat bottom drawstring bag
- free PDF pattern – ad-free version. Download below
- fabric – cotton, canvas, denim
- ribbon or cord – 2 pieces, each one measuring two times the width of the bag, plus 2 inches
- sewing machine
- needle
- matching thread
- sewing pins
- sewing gauge
- fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- iron
Step 1
Cut the three fabric pieces – one 5 7/8 inches diameter circle (see the free PDF pattern) and two rectangles – each measuring 9 3/8” in width and 10 inches in height.
Step 2
Serge the 10” edges. I used a directional print, so it was easier for me to see the top and the bottom of the bag. If you’re sewing with a non-directional fabric, avoid confusion by using a pencil or chalk to mark the 10” edge.
Step 3
With the right sides together, pin the serged edges. Use vertical pins to mark two points on each side of the bag – the first 3 1/2” and the second 4” from the top of the bag – and leave this portion unsewn.
This is going to come in handy a bit later when we’ll make the casing for the drawstring cord.
Sew the side seams of the bag with a 3/8” seam allowance, and remember to leave that 1/2” gap at the top of your bag open.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing.
Step 4
Press the seam allowances open and stitch into place around that small opening.
Sewing the seam allowance in place is our best chance of getting it out of the way. Otherwise, the safety pin will most likely get stuck in there while trying to insert the cords into the casing.
Step 5
Pin the fabric circle to the bottom of the bag – double-check the position of that opening – and sew it with a 1/2” seam allowance.
Then finish the seam with a serger or pinking shears.
TIP:
Sewing a curve is not hard if you think of the curve as a number of small straight stitches. It’s useful to adjust the stitch length to 2.00 or 2.5 mm so you can sew more slowly.
Every third or fourth stitch or so, you have to lift the presser foot and pivot the fabric slightly before putting the foot back down as you sew. This helps you guide the needle around the curve. If you’ve never sewed around a curve, here’s a useful Youtube tutorial that can help you.
Step 6
Serge the top edge of the drawstring bag. Then turn it over 2 inches, and check on the right side of the bag to make sure the opening is in the right place.
Now let’s create the drawstring channel. We aim for two lines of stitching parallel to the folded edge, one above and one below the small opening.
The distance between the rows should depend on how thick your drawstring cord is. For a thin cord, a 1/2 inch spacing works just fine, but for wider cords, you might want to go up to 1 inch.
Step 7
Attach a safety pin to the end of one cord and insert it through all the way around. Tie the two ends together into a knot.
Then, insert the other piece of cord from the opposite side. Having two strings is awesome – that’s what cinches the bag’s top closed when pulled.
And your round bottom drawstring bag is ready to be filled with whatever you like!
I’m in love with this cute drawstring bag that stands on its own like a champ! It really makes me want to sew some more.
Hi, when measuring the 2 inch openings, why do
You measure one side 3.5 inches down and the other 4 inches down? Why wouldn’t want to do them the same distance?
Hi,
Thank you for pointing this out! I apologize for any confusion caused by the phrasing! What I meant is that you should use pins to mark two points on each side of the bag: the first pin at 3 1/2″ and the second at 4″ from the top. This will create equal openings on both sides.
So cute – thank you for this! I am completely new to sewing and have a question: why sew together two pieces of square fabric rather than cut out one piece that is double the length? ‘Just trying to understand better. Thanks again : )
Hi S. Ogden,
Sorry for the late reply! That’s a great question. We need 2 fabric pieces because we need to leave 2 small openings on each side, to insert the drawstring cords. You can of course make the bag from one continuous piece, but then you have to adjust the measurements to account for one missing seam allowance on one side. Therefore, your one fabric piece will be 2x larger than the initial fabric, minus 1 inch. I hope that helps!
Thanks for this easy to follow pattern. I’m planning on making “glam bags” for our group of Gogos (Grandmothrs) who are raising funds for African grandmothers. I will line the bags and use some classy fabric that I’ve purchased from the local thrift store. I hope they will be a hit.
Thank so much, Lauris! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you! Lining the bags is a great idea – it improves the overall product quality and makes them much more appealing to any audience. Best wishes for a successful fundraising event!
I want to make Santa sacks out of red velvet with the white furry top and embroidery on them will I need to do anything different
this is just what i’m looking for to make animal crossing bell bags for my daughter’s party favors
thank you! xx
Thank you beautiful! It took a lot of time to make this tutorial and I am grateful!! Thanks Judy
Thank you, Judy! Lovely comments like yours make my day. Wishing you all the best!
Loved this tutorial. Will use for my acnh bell bags. 🤞
I’ve just seen your comment after using this tutorial to make an acnh bell bag. Hope you are as happy as I am!
I read this was a free PDF pattern and tutorial. But, all I find is a PDF for the circle. I don’t want to print all of this out without all the unnecessary (ads) that are here. Just wondering why most of you guys don’t provide a downloadable pattern and tutorial? I realize it’s free, and I appreciate that, but it takes a while to copy and paste everything to make my own file. Makes me want to move on somewhere late where I can get an all in one PDF to save until I’m ready to make something.
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for the suggestion, it didn’t cross my mind and I’m not sure yet how to do it, but it’s definitely something to think about.
You do realize it is free Brenda, right? When bloggers and designers create something for FREE, they only make money with ads on their blogs, MOST designers that offer patterns for free do NOT create PDFs because then you would have no reason to be here and see the ads. Many designers actually charge if you want it in PDF form. So maybe just be THANKFUL she is offering the pattern for free or like you said, go somewhere else, you are NOT hurting her by not using her pattern. It is so sad that more people complain than compliment especially when someone is offering something for free.
Love this pattern! I made lined drawstring bags for yard dice Christmas presents last year. Going to try to make bags for ring toss games with 18” circular wood bases this year. Will line them or use denim. Fingers crossed that they turn out well!
Wow, I’m so glad you like it! Thank you, Brenda!
I think your tutorial is well done! So many tutorials I look at are not as thorough nor as well explained as yours. Keep up the good work!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for your kind words! <3 You made my day! 🙂
Thank you for the great tutorial! I am wanting to make one a little bit bigger for game tiles, can you tell me how would I go about enlarging the pattern? thank you!
Hi Kari,
Please take a look at this post https://icansewthis.com/drawstring-dice-bag-pattern/
If you plan to store heavy items in your bag, I think it would be better to make it lined.
What size do you have in mind for your circle piece?