Simple Drawstring Pouches: A Free Sewing Pattern by Emma Munnti

There is something deeply satisfying about a project you can finish in an afternoon. No complicated instructions, no expensive materials, no wondering halfway through whether you made a terrible mistake. Simple drawstring pouches are exactly that kind of project — quick to cut, quick to sew, and endlessly useful once you are done. This free pattern by Emma Munnti gives you everything you need to make a collection of these versatile little bags, whether you are a complete beginner picking up a needle for the first time or an experienced sewist looking for a fast and rewarding make.

In this post, we are going to walk through the pattern in full detail, from choosing your fabric to finishing the drawstring casing and threading the cord. Along the way, we will cover sizing options, fabric suggestions, tips for beginners, and ideas for how to use your finished pouches. By the time you reach the end, you will have everything you need to sit down and start sewing.

Why Drawstring Pouches Are Worth Making

Before we get into the how, let us talk briefly about the why. In an age when you can buy a cheap bag at any corner store, why bother making one yourself?

The answer is simple: a handmade drawstring pouch is better in almost every way that matters. You choose the fabric, so it looks exactly the way you want. You control the size, so it fits whatever you need to carry. You know exactly what went into it, which matters if you are making gifts or products for sensitive uses like storing jewelry, crystals, herbs, or handmade soaps. And there is the undeniable pleasure of using something you made yourself, which never really gets old no matter how many projects you complete.

Drawstring pouches are also genuinely practical. They work as gift bags, reducing waste compared to single-use paper bags. They make excellent storage for small items that tend to get lost — earrings, coins, dice, buttons, hair ties. They are popular at craft fairs and in handmade shops because they have wide appeal and can be made in bulk without the kind of sewing fatigue that sets in with more complicated garments. They are beloved by crafters at every skill level for good reason.

Emma Munnti’s simple drawstring pouch pattern is designed to be accessible. It uses straightforward construction, minimal materials, and no tricky techniques. The casing is sewn from a single piece of fabric, which means no lining drama and no fussy seams to hide. It is, in the best possible sense, a no-nonsense pattern.

What You Will Need

One of the nicest things about this pattern is how little you need to get started. Here is a complete list of materials.

Fabric. For a standard-sized pouch, you will need a rectangle of fabric measuring approximately 20 cm wide by 40 cm tall, or about 8 inches by 16 inches. This gives you a finished pouch of roughly 18 cm by 17 cm, which is a versatile size suitable for a huge range of uses. If you want a smaller pouch, scale the rectangle down. If you want something larger, scale it up. We will talk about sizing in more detail in a moment.

Cord or ribbon. You will need two lengths of cord, each measuring about twice the width of your finished pouch plus a little extra for the knots. For the standard size, cut two pieces of cord at around 60 cm or 24 inches each. You can use cotton cord, satin ribbon, leather lace, twine, or any similar material that threads smoothly and holds a knot.

Scissors or a rotary cutter. Precise cutting makes sewing much easier. If you have a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat, use them. If not, sharp fabric scissors and a ruler will do the job perfectly well.

Sewing machine or needle and thread. This pattern absolutely can be hand-sewn if you prefer that method or do not have a machine. A running stitch or backstitch works well. That said, a sewing machine makes the job faster, especially if you plan to make several pouches at once.

Pins or sewing clips. These hold your fabric in place while you sew. Clips are particularly useful for heavier fabrics.

An iron. Pressing your seams and folds as you go makes a noticeable difference in the finished look, so keep your iron nearby.

A safety pin or bodkin. You will use this to thread the cord through the casing at the end.

Choosing Your Fabric

Fabric choice makes a big difference in both how easy the pouch is to sew and what it looks like when finished. Here are some thoughts on the best choices for different situations.

Cotton quilting fabric is the classic choice for beginners and experienced sewists alike. It is easy to cut, presses beautifully, and is available in a staggering range of prints and solids. Quilting cotton is lightweight enough to fold neatly but substantial enough to hold its shape, making it ideal for all-purpose pouches. If you are just starting out and unsure what to use, start with quilting cotton.

Canvas or denim produces a much sturdier pouch, well-suited to things that get heavy use. A canvas drawstring bag for gym shoes or art supplies will hold up to real wear and tear in a way that lighter cotton might not. Keep in mind that heavier fabrics require more effort to sew through, especially at corners and seams, so a machine is more practical than hand-sewing for these.

Linen gives a beautiful, natural look that is especially popular for packaging handmade goods. A linen drawstring pouch has an earthy elegance that suits soap, dried herbs, lavender sachets, and similar products wonderfully. Linen frays more than cotton, so finishing your raw edges (with a zigzag stitch, pinking shears, or a serger) is worth doing.

Velvet or velveteen creates luxurious pouches that feel lovely to hold and are perfect for jewelry or special gifts. Velvet can be tricky to sew because it shifts around, so use plenty of pins or clips and sew slowly.

Printed cotton or novelty fabrics let you make pouches that are genuinely fun and personal. Holiday prints make charming gift bags. Children’s prints make great little bags for dice, crayons, or hair accessories. Novelty fabrics featuring animals, plants, geometric designs, or favorite characters turn a simple pouch into something with real personality.

Whatever fabric you choose, pre-wash and press it before cutting. This prevents shrinkage after the pouch is finished and removes any stiffness from sizing or folding.

Understanding the Sizing

The beauty of this pattern is that it scales easily to any size you need. Here is a quick reference for three common sizes, using finished dimensions as a guide.

A small pouch, about 10 cm by 12 cm (4 inches by 5 inches), is perfect for jewelry, earbuds, coins, or a single lip balm. To make this size, cut your fabric to approximately 13 cm wide by 30 cm tall.

A standard pouch, about 18 cm by 17 cm (7 inches by 6.5 inches), is the go-to size for most uses. It fits toiletries, a small collection of cosmetics, a deck of cards, a set of dice, or a bundle of loose items. Cut your fabric to approximately 20 cm wide by 40 cm tall.

A large pouch, about 25 cm by 30 cm (10 inches by 12 inches), works well as a project bag, a shoe bag, a gym bag, or a sizable gift bag. Cut your fabric to approximately 28 cm wide by 66 cm tall.

These measurements include seam allowances of about 1 cm (slightly under half an inch) on the side seams and at the hem, with extra height to accommodate the drawstring casing at the top. As you become more comfortable with the pattern, you will quickly develop an intuition for how to adjust the dimensions to suit your needs.

Step-by-Step: How to Sew a Simple Drawstring Pouch

Now let us get into the actual sewing. These instructions follow Emma Munnti’s pattern using the standard size, but the process is identical for any size you choose.

Step one: Cut your fabric. Using your measurements, cut a rectangle of fabric 20 cm wide and 40 cm tall. If you are using a directional print (one with a clear up and down), make sure the print is oriented correctly before you cut. Press the fabric lightly with your iron to remove any creases.

Step two: Hem the top edges. Fold the top short edge of the rectangle down by about 0.5 cm (a quarter inch) toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press this fold with your iron, then fold it down again by 1 cm (just under half an inch). Press again. Stitch along the folded edge to secure it. Repeat this on the other short edge. These hems will form the neat top edge of your casing channel.

Step three: Create the casing openings. With the fabric lying right side up, measure down from each hemmed top edge by about 2.5 cm (one inch) and mark this point lightly with a fabric pen or chalk on both sides of the rectangle. These marks indicate where you will leave gaps when sewing the side seams — gaps that will become the openings through which you thread the drawstring cord.

Step four: Fold and pin. Fold the fabric in half with right sides together so that the two hemmed edges meet. The fabric is now a rectangle half its original height. Pin or clip along both side edges, leaving the gaps open at the marks you made in the previous step.

Step five: Sew the side seams. Starting at the hemmed top edge, sew down the side seam with a 1 cm seam allowance until you reach your marked gap. Backstitch to secure the stitching. Leave the gap open (do not sew across it), then start sewing again below the gap and continue down to the bottom fold. Repeat on the other side. You now have a tube with two open channels near the top.

Step six: Finish the seam allowances. If your fabric frays, run a zigzag stitch along the raw edges of both side seams, or pink them with pinking shears. This step is optional on tightly woven fabrics but prolongs the life of any pouch.

Step seven: Sew the casing. Now you will connect the casing. With the fabric still folded right sides together, fold down the hemmed top edge by approximately 3 cm (about one and a quarter inches) so that the hemmed edge faces inward. Press and then stitch across the entire width close to the fold, about 0.5 cm from the folded edge. This creates the channel through which your cord will run. Sew a second parallel line of stitching about 1.5 cm below the first to create a neat, defined casing. Make sure you are catching both layers of fabric as you sew.

Step eight: Turn right side out. Gently push the fabric through to the right side and use a blunt tool or your finger to push the corners out neatly. Press the whole pouch with your iron.

Step nine: Thread the cord. Attach a safety pin to the end of one length of cord. Insert it into the casing opening on the left side, thread it all the way through the casing, and bring it out the same side it entered. Knot the ends together. Take the second length of cord, insert it into the casing opening on the right side, thread it all the way through in the opposite direction, and bring it out the same side. Knot those ends together as well. When you pull both cords outward from opposite sides, the pouch will draw closed.

That is it. Your drawstring pouch is complete.

Tips for Getting a Great Result

A few small habits make a noticeable difference in the finish of your pouches. Press every fold before you sew — it really does improve accuracy and appearance. Sew slowly around the corners and at the start and end of each seam to keep your stitching straight and your backstitch neat. If your machine skips stitches on heavier fabric, try a slightly larger needle. And do not skip the pressing step at the end; a good press transforms a limp pouch into something that looks properly finished.

If you plan to make these as gifts or to sell at a market, consider adding a small label inside. You can purchase woven labels or print iron-on labels at home. A simple tag with a name or a small logo adds a professional touch that people notice and appreciate.

For a more polished look, you can also tie the cord ends in a bow knot rather than a simple overhand knot, or thread wooden beads or small charms onto the cords before knotting them. Small details like these elevate a simple pouch into something that feels genuinely special.

Ideas for Using Your Finished Pouches

The possibilities are genuinely wide open, and that is part of what makes this project so enjoyable to come back to again and again. A few favorites from the crafting community:

Use them as reusable gift bags for birthdays, holidays, or weddings. A beautifully made fabric pouch is itself part of the gift, and many recipients will keep using it long after the contents are gone. For wedding favors, small pouches in a coordinating fabric look lovely holding a handful of sweets, a pair of earrings, or a small candle.

Fill them with dried lavender, rose petals, or cedar chips to make sachets for drawers and closets. Linen or muslin works especially well here because the scent can breathe through the fabric.

Use them to organize inside a bag or suitcase. Cables, chargers, and earbuds can live in a small pouch. Jewelry can travel safely without tangling. Medicine, coins, or emergency items can be tucked into a pouch that is easy to find at the bottom of a larger bag.

Sell them at craft fairs or in an online shop. Drawstring pouches are perennially popular, move quickly, and can be made in batches in an evening. Choosing fabrics that fit current trends or seasonal themes keeps the product range fresh.

Make them as party favors at children’s events. Fill them with small toys, stickers, or sweets. Choosing a print the birthday child loves — dinosaurs, unicorns, space rockets — makes each favor feel genuinely personal rather than like an afterthought.

A Note on Making More Than One

Once you have made your first pouch and understand the construction, the pattern becomes almost effortless. Many experienced sewists cut out and assemble a batch of ten or twenty pouches at once, working through each step in sequence across all the pouches before moving on to the next step. This assembly-line approach is faster and more efficient than completing each pouch individually, and it means you build up a collection quickly.

This is also a wonderful pattern for using up fabric scraps. Because the pieces are small, you can work through your stash in a satisfying way, turning remnants that seemed too small to be useful into something genuinely lovely. Mismatched pouches in different fabrics look charming together and make great sets.

Final Thoughts

Emma Munnti’s simple drawstring pouch pattern is the kind of project that earns its place in your permanent rotation. It is fast enough to complete in a single sitting, flexible enough to adapt to any fabric or size, and useful enough that you will never run out of reasons to make more of them. Whether you are sewing for yourself, for gifts, or for sale, this pattern gives you a reliable, satisfying result every single time.

If you make a pouch using this pattern, it would be wonderful to see your finished work. Share your makes, leave a comment with your questions, and enjoy the very particular pleasure of a project well and simply done.

Happy sewing.