Say Hello to Your New Favourite drawstring Bag Pattern!
The Patchwork Drawstring Bag that Does the Impossible…
You know those projects that just click? The ones that are clever, cute, scrap-friendly and surprisingly satisfying to sew?
Well… this is one of those patterns.
Meet my latest sewing obsession: the Patchwork Drawstring Bag – a scrappy little stunner with a big secret.
Wait… what’s the secret you may ask?
This bag uses a totally clever and simple construction method, that keeps your patchwork completely intact – even when you box the corners!
That’s right! There’s no chopped-up squares, no sad mismatched bits and no extra fuss. Just perfect patchwork panels, all the way to the bottom. Yep even its butt is a cutie.
Whether you’re a confident beginner or a seasoned maker, this one’s got something just for you:
–Scrap-friendly – finally, a fun way to use those fabric squares you’ve been hoarding, without committing to a quilt.
–No zippers – just a smooth drawstring closure (cute + practical!), perfect if you’re still shy with zippers.
-That corner magic – did I mention the squares stay whole? Because… they do. No weird half-chopped bits. None of your perfectly curated patchwork will be lost. everything is completely visible.
-Quick finish – perfect for gifting, market prep, or just a satisfying weekend sew. The hardest part will be picking your fabric and then don’t blame me if you can’t stop at just one.
–Modern-meets-vintage vibes – classic patchwork, fresh silhouette. Make it you, with classic florals or bold geometrics. Sprinkle in a few fun fussy cuts, the odd quilt block or two. The possibilities really are endless.
Oh and did I mention there are 4 sizes…mmhmm 4 sizes to choose from. While designing this pattern, I made it my mission to bring you practical sizes that could be used in everyday life. Not just cute, but super practical and functional too.
Now, What Can You Use It For?
Oh, pretty much everything:
– Project bags for knitting or crochet or sewing on the go.
– Makeup or travel pouches
– Gift bags that are too good to throw away
– Everyday essentials (yes, snacks count- no judging here!)
– Matching sets, because once you make one… you’ll want to make five. And did I mention all the sizes nest inside each other too.
Now what about things you’ll need…
-Your favourite fabric – scraps welcome, the scrappier the better if you ask me.
-Fusible fleece – gives your bag oomph, and the perfect stand-up structure – no floppy bags here. You can use cotton batting as an alternative…. I talk about this in the pattern. but I highly recommend the fleece, huge game changer in your bag making.
-Something for the drawstring – some kind of cotton braided cord, paracord, t-shirt yarn, ribbon or you can make your own. Now finding cute drawstrings to use is actually really hard. I’ve found a few different ones on Etsy… See the links below and see if any of them are right for you.
- Braided cotton cord here and here and here (love the colours in the last link)
- Paracord here (sooo many cute colours here, I personally love using paracord)
- T-shirt yarn here
-Pattern – we can’t forget the pattern right!? you can find it right here.
Let’s Talk Skills
If you can sew a straight line, press a seam, and wrangle a drawstring, you’re ready.
No fancy tools. No expert experience is required. Just you, your scraps, and a little bit of sewing magic. All the instructions are step-by-step with full-colour photos and extra diagrams to help you along the way. Plus, there’s no gatekeeping here. I share my best tips and exactly everything I do to make the whole process smooth sailing.
Ready to Sew perfect patchwork corners? They’re no longer a dream. They’re a drawstring bag away my friend.
You can find the pattern here in my Etsy Store.
If you make one, please share it with me. I’d love to see your work. Use the hastags #patchworkdrawstringbag or #maandmedesignspattern on Instagram.
Any questions or comments please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. I’m only ever an email away.
Happy sewing,
Kellie. Xx.
Ma & Me Designs 