DIY Easter Drawstring Bags: Easy Step-by-Step Sewing Tutorial

Add a personal, handmade touch to your Easter celebrations with these simple DIY drawstring Easter bags. This step-by-step sewing tutorial shows how to make a small fabric bag with a drawstring casing — perfect for Easter egg hunts, party favors, or small keepsakes. No advanced sewing skills required; follow the pictures and instructions below to create your own customized bags using pastel fabrics, ribbons, or patterned cotton.

Looking to customize further? Use ribbons, iron-on names, fabric paint, or appliqués to make each bag unique for family and friends.

Finished drawstring Easter bags ready for an egg hunt.

Supplies

• (1) Piece of 7 in X 15 in fabric (17.75 cm X 38 cm)
• (2) pieces of cord or ribbon, 24 inches long (61 cm)
• Thread
• Straight Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Tailor’s Chalk, Fabric Pen or Erasable Marker (optional)
• Safety Pin or Sewing Bodkin

Directions

Step 1

Cut the fabric.

If using two pieces of fabric, use the following instructions. If using only one piece, skip to Step 2.

Place wrong sides together and sew the bottom edge together with a 3/8 inch seam allowance (1 cm).

Press open the seam with an iron.

Sew the bottom seam with wrong sides together, then press open.

Step 2

Fold the fabric together, with the wrong sides facing each other and the edges lined up. Pin the fabric together so that it does not move around while measuring.

Fold fabric wrong sides together and pin edges aligned.

On the outer edge of the folded piece of fabric, measure 2 inches (5 cm) down from the top open edge of the short side. Make a mark with tailor’s chalk, an erasable fabric marking pen, etc.

If you are using a wider ribbon and want a larger casing, measure 3 inches down.

Then measure 3/8 inch (1 cm) inwards from the outer long edge. Draw a straight line from the outer edge to the 3/8 inch mark that is 2 inches from the top.

Mark 2 inches down from the top edge to create the drawstring casing.

Repeat the same process on the other side of the fabric.

NOTE: Instead of using chalk or a marker, you could use pins instead.

Step 3

Make a small cut along the line that you drew on each side. Be sure to cut through both layers of fabric.

Cut small slits through both layers where indicated.

Step 4

Open up the fabric to be one long piece, with the wrong side facing up.

On one end, fold the seam allowance (the small piece that you just cut) inward, with right side facing up. Fold the fabric over in a straight line.

Fold seam allowances inward and press to create a clean edge.

(It should be turned in 3/8 inch. You can draw a line with chalk or marker if that helps. Otherwise, just eyeball it to be straight.)

Press the fabric down with your fingers to crease it or press with an iron.

Repeat this process on all four sides of the fabric.

Step 5

Fold the top 2 inch piece of fabric that has the seams pressed in down to meet the cut marks.

The right side of the fabric will now be facing up, and the folded-over piece should be about 1-inch tall, making the drawstring casing.

Fold down to form the casing and sew close to the cut edge.

Pin the fabric in place.

Sew along the bottom edge of the fold, close to the cut edge. You do not want to use a 3/8 inch seam allowance here.

Fold the bag with right sides together and pin ready to sew side seams.

Step 6

Fold the fabric in half, with the right sides together, matching the edges at the top.

Stitch the side seams starting at the casing edge with a 3/8-inch seam allowance.

Pin the fabric together to stay in place.

Stitch down a long side with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. The stitching should start at the corner where the drawstring casing meets the wider piece of fabric. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Trim corners diagonally to reduce bulk at the seams.

Repeat on the other side.

Step 7

Cut the corners diagonally to reduce bulk, being careful not to cut the stitched seams.

Turn the bag right side out and push out the corners.

Step 8

Now you need to cut two long pieces of ribbon. This will depend on the size of your bag.

To figure out how long the ribbon should be, lay it over the top of the bag. Add extra on each side, enough to tie a knot once you are done. Then take that measurement and double it. This will be the size of one piece of ribbon that you need.

You will need two pieces of ribbon in that length to complete the drawstring.

Measure and cut two long pieces of ribbon for the drawstring.

Attach a safety pin to the end of one piece of cord. You could alternatively use a sewing bodkin.

Attach a safety pin to the cord to feed it through the casing.

Insert the safety pin through the casing and work its way across the fabric. Pull out the cord, being sure that there are a few inches left on the other side and the cord is not pulled all the way through.

Put the safety pin through the other casing, working the cord through the casing until it comes out the other side. You will now have a cut end hanging out of each of the casings on one side.

Work the pin through the casing to pull the cord across.

Now, repeat the process but in the opposite way. Insert the safety pin into the casing on the side where the cord is looped (and not cut). Draw the cord through the casing, then bring it back through the second casing.

You will now have two cut ends of cord on each side of the bag, as well as a looped piece of cord on each side.

Tie knots on both sides to secure the drawstrings.

Step 9

Tie a knot with the two cut ends of cord on one side. Repeat on the other.

If using a cord or ribbon that frays, you could wrap the ends with clear tape or apply a little clear craft glue to prevent fraying.

Tie knots on both sides and trim or seal fraying ends as needed.

Optional finishing: add name tags, stickers, iron-on patches, or fabric paint to personalize each bag for children or guests.

A finished Easter bag ready to fill with treats.