This time, we’ll show you how to make a drawstring tote bag using half-width fabric♪

You’ll need just 1 meter of half-width fabric, about 70 cm wide. This project uses almost all of the fabric, with very little waste. If you use Oxford fabric, the bag will be sturdy enough without fusible interfacing.

The drawstring closure helps keep the contents out of sight. When you pull the strings, the bag takes on a rounded shape, making it both practical and cute.

Estimated time: Approx. 2 hours

What Is Half-Width Fabric?

Fabrics imported from Europe are mainly available in wide widths of about 140 cm.

We created half-width fabric, about 70 cm wide, to make it easier for customers to enjoy these fabrics in a more manageable size.

The cut edges of this fabric are finished with an overlock stitch to help prevent fraying.

The drawstring tote bag introduced here can be made using almost all of 1 meter of half-width fabric, with very little waste. There are also only a few tricky steps, making it a great project for anyone new to bag making!

Half the Width: Now About 70 cm Wide!

Materials

  • Outer fabric (Oxford fabric): 52 × 45 cm — 2 pieces
  • Lining fabric: 52 × 45 cm — 2 pieces
  • Handle fabric: 58 × 9 cm — 2 pieces
  • Drawstring cord: 1 m each — 2 pieces

※For both the outer fabric and lining, cut a 5 × 5 cm square from each bottom corner to prepare for making the gusset.

1. Sew the Outer Fabric and Lining into Bags

Place the outer fabric pieces right sides together, and do the same with the lining pieces. Sew along the sides and bottom with a 1 cm seam allowance.

Leave an opening of about 10 cm along one side of the lining so you can turn the bag right side out later.

Also, to make openings for the drawstring, leave the top 7–10 cm of both side seams of the outer fabric unsewn.

2. Sew the Gussets

Press the seam allowances of the outer fabric and lining open with an iron.

Open each cut-out corner and align the fabric so that the side seam lines up with the bottom seam. Mark the fabric to keep it from shifting, then sew with a 1 cm seam allowance.

3. Make the Handles and Baste Them in Place

Fold each long edge of the handle fabric 1 cm toward the center. Fold it in half again and press it with an iron to shape it.

Topstitch along both long edges, about 2 mm from each edge.

Attach the handles 10 cm inward from each side seam of the outer fabric.

Make sure the handles are not twisted, then baste them in place 5 mm from the fabric edges.

4. Sew the Outer Fabric and Lining Together

Place the outer fabric and lining right sides together. Sew all the way around the top opening of the bag.

Slowly turn the entire bag right side out through the opening left in the lining.
Shape the bag neatly, then sew the opening closed.

5. Topstitch Around the Bag Opening

Tuck the lining inside the outer fabric and shape the bag neatly. Then, topstitch all the way around the top opening.

6. Sew the Drawstring Channels

Mark a point 7 cm below the top edge of the bag, then make another mark 3 cm below the first one. Use these marks as guides to sew two rows of stitching all the way around the bag, creating the drawstring channels.

To keep the outer fabric and lining from shifting while sewing, secure them with pins or sewing clips beforehand. This will help you get a neat finish.

7. Insert the Drawstrings

Following the diagram, thread one cord through each side of the drawstring channels, for a total of two cords.

Finally, tie the ends of the cords, and your drawstring tote bag is finished!

Finally

When you pull the drawstrings, this tote bag takes on a soft, rounded shape. It’s easy to make, yet its cute design makes it a little different from an ordinary tote bag.

Since we used Oxford fabric, the bag is sturdy even without fusible interfacing. Changing the fabric print can completely change the look of the bag, so you might want to make several in different colors and patterns!♪

Be sure to check out the imported fabrics and other materials we used below!

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About Us
Nippon Chuko Ltd. (日本紐釦貿易株式会社）
We are a trading company specializing in handicraft supplies and apparel materials, founded in Osaka in 1917.
We offer a carefully selected range of products to customers around the world, both in our store and through our online shop.

Official Websites & Social Media
Company Website: https://www.nippon-chuko.co.jp/global-nippon-chuko/
Chuko Online (Online Shop): https://www.nippon-chuko.co.jp/shop
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