Last-Minute Gift Tutorial: Patchwork French Seam Drawstring Bag

I made these pouches this summer, with another project in mind, but things change, so I thought I’d share them with  you here! The bag on the left is made with Into the Woods by Lella Boutique for Moda. I met Vanessa at Quilt Market and she gave me a mini charm pack of her fabric {this was the only fabric I brought home from Quilt Market, since I missed sample spree!}

I know there are quite a few drawstring bag tutorials and patterns out there, but I like to think this one is unique because it uses patchwork but no lining fabric. Perfect for mini charms or to use as gift wrapping!

You’ll need:

• 40 – 2 1/2″ squares
• 1/4 yard woven interfacing – such as Pellon Shape-Flex SF 101
• From coordinating solid cut:
  • 2 – 8 1/2″ x 2″ rectangles (bag top)
  • 2 – 7 3/4″ x 2″ rectangles (drawstring openings)
  • 2 – 21″ x 2″ strips (drawstrings)

Sew together 20 – 2 1/2″ squares into a 4 squares by 5 squares panel. Repeat to make a second panel.

Press the seams in one direction for one row and then the opposite direction for the next row, so that they nest together.

After sewing the rows together, press the middle seams open. This will create a nice, flat bag front.

Cut two 8 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ rectangles of interfacing and fuse to the wrong side of the patchwork piece. Alternately, fuse or sew a piece of fabric to the wrong sides to finish the seams.

Quilt if desired. I quilted 1/8″ along each seam.

Use the two 2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles. Sew one rectangle to the top of the patchwork panel, right sides together.

Press a 1/4″ seam allowance at the top of the solid piece. Then fold it over the wrong side of the patchwork.

Stitch the solid piece in place through the patchwork panel. Repeat for second panel.

Fold the short edges of the two 2″ x 7 3/4″ rectangles and stitch in place. then fold the long edges 3/8″ toward the wrong side and press.

Sew the drawstring sleeves to the rights side of the patchwork panels, just below the solid piece. Then, place the panels wrong sides together and sew along the sides and bottom, back stitching at start and finish. Clip bottom corners near, but not into, the stitching.

Turn the bag wrong side out, then stitch around sides and bottom, pivoting the machine at the corners and back stitching at the beginning and end.

Fold the drawstring strips lengthwise in the center. Then unfold and fold the long edges toward the center, as for bias tape. Refold the center and stitch along long open edge.

Use a large safety pin to feed the drawstring through the both sleeves. Then stitch the short edges together. Repeat with second drawstring.

And there you have a fun, finished patchwork drawstring bag! Enjoy!