New PDF Sewing Pattern Lined Drawstring Gift Bags in 3 Sizes

Oct 7

4 min read

Gift wrapping can be beautiful, useful, and handmade all at the same time. My newest PDF sewing pattern for Sew Chill Sewing Studio is a lined drawstring gift bag pattern designed for exactly that: simple sewing, pretty fabric, and wrapping that can be used again and again.

This beginner-friendly pattern is now available in my new Etsy shop for Sew Chill Sewing Studio at sewchillsewingstudio.etsy.com. It includes three useful sizes, a fully lined finish, and two ribbon drawstrings that pull the bag closed with that satisfying little cinch at the top.

If your fabric stash has been quietly asking for attention, this is a very happy way to use it.

Three lined fabric drawstring gift bags beside a white sewing machine in a sunlit sewing room. Red polka dot, red poinsettia, and blue holly bags showcase the three sizes in the Sew Chill Sewing Studio PDF sewing pattern.

A reusable drawstring gift bag pattern for everyday giving

This pattern walks you through sewing a fully lined drawstring gift bag with a clean inside finish. The bags have flat bottoms without boxed corners, which keeps the construction simple and beginner friendly.

The design works beautifully for holiday gifts, but it is not limited to December sewing. Choose Christmas fabric for festive reusable wrapping, or pull out florals, novelty prints, solids, or favorite fat quarters for birthdays, teacher gifts, book-lover presents, party favors, and handmade swaps.

A handmade drawstring gift bag also feels like part of the present. The recipient can reuse it, store little treasures in it, or pass it along with another gift.

This is the kind of project that is easy to personalize without changing the construction. A cozy flannel look, a bright birthday print, a modern solid with patterned ribbon, or a sweet novelty fabric can all change the mood of the bag.

What comes in the PDF sewing pattern

The listing is for a digital PDF pattern only. That means no finished bags, fabric, ribbon, or sewing supplies are included. You will download the pattern and sew the bags yourself.

Inside the pattern, you will find:

One 12-page downloadable PDF
Three tested bag sizes from Sew Chill Sewing Studio
Cutting charts with seam allowances included
Illustrated sewing instructions
Step-by-step construction photos
Inch measurements with a metric reference
Custom-sizing instructions
Printing guidance and pattern-use information

I love a sewing pattern that gives clear instructions without making the project feel fussy. This one is designed to help you cut rectangles, sew straight seams, press, turn the lining, and thread the drawstrings with confidence.

Buy the Pattern button in dusty blue with white lettering and a right-pointing arrow.

Three reusable Christmas drawstring gift bags on a wooden console beside books and festive greenery. Red polka dot, red floral, and blue holly bags display the three sizes available in the Sew Chill gift bag sewing pattern.

Three finished sizes for different gifts

The pattern includes three sizes, measured width by height with the bags laid flat and open.

Size	Finished measurement
Small	6″ × 8″
Medium	9″ × 12″
Large	12″ × 16″

The bags have a gathered closure at the top, so the usable space below the ribbon casing is about 1½″ shorter than the full height. It is also smart to leave room for the thickness of the gift inside.

Here are a few ideas for how each size might work:

Small Little treats, jewelry boxes, ornaments, handmade soap, gift cards with a small extra, or party favors
Medium Paperback books, craft supplies, cozy socks, small toys, candles, teacher gifts, or baked goods in a container
Large Pajamas, larger books, fabric bundles, plush gifts, craft kits, or a collection of smaller presents

Since the pattern includes custom-sizing instructions, you can also adjust the dimensions once you understand the basic construction. That makes it a practical pattern to keep in your sewing library.

Why this is a great stash project

This pattern is especially fun if you have quilting cotton you have been saving for just the right project. A couple of fat quarters can become a special gift bag, and smaller fabric cuts can turn into something both pretty and useful.

It is also a satisfying way to use seasonal prints. Holiday fabric, birthday fabric, character prints, novelty cottons, and favorite blenders all work well. Think of it as Christmas wrap, stash buster sewing, and a thoughtful handmade detail all in one.

Because the bag is lined, you can have fun pairing fabrics. Try a bold exterior with a quiet lining, or use a surprise print inside. The lining peeks out slightly when the bag is open, which makes those fabric combinations extra sweet.

Peek Inside the Pattern graphic showing the Drawstring Gift Bags cover centered over partial cutting-chart and photo-instruction pages. Sew Chill’s 12-page digital sewing pattern includes three sizes; no finished bags are included.

Beginner friendly, but still polished

This pattern is a good fit for someone with basic sewing machine familiarity. You do not need to sew zippers, buttonholes, curves, or boxed corners. The main skills are straightforward and useful for many future projects.

You will practice:

Cutting rectangles accurately
Sewing straight machine seams
Pressing seams and edges
Turning a lining through an opening
Making a drawstring casing
Threading ribbon with a safety pin or bodkin

The two-drawstring closure gives the bag a classic pull-to-close finish. Pull both ribbon ends in opposite directions, and the top gathers neatly closed. It looks polished, but the method stays approachable.

For best results, take your time with pressing. Pressing is one of those small steps that makes a simple project look cleaner and more handmade in the best way.

Supplies you will need

The supply list is simple, which makes this a nice project to start without a big shopping trip.

You will need:

Woven quilting cotton for the exterior and lining
½″ grosgrain ribbon or narrow smooth cord
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Iron
Ruler
Fabric marker
Scissors
Pins or clips
Safety pin or bodkin

Quilting cotton is a great choice because it is easy to sew, easy to press, and available in so many prints. Grosgrain ribbon gives the closure a crisp look, while smooth cord can give the bag a softer or more rustic feel.

Close-up of hands with red nail polish using a safety pin to thread red grosgrain ribbon through the casing of a blue holly-print drawstring bag. Red floral lining is visible inside the handmade fabric gift bag.

A little joy to sew and give

These lined drawstring gift bags are the kind of project that can fit into a quiet afternoon, a holiday sewing plan, or a last-minute handmade gift idea. They are practical, pretty, and easy to make in multiples once you get started.

Use your favorite seasonal fabric, cut into a couple of fat quarters, or pull from the stash bin and make something useful from fabric you already love. The finished bags feel thoughtful before the gift inside is even opened.

The new Sew Chill Sewing Studio PDF pattern gives you three sizes, clear instructions, and room to make each bag your own. It is a small project with a lot of charm, and a lovely way to sew a little joy into your next gift.