How to Make a Flat, Square Bottom Drawstring Dice Bag (Free Pattern)

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This quick and easy drawstring dice bag pattern is lined and has a square, flat bottom. You can use it to hold anything!

One of the first things I learned to sew on the machine was a drawstring pouch when I was 12. I had scrounged up every penny of my red envelope money to purchase (with the help of my parents) a sewing machine. The purchase came with free sewing lessons, and a drawstring pouch was one of the beginning projects that we learned.

So….if a 12 year old beginner sewist can make a drawstring pouch, so can you!

sewing TUTORIALS for beginners

If you’ve never sewed before, or consider yourself a beginner, check out the following resources before you start:

• How to Thread a Sewing Machine Upper Thread
• How to Wind and Thread a Bobbin
• 10+ Hacks to Thread a Sewing Needle
• 19 Essential Sewing Stitches Every Beginner Should Know

Easy SEWING PROJECT with Free Pattern

This simple drawstring dice bag is fully lined and has a flat, square bottom. Even if you consider yourself a beginner, don’t be intimidated! The detailed step-by-step tutorial below will guide you to success!

The pouch also has two drawstrings, one on each side for easy closure. This way, it securely closes the bag without the need for a cord stopper. You definitely don’t want your treasured dices or other trinkets accidentally falling out the pouch!

Box Bottom Drawstring Bag Pattern

To grab the free medium sized drawstring bag pattern in the regular version (same fabric), simply subscribe to our email list and you will receive the password to the MindyMakes Free Resource library.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A FLAT BOTTOM DRAWSTRING BAG?

First, you will sew two of the (almost) same pattern pieces separately to make a lining and an exterior.

Next, you will sew the lining and exterior pieces together and turn them to the right side. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. The tutorial and photos will make much more sense once you get started.

SQUARE Bottom Drawstring POUCH – So Handy and Useful

The finished bag is approximately 6” (15.24cm) tall with a bottom that measures 4.5″ x 4.5″ (11.43 cm x 11.43 cm). It will hold 150-200 dice and is also great for toiletries, jewelry, sewing threads, and more!

Additionally, the square bottom bag stands on it’s own whether it’s empty or full. This way, the bag doubles as a container/holder to keep your belongings in place!

Once you sew one (and realize how easy it is), you’re going to want to sew a bunch more to organize other stuff and give away to friends. I love these easy sewing projects that are super useful and quick to make!

What if I need A Different sized Bag?

The Dice Bag PDF Pattern is available for purchase in my etsy shop in size SMALL, MEDIUM, and LARGE. PDF pattern also includes an ad-free version of the tutorial so you can easily print it out and refer back to it as you sew.

Additionally, PDF Pattern comes with the exact pattern for making color blocked versions of the bag in all 3 sizes, as pictured. Absolutely no need to trim and cut the pattern!

What do I need to Make this Easy Sewing Project?

MATERIALS:

1. Pattern: Drawstring Dice Bag Pattern (available in my free resource library) – get the password by subscribing.
2. Fabric – I used 100% cotton, but can use other types of fabric (velvet, satin, silk, canvas, denim). If you are a beginner I recommend 100% cotton as they are easy to work with
   EXTERIOR: 1/4 of a yard (9″ or 22.86cm). Fat Quarters work great.
   LINING: 1/4 of a yard (9″ or 22.86cm). Fat Quarters work great
3. Fusible Interfacing – optional, 1/4 of a yard (9″ or 22.86 cm)
   I didn’t use interfacing for the bag you see in the tutorial and it stands up well , with a little bit of slouch. However, interface it to the exterior fabric if you want your bag to stand more firm. You can also use canvas fabric for the lining and that will stabilize the bag even more.
4. Cord – Two pieces 24″ (61cm) each. I used a black cotton cord from Joann’s.
5. Wooden Beads – optional, for decorative purposes. I used these Printed Wooden Beads from Joann’s.

TOOLS:

• Sewing machine with zigzag function
• Serger (optional) – for finishing the raw edge of fabric
• Fabric Scissors – these Ginghers Fabric Shears are my favorite.
• Pins or Sewing Clips
• Bodkin – alternatively, use safety pins
• Chalk – for marking fabric
• Clear Ruler
• Matching Thread
• Iron – for pressing

How Do YoU Make a Dice Drawstring Bag? Easy step-by-step Tutorial With Pictures

Piecing Drawstring Dice Bag Patterns Together

Print drawstring dice bag pattern and cut and paste the pieces together as instructed.

The Exterior Pattern has PIECE A and PIECE B that need to be taped together.

The Lining Pattern has 2 Pieces (PIECE 1 and 2). You will need to cut one piece of lining on fold.

Cut out the paper pattern pieces on fabric. You will have the following pieces of fabric:

• EXTERIOR PIECE (x2)
• LINING PIECE (x1)

How to Sew Bag Lining

First, mark the triangular dart lines (yellow line) on wrong side of lining.

Next, fold lining pattern in half and sew sides together at 1/2” seam allowance. Leave a 1.5-2 inch (4-5 cm) opening on side seam, closer to the bottom of the bag. Making sure to back stitch on both sides of opening. The purpose of this opening is so we can turn the bag to the right side later on.

Third, sew the two side darts together (dotted green line). Do not sew the middle dart lines (solid yellow line) just yet.

Note: Green dotted line indicates where you will need to sew

Now pinch open the bottom of the lining so the middle darts match each other as shown in the photo. Sew middle darts together.

LEFT: Bottom of Lining piece after darts sewn together
RIGHT: Top view

Cutting and Sewing Bag Exterior

Cut out Dice Bag Exterior Pattern Pieces. Use chalk to mark darts (solid black line) on wrong side of fabric

Place Dice Bag Exterior Pieces right sides together and sew at 1/2” seam allowance. Leave a 1” opening on the sides, 1.5” from top edge of fabric. Sew bottom darts on the side together, leaving the middle dart (solid yellow line) open.

Note: Black dotted line in photo indicates where you will be sewing.

View of opening. Make sure you back stitch at both ends of the opening. This opening is where the drawstring will eventually go.

Now sew middle dart lines together (on bottom of bag), just like the way you did for the lining.

Sewing Drawstring Dice Bag Together

(I retook photographs of this section to more clearly document the process, that’s why the fabrics changed. The lining is the solid colored fabric and the exterior fabric has the floral pattern)

You will now have a bag exterior (left) and bag lining (right)

Place bag lining inside of bag exterior, right sides together. The wrong side of lining and wrong side of exterior will both be facing outwards.

Match side seam of lining (there’s only one) with one of the side seams of exterior piece. Pin/clip all around the top and sew together at 1/2″ (2.57 cm) seam allowance.

LEFT: Remove the sewing machine extension arm and sew all around the bag at 1/2”(2.57cm) seam allowance (black dotted line).
RIGHT: You will end up with exterior and lining sewn together, with an opening at the lining.

Turn bag to right side through lining opening.

Push lining into bag exterior.

LEFT: View of bag from the top.
RIGHT: Use invisible ladder stitch to close the opening of the lining.

Top Stitch and Sewing Drawstring Channel

Give the drawstring bag a good press. Then take it to the sewing machine to make 3 straight stitches around the bag:
Line 1: 1/8”(3mm) from top edge, this is the top stitch
Line 2: 3/4”(2cm) from top edge, this creates the top of drawstring channel
Line 3: 1.5” (2.8cm) from top edge, this creates bottom of drawstring channel

View of drawstring bag after top stitch and drawstring channel stitches are made. Almost done! All you have to do is to insert drawstrings and you will be finished!

Inserting Drawstring Cords

Use a bodkin threader to thread the drawstring. First thread one piece of drawstring cord entering from the left side all the way around the bag and exit left side again.

View of bag with one drawstring cord.

Another view of first drawstring cord threaded through bag. I like to leave about 3.5”-4” (9-10cm) of excess cord length.

Next, thread second piece of drawstring cord from right side all the way around and exit the right side.

You will end up with two drawstrings, one on each side.

Put a bead at the end of the cord if you like, tie a knot and you are done!

Finished! Wasn’t that easy? My favorite part is that the drawstring bag stands up on its own even when it’s empty. This way, you can easily grab what you need from the bag!

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