Have you ever searched for the perfect gift, only to hand it over in a plain, disposable paper bag? It feels a little anticlimactic, doesn’t it? A thoughtful gift deserves a special presentation.
What if you could create a beautiful, reusable gift bag that’s part of the gift itself?
Today, I’m going to show you how to sew a drawstring wine bag that looks incredibly professional. This project features a full lining and a neat boxed bottom, which helps the bag stand up on its own. It’s the perfect way to make any bottle of wine, olive oil, or bubbly cider feel extra special.
Don’t worry if you’re new to sewing. This step-by-step guide is simple to follow. We’ll walk through it together, and soon you’ll have a stunning handmade gift bag that will wow your friends and family. Let’s get our sewing machines ready!
What You’ll Need for Your DIY Wine Gift Bag
First, let’s gather our supplies. Having everything ready before you start makes the sewing process smooth and enjoyable. You probably have most of these items in your sewing kit already.
| Category | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Outer Fabric: Two pieces, 6.5″ wide x 16″ tall | Choose a fun print! Cotton works great. |
| Lining Fabric: Two pieces, 6.5″ wide x 16″ tall | Pick a coordinating color or a simple pattern. | |
| Tools | Sewing Machine | A standard machine is perfect for this project. |
| Ruler & Rotary Cutter | For cutting straight, clean lines. Scissors work too. | |
| Heat-Erasable Pen or Chalk | For marking lines that will disappear later. | |
| Pins or Sewing Clips | To hold your fabric pieces together while you sew. | |
| Seam Ripper | An essential tool for opening the drawstring channel. | |
| Safety Pin | To help thread the drawstring through the channel. | |
| Notions | All-Purpose Thread | Choose a color that matches your outer and lining fabrics. |
| Drawstring Cord or Ribbon | Two pieces, each about 20 inches long. |
Step 1: Cutting Your Fabric
The foundation of a great project is accurate cutting. For this fabric wine bag pattern, you will need four pieces of fabric in total.
Cut two pieces from your outer fabric and two pieces from your lining fabric. Each piece should measure 6.5 inches wide by 16 inches tall.
A quick tip on fabric choice: if you are using a directional fabric (one with a clear “up” and “down,” like flowers or animals), make sure the pattern runs along the 16-inch length. This ensures your design will be upright on the finished bag, not sideways.
Step 2: Preparing for a Perfect Boxed Bottom
A boxed bottom is what gives this bag its sturdy, flat base. It looks complicated, but our method makes it super easy. We are going to prepare the corners before we even start sewing.
Take one of your outer fabric pieces and lay it flat. At the bottom edge (one of the 6.5-inch sides), use your ruler and heat-erasable pen to draw a 1.5-inch square in each corner.
Now, carefully cut out those two squares with scissors. Using scissors here helps prevent you from accidentally cutting too far with a rotary cutter.
Repeat this process for the second outer fabric piece and for both of your lining fabric pieces. When you’re done, all four pieces of fabric will have little squares cut out of their bottom corners.
Step 3: Sewing the Main Bag and Lining
It’s time to start sewing! We will sew the outer bag and the lining separately.
First, take your two outer fabric pieces and place them right sides together, making sure the directional patterns are facing the same way. Clip or pin them along both long sides and across the bottom edge. Sew along these three sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving the top and the corner cutouts open.
Next, do the same with your two lining pieces. Place them right sides together and clip them. Before you sew, you need to mark a 3-inch opening on one of the long sides. I like to place this gap about 2 inches up from the bottom corner cutout. This opening is very important because it’s how we will turn the bag right side out later.
Sew the lining pieces together along the sides and bottom, remembering to stop and start at your marks to leave that 3-inch gap open.
Step 4: Creating the Boxed Corners
This is where the magic of the boxed bottom bag happens.
Take your outer bag, which is still inside out. Pinch one of the bottom corners, pulling the side seam and the bottom seam away from each other. The corner will flatten out into a straight line. Match the side seam with the bottom seam perfectly and clip it in place.
Sew across this straight line with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This creates one of your boxed corners. Repeat this for the other corner of the outer bag, and then do the same for both corners of the lining.
Step 5: Putting It All Together
Now we will join the two bags. Keep the lining bag inside out. Turn the outer bag so it is right side out, and poke out the corners so they look nice and sharp.
Slide the outer bag (which is right side out) inside the lining bag (which is inside out). This means the “right sides” of the fabric will be touching each other.
Line up the top raw edges of both bags. Match the side seams first to make sure everything is aligned, then clip or pin all the way around the top opening. Sew around this entire top edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Don’t leave any gaps.
Now, find that 3-inch opening you left in the lining. Carefully reach inside and pull the outer bag through the hole. It will feel like a bit of a jumble, but keep pulling gently until the entire bag is right side out.
Tuck the raw edges of the opening in the lining under and sew it closed. You can stitch it by hand for an invisible finish or run a quick seam on your machine close to the edge. Since this will be on the inside of the bag, no one will see it.
Step 6: Creating the Drawstring Channel
Push the lining down inside the outer bag and smooth everything out. Use your fingers to press the top seam so it’s crisp, with the lining neatly tucked inside. You can press it with an iron for a really professional finish.
To make the channel for our drawstring, we need to sew two lines around the top of the bag. Using your heat-erasable pen, draw your first line 2 inches down from the top edge. Draw your second line 3/4 of an inch below the first line.
Sew along both of these lines all the way around the bag. Try to keep your stitching as straight as possible. Once you’re done, use your iron to make the pen marks disappear.
Now, take your seam ripper. Very carefully, pick out the stitches of the outer bag’s side seam that fall between your two sewn lines. Do this on both side seams. Be careful not to rip the lining fabric or the channel stitching! This creates the openings for your drawstring.
Step 7: Adding the Drawstring and Finishing Touches
We’re on the final step of learning how to make a wine bag!
Cut two pieces of your cord or ribbon, each about 20 inches long. If you’re using a nylon cord that frays, you can carefully melt the ends with a lighter to seal them.
Attach a safety pin to the end of one cord. Starting on one side, thread the pin through one opening, all the way around the channel, and back out the same opening. Remove the pin and tie the two ends of the cord in a knot.
Take your second cord and do the same thing, but start and end at the opening on the opposite side. Tie the ends in a knot. This creates the double-drawstring that cinches the bag closed neatly.
FAQs
How to tie a drawstring gift bag?
Hold the bag with one hand. Find the string loops on each side. Gently pull both loops away from the bag. The top will gather and close tightly. You can tie the strings in a simple bow for a pretty finish.
Should you put wine in a gift bag?
Yes, a gift bag is a perfect way to present a bottle of wine. It makes the gift feel more special and thoughtful. A fabric wine bag is also a wonderful, reusable gift itself.
How to stitch a gift bag?
You stitch a gift bag in a few easy steps. First, sew your outer fabric pieces together. Then, sew your lining pieces, leaving a small hole. You join the two bags at the top, turn it right side out, and sew the channel for the strings.
How to use gift bag strings to close a bag?
Using the strings is very easy. Your bag will have a set of strings coming out of each side. Simply hold one set in each hand. Pull them firmly and evenly. The channel will cinch together and close the top of the bag.
When to use a drawstring bag?
Drawstring bags are great for many occasions. Use them for gifts like wine, jars of jam, or candles. They are also useful for organizing small items. You can use them for travel, to hold shoes, or to store craft supplies.
Your Beautiful Handmade Wine Bag is Ready!
And that’s it! You just learned how to sew a drawstring wine bag from start to finish. Put a bottle inside, pull the strings, and admire your beautiful, handmade creation. This bag is not only a lovely way to present a gift but is also a durable, reusable item the recipient can enjoy for years.
Now that you have the skills, you can make these for holidays, birthdays, or dinner parties. Play with different fabric combinations and have fun with it!
I would love to see what you create. If you make one of these bags, please share it and let me know how it went in the comments below