Rated

Easy

Bampton
drawstring bag
A sewing pattern by Sew Simple Bags

SewSimpleBags.com
The Bampton Drawstring Bag comes in three sizes. These cute bags are easy to sew, don’t need any
hardware or special materials, and have so many uses.
These pretty half-circle drawstring bags sinch up tight with ribbon or cord, then open up wide for easy
access. They are ideal for storing sewing supplies, make pretty bags to store cosmetics or jewelry, and
are also the ideal gift bag. Once cinched up tight, the ribbon or cord can be tied in an elegant bow,
keeping everything safely inside.
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Finished measurements (approx.):
Small – 9.75 inches (25cm) across at the widest part
Medium - 12 inches (30cm) across at the widest part
Large – 15 inches (38cm) across at the widest part
Skill level: Complete beginner.

VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE

This sew-along video that accompanies the pattern is freely available to anyone
who downloads this pattern so feel free to share a link to the video or pattern
download in any of your sewing groups. Please however do not forward, copy or
share this pattern, instead direct others to download their own copy from Sew
Simple Bags. Thank you.

PATTERN NOTES
Please read all instructions carefully before starting to cut and sew.
Stitching lines are represented by a dashed line on the pattern pieces and the instructional photos.
Backstitch at the start and end of your stitching unless mentioned. Trim all thread ends as you finish a
seam.
All seam allowances are ½ inch (12mm) unless otherwise stated, and are included in the pattern pieces.
Top stitching and basting use a 1/8th inch seam allowance
Pattern abbreviations:
RSU: Right side up
RSD: Right side down
RST: Right sides together
WST: Wrong sides together
SA: Seam allowance
Baste: A longer stitch length that doesn’t require back-stitching

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 1 of 8
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Large Medium Small

Outer fabric 17 x 23 inches or 1/3rd 14 x 18 inches or 1/3rd 11 x 16 inches
(assuming 42” wide) yard yard (28 x 41cm)
(43 x 60cm) (36 x 45cm)
Lining fabric 17 x 23 inches or 1/3rd 14 x 18 inches or 1/3rd 11 x 16 inches
(assuming 42” wide) yard yard (28 x 41cm)
(43 x 60cm) (36 x 45cm)
Optional Lightweight 2/3rds yard 14 x 18 inches or 1/2 11 x 16 inches
Interfacing (@ 20” (2/3rds metre) yard (28 x 41cm)
wide) (36 x 45cm)
Cording or ribbon 72 inches 58 inches 48 inches
(180cm) (150cm) (120cm)

Options for this pattern:

Pattern available in three sizes.
Interfacing is optional in all three sizes. If used, cut 2 lightweight interfacing using pattern piece. Fuse to
the wrong side of your outer fabric.
Cording or ribbon may be used as the drawstrings.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Outer fabric – quilting cottons, linen and similar weight fabrics.

Lining fabric – quilting cottons.

Interfacing – optional. Lightweight interfacing of your choice, woven or non-woven. (In the video I used
this one from Thermoweb.)
Cording or ribbon of your choice may be used for the drawstrings (I recommend max of 0.5 inch wide,
narrower for the small size).
Tools and equipment

• Pinking shears (optional)

• Wonder Clips or pins
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Fabric marker (I love Frixion pens)
• Iron
• Sewing machine

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 2 of 8
 PATTERN PRINTING AND ASSEMBLY

For the printed pattern pieces, please see the Large Layout
template sheets at the end of these instructions
labelled as Large (sheets 1-4), Medium (sheets 5-
6) and Small (sheets 7-8).

Open your pattern pieces file using Adobe Reader.

I do not recommend using a cell phone or internet
browser for this step due to associated printing
issues.

Print at 100% scale, or full size. DO NOT use Fit

To Page. Print page 1 first and check the scaling
box before proceeding.

Assemble the pattern sheets in numerical order,

matching circles at corners and edge diamonds.

Medium Layout Small Layout

PREPARATION
1 – Cutting
A) Cut all paper pattern pieces along the solid outer lines
B) Cut your fabric and interfacing as it is instructed on each pattern piece (interfacing is optional on
all sizes).

2 – Fusing
A) Fuse interfacing as noted on pattern pieces, to the wrong sides of the outer fabric (optional)

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 3 of 8
 SEWING INSTRUCTIONS

Same for all sizes.

Seam allowances are ½ inch/12mm unless otherwise mentioned.

Place the two lining pieces RST and stitch

around the curved edge. Clip the seam
allowance around the curve, or trim with
pinking shears (curved edge only). Set aside.

Transfer casing lines to the wrong side of the

outer piece, at the seam allowances only.

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 4 of 8
 Stitch around the curved edge, starting and
stopping at the lower casing line.

Stitch from the upper casing line on each

side, to the top straight edge. Leave the gap
between the lines unsewn.

Notch seam allowances on the outer fabric

piece or trim with pinking shears. Press the
seam allowances open on both stitched
pieces.

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 5 of 8
 Turn the outer right side out and place it
inside the lining, so that right sides of fabric
are facing each other. Line up the side
seams, and pin or clip around the top edge.

Sew around the top edge, leaving an unsewn

gap of around 3-4 inches for turning.

Turn the bag right sides out through the gap.

Push lining down inside the bag. Turn in the
raw edges at the gap and press the bag well.

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 6 of 8
 Top stitch around the top edge of the bag
with 1/8th inch seam allowance, closing the
gap in the lining.

Stitch around the upper and lower casing

stitching lines, parallel to the top of the bag.
Use a fabric marker to draw on your stitching
lines if that helps you sew a straight line.

Use a safety pin or bodkin to thread through

your cord or ribbon. Complete one circle, knot
the ends. Thread the second cord from the
opposite side of the bag so your knotted ends
are one each side of the bag when
completed.

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 7 of 8
 CONTACT INFORMATION

Should you have a query regarding this pattern, please post your question in the Facebook chat group
so that you can get the quickest possible answer.
Other ways to find more patterns, tips, tutorials and videos from Sew Simple Bags ->
Website – http://SewSimpleBags.com
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SewingSimpleBags
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmDvyYlCLguhBdvzViYiAw
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sewsimplebags/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/sewsimplebags/

Selling what you sew:

You MAY sell any bags you personally sew using this pattern. I’d be delighted if you did. No formal credit
is required but I would love it if you shared photos of what you have sewn in your favorite sewing groups
and mention the pattern. Thank you.

Copyright information:
Distribution of the pattern and corresponding instructions is expressly prohibited. This pattern is intended
for the original purchaser only. “Distribution” includes reselling, forwarding by email, or posting this
document anywhere online for others to access. Thank you for respecting copyright laws.

©Deby Coles 2021. All rights reserved. Bampton Drawstring Bag – Sew Simple Bags Page 8 of 8
 A
1 Cut 2 of fabric
Cut 2 of lining
Cut 2 of interfacing
Test square
2 inches
1 inch

6 cm
 2
Casing area

A
 g (optional)
A

3 Bampton Drawstrin
from Sew Simple B
Copyight Deby Coles, Sew Simple Bags 2020
All rights reserved
 4
ng Bag - Large Size
Bampton drawstring bag - Large

Bags
A
 Casing area

5
Cut 2 of f
Cut 2 of l
Cut 2 of i

1 inch

Test square
2 inches
6 cm
 Bampton drawstring bag - Medium

6
fabric
lining
interfacing (optional)

Bampton
Drawstring Bag
Medium Size
from Sew Simple Bags
Copyight Deby Coles, Sew Simple Bags 2020
All rights reserved
 Casing area

7
Cut 2 of f
Cut 2 of l
Cut 2 of i

1 inch

Test square
2 inches
6 cm
 Bampton drawstring bag - Small

8
fabric
lining
interfacing (optional)

Bampton
Drawstring Bag
Small Size
from Sew Simple Bags
Copyight Deby Coles, Sew Simple Bags 2020
All rights reserved