How to make a drawstring pouch

1. Materials & tools

Materials (small pouch)

• Fabric (cotton, linen or light canvas) — about 25 × 45 cm (10 × 18 in)
• Cord or ribbon for the drawstring — about 80 cm (32 in) × 1 (or × 2 for both-side draw)

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Drawstring pouch” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
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3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and trace the cut line and seam line. Align the grain with the grainline.
2. Cut
   Cut the body as one piece with the base on the fold. The dotted line near the top is the drawstring casing fold line.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or serge the side edges so they don't fray once turned.

4. Sewing

4-1. Mark the casing opening

1. Fold the body in half at the base, right sides together. On both sides, leave the top section (above the casing line) unsewn — this opening is where the cord comes out.

4-2. Sew the sides

1. Sew each side from the base up to the casing opening with the seam allowance.
2. Press the seam allowances open, including the open part of the opening, so the casing lies flat.

4-3. Make the casing

1. Fold the top edge under by the seam allowance, then fold down along the casing line to make a channel; press and topstitch close to the lower fold, all the way around.
2. Leave both ends of the channel open for the cord.

4-4. Thread the cord

1. Use a safety pin or bodkin to thread the cord through the casing and back out. Knot the ends.
2. For a both-side draw, thread a second cord from the opposite side.

5. Tips & variations

• Flat bottom: box the base corners (like a tote) for a pouch that stands up.
• Lined version: make an outer and a lining and bag them together for a neat, reversible finish.
• Size it: widen and lengthen for a shoe bag or gym bag; keep it small for a coin or charm pouch.