How to Make a Jewelry Pouch Drawstring

Tired of your favorite necklaces getting tangled or losing an earring in your travel bag? There’s a simple, beautiful solution you can make yourself in under an hour. These little pouches are perfect for protecting valuables, organizing small items, or creating a thoughtful, handmade gift wrap.

This beginner-friendly project is designed for everyone. We’ll guide you through two easy methods: a classic hand-sewn pouch and a clever no-sew alternative. This tutorial will give you the confidence to turn a small piece of cloth into something both beautiful and useful. You’ve got this!

Next, use a simple “running stitch,” which looks like a dashed line. Starting from the top folded corner, push your needle down through both layers and bring it back up a short distance away. Continue this in-and-out motion down one of the open sides, keeping your stitches about a half-inch from the fabric’s edge.

Once you reach the bottom corner, lock your thread by making two or three tiny stitches on top of each other, then snip the thread. Repeat that same stitch along the bottom edge, again locking your thread at the end. Leave the top edge completely open—this will be the opening of yourWhat Is The Best Fabric for Your First Jewelry Bag?

Choosing the right fabric is your first fun decision. For a first-time project, we highly recommend a simple woven cotton. It’s a dream to work with because it doesn’t fray badly and isn’t slippery, making it easy to cut and sew. While velvet or satin can create a more luxurious feel, those fabrics can be shifty and more challenging. Sticking with cotton will help guarantee a great result on your first try.

Once you’ve picked your material, gather the rest of your supplies:

• One 6×12 inch rectangle of fabric
• A needle and thread that matches your fabric
• Two 15-inch pieces of ribbon or smooth cord
• A ruler and scissors
• One safety pin (this is a secret weapon for the final step!)

A smooth satin ribbon or silky cord will glide open and closed effortlessly. A rougher material, like twine, can snag inside the fabric channel and make the pouch difficult to use.

How to Measure and Cut Your Fabric for a Perfect Pouch

The beauty of this project lies in its simple shape. Starting with one 6×12 inch rectangle means less cutting and sewing, as it cleverly folds to become both the front and back of your pouch. This size is versatile enough for jewelry, small gifts, or even tarot cards.

Using a ruler, carefully mark the dimensions on the wrong side (the “less pretty” side) of your fabric. Light pencil guidelines will help you get a straight cut. Simply cut along your marked lines, and you’ll have the foundation of your pouch ready.

Method 1: How to Hand-Sew Your First Pouch

With your fabric rectangle ready, fold it in half so the 6-inch edges meet. Place the “right sides together,” meaning the patterned or vibrant sides of the fabric face each other. This is the secret to finishing seams on a small bag, as it ensures your stitch work will be hidden neatly inside pouch.

Now, reach inside your little fabric pocket and turn it completely right-side out. The stitches will disappear, and you’ll have a clean, perfectly formed pouch taking shape.

Method 2: How to Make a No-Sew Pouch in Minutes

If you prefer a no-sew approach, you can use modern crafting adhesives like fusible web or permanent fabric glue. For both options, start by folding your fabric in half with the pretty sides facing each other, just like in the sewing method.

Using fusible web is incredibly quick. Cut a strip of the web and place it between the two layers of fabric along the side edge you want to seal. Press a hot iron on top for a few seconds (following the package directions) to permanently bond the fabric. Repeat for the bottom edge, leaving the top open.

If you’re using fabric glue, the secret is that less is more. Apply a thin, steady line of glue along the side and bottom edges, about a half-inch from the edge. Avoid large globs, which can seep through the fabric. Press the layers together firmly and let them dry completely. Once sealed and dry, turn the pouch right-side out.

How to Create the Drawstring Channel

To create the tunnel for your drawstring, fold the top raw edge of your pouch down toward the inside by about half an inch. Press this fold flat with your fingers to hide the raw edge.

Now, fold that same edge down one more time, making a wider fold of about one inch. This second fold creates a perfect fabric tube, or “casing,” running along the top of your pouch.

To secure the channel, sew a straight stitch (or apply a thin line of fabric glue) along the bottom edge of this wide fold. Be careful to only go through the folded flap and the pouch wall directly behind it. Do not sew the front and back of the pouch together, or you’ll accidentally seal your bag shut! With that one simple line stitched, your channel is complete.

The Final Touch: How to Thread Your Drawstring Cord

To easily thread your cord, attach a small safety pin to the end of your first piece of ribbon. The pin gives you something firm to grip and guide. Push the safety pin into one side of the channel and gently feed it all the way around until it comes out of the same opening.

For the classic cinch-from-both-sides closure, take your second piece of ribbon and do the exact same thing, but start from the opening on the opposite side. You should now have two loose cord ends hanging from the left side and two from the right.

Finally, take the two cords on one side and tie them together in a simple, tight knot. Repeat on the other side. This prevents the cords from fraying or slipping back into the channel. Give the knots a gentle pull, and watch your pouch cinch shut perfectly.

Congratulations! What You Can Create Next

Congratulations, you’ve just made a beautiful, functional drawstring pouch! You now have the skill to create something useful and lovely from scratch.

What will you make next? Try starting with a larger rectangle of fabric to create a tarot card pouch, or use material from an old flannel shirt for a cozier feel. Even a contrasting ribbon color can give your next creation a fun, personal pop. That pile of fabric scraps isn’t clutter anymore—it’s a collection of future gifts and organizers waiting to be brought to life by you.

Yoyo

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