Sew It Begins: French Seam Drawstring Bags

This tutorial was originally offered as a free Zoom class from the Pasadena Public Library. If you are interested in our future sewing classes you can search the Pasadena Public Library events page for “Sew It Begins” or view our full list of virtual programs: www.cityofpasadena.net/librar...
Supplies needed: 1 fat quarter of woven fabric such as quilting cotton, 1 yard of ribbon, sewing machine thread, ruler, pencil or chalk for marking fabric.

[@jessicadunne433]

If you want an actual French seam pin the wrong sides together, sew at a 1/4, trim and flip and sew another seam outside that seam incasing the seam within itself.

[@missmoon.]

How do you add drawstrings then?

[@WandaFacto]

Fold over and sew your top and bottom first

[@Sandrab769]

I just made this into a Christmas bag. I cut my bag 14” x 18”. It turned out pretty good, not perfect. Love it and I plan to make many more as I plan to donate to the local Angel Tree. No complaints from this sewist. I appreciate the work you put into this tutorial. Awesome job! Thank you.

[@laschubs]

I just bought a sewing machine and just made this bag for traveling. Awesome tutorial - very clear instructions!

[@susandeal9042]

Here’s my take on this tutorial. I don’t think this is a traditional french seam, but, I finished the bag and like it. I think it’s a little more work this way. But again, I’m glad to learn something new. 😊

[@wandadaniel3405]

Thank you that was awesome!

[@joanarama7842]

Thank you so much for this. I really need a clean, no raw seams inside and this video helps a lot since I don’t have a serger.

[@hattiedraper1061]

The title led me to believe that all seams would be french seams, but the sides are not.

[@marilynmiddleton9088]

Yes I was also thinking that. Never mind 🌼

[@sheilagaleano365]

Thank you. Very well explained and demonstrated.

[@maryhayward1837]

Perfect and just what I was looking for with seams. Saves having to make a lined bag. Thank you.

[@dmoffett333]

Excellent tutorial! I like your French seams. I was debating how to make the with the drawstrings on a linen bread bag for my daughter in law for her birthday. Now I can! Thank you!

[@sabik3564]

I love this bag. Going to make some now. Thank you for your wonderful instructions.

[@jeanettemahon3131]

Thank you ! I just made this.......and I am pleased with the result. This unlined bag with french seams is ideal for when you are short on fabric but need a bag in a hurry. I enjoyed your tuition, thank you again.

[@gracielaguzman9366]

I’m definitely going to make this. I need a laundry bag and I think it will be perfect 😍. Thank You so much for sharing.🤗

[@maxinejones5945]

Great bag. Clear n precise instructions. Nice square corner lower seam finishing idea.

[@sharonmcnicol2052]

A lovely neat, cute little bag

[@Dulceknits]

Very clear instructions to follow. Thank you and I will try your method.

[@sandraweiler5971]

Very nice tutorial Jessica, thank-you for sharing. 🌸

[@trudiemarsh893]

I am going to make this too. A great tutorial for a very neatly sewn project.

[@michellemaher8110]

Excellent tutorial, thank you

[@claudiar4235]

Excellent tutorial- thank you.

[@anomajayawardana6178]

It's beautiful.

[@sherrysims1655]

Thank you! love it

[@user-xk8qe7rf8p]

Thank you very much 🎉

[@dawnsilius4467]

Enjoyed the tutorial. Personally I would have liked to see a plain material with a bold thread so that I could see exactly where you were sewing. Great tips though.

[@carolcurtis2220]

Very misleading as only the bottom has a “french seam”. I love the bag even so❤

[@roksdesigns1421]

Lovely

[@joycefung2473]

Hey hun, thanks for the tutorial. Is there a way to secure the triangles at the bottom of the bag inside? It just sticks up. Cheers!

[@oodles_of_noodles.]

This tutorial is a little confusing to newbies as the title is mis-leading. Only the bottom seam of this bag has a french seam, the side seams are finished seams. However if you are happy following it and just wanting polished corners, after completing your side and bottom seams, turn bag out and mark, stitch & box your corners from the front of the bag, not the inside out as shown in video. Trim the seam down, then turn inside out again to enclose your corners in another french seam. Then flip out again and you're done. No more excess fabric and no unfinished seams at the end! 😊

[@sehryn]

Hi. I want to know if there is a formula for boxed corners in any size that make a perfectly square base? Ive seen heaps of boxed bag tutorials, but haven’t found one that describes how to get a perfectly square bottom - for toy bags etc for any size bag? I know I could sew a square into the bottom. But I don’t want to. Boxing the corners is so much easier. If only I could work out how to work out how to get a square base on any size. There must be a ratio but I can’t work it out myself as I have dyscalculia. 😢

[@sarahnorcross-davies2558]

Nice little bag, but these are not French seams!

[@seekingthetruth2748]

What is the width of the ribbon?

[@lauralhouse]

Great tutorial, but for reference to help those learning sewing terminology and techniques: the side seams are hong kong seams, not french seams!

[@isabelletravert7026]

Hello from france. It is difficult to see what you do.

[@dawncarlson9131]

A lot of extra work for an unlined bag…

[@sewlady070375]

I believe you are mixing up the meaning of what is a "finished seam" and what is a "french seam" are. You have demonstrated a finished seam, not a french seam. You might want to go back to the Library and look up this sewing procedure from an actual sewing guide book. Sorry, but you are teaching it wrong.

[@carolesfabriccrafts]

beautifully explained! thank you