• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Family Focus Blog Header

Family Focus Blog

Top family blog by Nashville mom blogger

  • Crafts & Activities
  • Home Decor
  • Green Living
  • Family Food
  • Lifestyle
    • Family Fashion Tips
    • Family Health And Wellness Ideas
  • Parenting
  • Family Travel
You are here: Home / Activities & Crafts / DIY Cinch Bag (AKA Drawstring Backpack) In Minutes

DIY Cinch Bag (AKA Drawstring Backpack) In Minutes

December 27, 2014 by Racquel Bregg

468 shares
  • Share66
  • Tweet

My daughter loves drawstring bags and thinks there is no such thing as having too many.  We were recently looking for a fun, affordable gift to make for a classmate and decided on a DIY Cinch Bag.  These bags are easily made in just a few minutes from a pillowcase and ribbon.  They can be carried as a messenger bag, a backpack, or just over the shoulder.  They drawstring shut so there is no need for installing zippers.  Pillowcases come in so many sizes, colors, and patterns that make these bags so much fun to have!

DIY Cinch Bag

Homemade Cinch Bag Tutorial

Supplies:

  • 1 pillow case
  • 1 spool of ribbon
  • sewing machine, needle, & thread
  • scissors
  • safety pin
Cinch Bag Supplies

How To Make A Drawstring Bag From A Pillowcase

Begin by folding the opening of the pillowcase down approximately 4″.

Use the sewing machine to stitch a seam 1″ in from the folded edge. If you need a no sew option, you can use some of that iron on seam tape for the same effect but it won’t be quite as sturdy and long lasting.

Pillowcase Cinch Bag

Stitch all the way around the opening leaving a 1″ space that will create an opening for the drawstring ribbon.

DIY Bag
DIY Cinch Bag Tutorial

Attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon and carefully feed the ribbon through the pocket you created in the pillowcase.

Cinch Bag How To

Pull the ribbon out of the opening when you’ve made your way all the way around.

Cinch Bag Instructions

Carefully pull enough ribbon through for the opening of the bag to be completely open with the two ends of the ribbon able to reach 8″-10″ past the bottom of the bag.

Smooth the ribbon out, laying the two pieces over each other, and carefully sew them to the bottom corner of the bag.

Cinch Bag

Secured the ribbon at the corner and then tie a tight bow.  You can tack the bow into place with a few stitches or simply leave it tied tight.  Trim the ends of the ribbon on an angle or knot them to prevent fraying.

Pull the ribbon to cinch the top of the bag closed!

How To Wear The DIY Drawstring Bag

You can wear the DIY cinch bag three ways. First, you can separate the two ribbons on this drawstring bag and wear it like a backpack. Second, the two strings can be left together and put over the shoulder. Third, leave the strings together and wear as a messenger bag.

DIY Cinch Bag Pattern

Full sized pillowcases are great for sleepover bags or for storing dress up clothes.  Travel pillowcases usually come with a zipper and are a bit smaller for every day bags.  If you’re daughter is like mine, she’ll want several in different sizes and colors and to make them for her friends too!  For less than $5 per bag and only 20 minutes of time, you won’t mind making several of these DIY cinch bags.

Related Posts:

Five Cute Ribbon Craft Ideas for Easter

DIY Flower Headband Tutorial

The First Sleepover

468 shares
  • Share66
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Activities & Crafts Tagged With: diy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. julie says

    December 28, 2014 at 9:33 am

    cute bag my daughter also loves bags , I was looking for ideas for a bag to put her small dolls and little dog toys she got for Christmas.This bag would be ideal for them and then she can take them to church or when out and about by carrying them on her back. thanks for sharing.

Primary Sidebar

Let's Be Friends!

Welcome To Family Focus Blog

Family Blogger
Thanks for reading Family Focus Blog, which has been named a top family blog for parenting resources. It was created in 2010 by Nashville mom blogger, Scarlet Paolicchi. She shares tips for better family life, parenting, family fun activities, eco-friendly lifestyle, family food ideas, family travel, and home decor. Family Focus Blog has been named #3 in Cision PR’s 50 U.S. Top Mom Blog list. Scarlet Paolicchi is the author of four books.

LOVE This Sponsor

Amazon Moms

Footer

Popular Posts

Importance of Family In Society
Benefits Of Spending Time With Family
Family Oriented Meaning
Bible Verses About Parenting Responsibilities
Qualities Of A Role Model
Jello Pudding Pie Recipe

Disclosure

Family Focus Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. We also accept forms of cash advertising and sponsorship. We disclose material relationships and share honest opinions.
Privacy Policy

Copyright

© Scarlet Paolicchi and Family Focus Blog, 2010-2022. Short excerpts of this family blog may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Family Focus Blog with link back to the original content. Duplicating a whole post is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2022