Present Quilt Block Drawstring Bag Free Tutorial

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the second week of the Lined Drawstring Bag Sew Along! This week I'm very excited to share a tutorial for a present quilt block bag! I'll be updating the Sew Along Page each week with all the posts so that you can easily catch up or reference these posts after the sew along ends!

I hope you'll sew along with us! Sew from the tutorial or the patterns:
Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial
Lined Drawstring Bag Pattern
Lined Drawstring Bag Expansion Pattern


I drew a sketch of this bag a few years ago, but never got around to making it. This year when I was narrowing down ideas for the sew along, I knew it was finally time to try bringing it to life! This is a variation for the "Everything" size, which is the same as the tutorial size. One side of the Exterior Main will be pieced with patchwork, which looks like a present when a bow is stitched to it! I think this bag is adorable and would be great for gift-giving all year round!

If you're not sure where to start in terms of choosing fabrics, here are some tips. I started by choosing the present background, which is the wrapping paper. This is a good place to use a fun, multicolored, patterned fabric. From there I picked out a simple blender print for the present tie fabric to coordinated. For the Exterior Main, I went with a solid, so that the present really pops! Finally a simple dot for the Exterior Accent and Interior. For more tips on choosing fabrics for drawstring bags, see this post from last year's Sew Along: Tips for Choosing Fabrics for Drawstring Bags


Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Finished size: Approx. 10" tall, 7" wide, 3" deep

Present Quilt Block Lined Drawstring Bag Materials:
- 3 Fat quarters (18"x21")*
- 1 Fat eighth for present background
- 1/8 yard for present tie
- 2 yards of 1/2" twill tape, or 1/8 yd fabric
- Coordinating thread
- Handstitching needle
- Acrylic ruler
- Large safety pin
- Water soluble pen

*This tutorial is written for using a non-directional fabric for the Exterior Main.

Looking for supplies? Check out my Pattern Supplies and Resources post.

Present Quilt Block Lined Drawstring Bag Cutting:
From Exterior Main Fabric:
- Cut (1) 9”x10.5” piece
- Cut (2) 3"x5.5" side pieces
- Cut (1) 1.5"x10.5" top piece
- Cut (1) 3"x10.5" bottom piece

From Present Background Fabric:
- Cut (2) 2.5"x5.5" pieces

From Present Tie Fabric:
- Cut (1) 1.5"x5.5" strip
- Cut (2) 1.5"x21" strips

From Exterior Accent Fabric:
- Cut (1) 4”x21” strip
- Subcut into (2) 4”x10.5” pieces

From Interior Fabric:
- Cut (1) 12.5”x21” strip
- Subcut into (2) 12.5”x10.5” pieces

If using fabric for ties:
- Cut (2) 32”x2” strips

If using twill for ties:
- Cut (2) 32" pieces

Present Quilt Block Lined Drawstring Bag Instructions:
*Use a 1/4” seam allowance unless otherwise noted*


1. Before constructing the bag, we first need to make the pieced Exterior Main piece.

The present part of the Exterior Main is made of two 2.5"x5.5" present background pieces and one 1.5"x5.5" present tie fabric strip. Arrange them as shown above. Sew strips tigether along the long edges. Press seams open.


2. Sew the two 3"x5.5" side Exterior Main pieces to either side of the present block. Press seams open.


3. Sew the 1.5"x10.5" top Exterior Main piece to the top edge of the block. Press seams open.


4. Sew the 3"x10.5" bottom Exterior Main piece to the bottom edge of the block. Press seams open.

Refer to the free tutorial or the everything size in the lined drawstring bag pattern. Follow steps 1-8, then return to this tutorial.

5. To make the present tie, place two 1.5"x21" present tie strips right sides together. Sew along all four sides, leaving a few inches unsewn for turning. Turn tie right sides out, press well. Topstitch around all four sides, closing the opening. Carefully tie into a neat bow.

If you'd like, you could make the ends of the ties pointed or rounded. Trim to shape before sewing them together.


6. Turn bag right sides out. Handstitch the bow to the top of the present, using the opening in the interior of the bag to reach the wrong wide of the bag exterior.


For the remaining bag construction, refer back to the free tutorial or the everything size in the lined drawstring bag pattern.


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! I can't wait to see the bags you make! Please share them with me on instagram @jenib320 + #lineddrawstringbag or via email (jenib320 @ gmail.com).

Happy Sewing!