Sew 2 Gift Bags Reusable With Easy Tutorial & Free PDF

​

In this post, you’ll learn how to sew 2 gift bags reusable with a free pattern.

If you’re looking for a super easy sewing project that’s beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and actually useful… you’re in the right place. These two reusable gift bags are one of my go-to makes every season. They’re perfect as reusable Christmas gift bags, birthday gift bags, or simple drawstring gift bags you can whip up in no time.

I’m sharing a free pattern, a step-by-step video, and all the sewing tips you need, even if your skill level is total beginner. All you need is some cute fabric, a sewing machine, and a few basic sewing tools.

The best part? They look beautiful under the Christmas tree, they last forever, and they save so much wrapping paper waste. Honestly, they’re one of the best eco-friendly projects you can sew.

Let’s make some gift bags you’ll reuse again and again!

Sewing Tools & Supplies You’ll Need

Before we dive into sewing your reusable gift bags, here’s everything you’ll want to have ready. Nothing fancy, just simple tools and materials most beginners already own. If you’re completely new to sewing, don’t worry. This project is super forgiving, and the end results look polished even with basic equipment.

Essential Supplies

• Outer fabric – cotton, linen, velvet, satin, canvas, or quilting cotton
• Lining fabric – lightweight cotton or any smooth woven fabric
• Thread – all-purpose polyester works best
• Pins or clips – clips are great if you’re working with thicker fabrics
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Iron + ironing board
• Sewing machine – any basic machine is perfect for this project

Optional (but very helpful)

• Safety pin or bodkin – for threading the drawstrings easily
• Cotton cord, ribbon, or sewn fabric straps – choose the look you love
• Decorative labels – perfect if you like finishing touches
• Seam guide

Best Fabrics for Reusable Gift Bags

Choosing the right fabric makes a huge difference, not only in how easy the bag is to sew, but also how it looks under the Christmas tree or on a birthday table. You can keep it simple and classic with quilting cotton or go all out with holiday velvet.

Recommended Fabrics

• Quilting cotton — easiest to sew and holds shape beautifully
• Linen — soft, breathable, and gives that natural handmade look
• Canvas — sturdy and ideal for long-lasting reusable gift bags
• Velvet / Velour — rich, luxurious texture for Christmas gifts
• Taffeta / Satin — elegant for weddings or special occasions
• Muslin — inexpensive and great for simple favor bags

Fabrics to Avoid (especially for beginners)

• Stretch knits (they shift too much)
• Slippery chiffon
• Anything extremely thick (your sewing machine won’t love it)

Gift Bag Sizes

To make choosing your size easy, here are the most common gift bag dimensions. These proportions help the bags look balanced, cute, and not too tall or too wide. You can also customize them depending on the gift.

Size	Height	Width	Fabric Cut (Outer x2 + Lining x2)
XS (small jewelry)	20 cm / 8″	15 cm / 6″	20 × 15 cm (8″ × 6″)
S (small gifts)	25 cm / 10″	20 cm / 8″	25 × 20 cm (10″ × 8″)
M (your example)	30 cm / 12″	25 cm / 10″	30 × 25 cm (12″ × 10″)
L (books, toys)	35 cm / 14″	30 cm / 12″	35 × 30 cm (14″ × 12″)
XL (sweaters, pillows)	45 cm / 18″	35 cm / 14″	45 × 35 cm (18″ × 14″)

Fabric Requirements for Gift Bags

Here’s a simple guide for how much fabric you’ll need based on the bag size you choose. This includes both outer fabric and lining.

Bag Size	CM Needed	Inches Needed
XS	40 × 30 cm	16″ × 12″
S	50 × 40 cm	20″ × 16″
M	60 × 50 cm	24″ × 20″
L	70 × 60 cm	28″ × 24″
XL	90 × 70 cm	36″ × 28″

Gift Bags Sewing Pattern – Just for You!

To make this project easy for everyone, I’ve created a free sewing pattern. Click here to download the pattern.

How to Sew Gift Bags Reusable ! Step by Step

Cut Your Fabric for Lined Bag

Before we start sewing your reusable gift bags, let’s get your pieces cut and ready. I’m using the M size (30 × 25 cm / 12″ × 10″) in this example, but feel free to choose any size from the chart above. No matter which size you choose, the steps stay exactly the same, super beginner-friendly and perfect if you’re making drawstring gift bags for Christmas or birthdays.

• Outer fabric: cut 2 pieces — 30 × 25 cm (12″ × 10″)
• Lining fabric: cut 2 pieces — 30 × 25 cm (12″ × 10″)
• Strap (if sewing your own): 60 cm long (24″)

If you’re planning a batch of Christmas gift bags reusable, you can cut several at once to save time.

How to Sew Fabric Straps

If you want your gift bags reusable to have a custom handmade touch, you can sew your own straps or use ribbon. Both work beautifully.

Method 1: Quick-Tear Drawstring (Super Fast!)

This method is perfect for beginners or when you’re making lots of reusable xmas gift bags at once.

• At the fabric’s edge, use scissors to make a 1 cm (½”) snip where the 4 cm strip should start.
• Hold both sides of the cut and tear the fabric straight down along the grain.

• The fabric rips cleanly into a long, perfectly straight strip.
• Give it a quick press.

That’s it! A natural-looking, rustic drawstring ready for your drawstring gift bags.

Method 2: Sewn Fabric Strap (More Polished Look)

If you want something more refined, especially for holiday reusable gift bags, try this:

• Cut a strip: 60 cm × 4 cm (24″ × 1.5″)
• Fold lengthwise right sides together.
• Sew with a narrow seam.

• Turn right side out and press.
• Press again for a crisp, clean finish.

Sewing Your Gift Bag

Now let’s sew everything together. This method works for all sizes, whether you’re making tiny jewelry bags or larger gift bags for sweaters and books.

1. Pin Outer Fabric to Lining

• Place one outer and one lining piece right sides together, aligning the top (bag opening).
• Pin across the top.
• Repeat with the second set.

2. Sew the Top Edges

• Sew along the top using a 1 cm (⅜”) seam allowance.
  You’ll now have two fabric “sandwiches.”

3. Open & Press

• Open each piece like a book.
• Press the seam flat to help your bag look crisp, especially useful if you want that clean, professional look for gifting.

Sew the Sides (Lining to Lining, Outer to Outer)

• Place both pressed pieces right sides together.
• Match lining to lining, outer to outer.
• Align the top seams perfectly.
• Pin all around.

VERY IMPORTANT

Leave:

• A 5 cm (2″) gap in the lining for turning
• Drawstring openings on both sides of the outer fabric — this is what makes them true drawstring gift bags

Mark Your Drawstring Gaps

On both sides of the outer fabric, measure from the top seam:

• 3 cm (1¼”) down
• Then 2 cm (¾”) gap

Do this on both sides. These openings will form the channel for your drawstring, whether you’re making everyday bags or reusable xmas gift bags.

Sew Around the Bag (Skip the Gaps)

Start sewing in the lining and continue:

• Down the lining
• Across the bottom lining
• Up the other lining side
• Across the outer bottom
• Up the outer side

BUT:

• Stop at the 3 cm mark
• Skip the 2 cm gap
• Start sewing again below the gap

This creates clean openings for the drawstring.

Turn the Bag Right Side Out

• Pull everything through the 5 cm (2″) gap.
• Gently push out corners so your reusable gift bags look neat.

Sew the Gap in the Lining Closed

1. Tuck in raw edges
2. Press flat
3. Sew close to the edge — 2–3 mm (⅛”)

This keeps the inside looking tidy and long-lasting, perfect for bags you plan to reuse year after year.

Tuck the Lining Inside

• Push the lining down into the bag
• Smooth the top edge
• Press everything flat

A clean top edge makes your Christmas gift bags reusable look store-bought.

Topstitch the Top Edge

Add one neat line of stitching around the top.
This prevents shifting and gives a polished finish.

Sew the Drawstring Channel

From the very top:

• Mark 3 cm (1¼”)
• Then 2 cm (¾”)

Draw lines all around and sew along them to form the channel.
This works the same for all sizes of gift bags reusable.

Insert the Drawstring or Strap

Use a safety pin or bodkin to:

• Feed the strap through one opening

• Continue around
• Exit through the opposite opening

• Tie knots at the ends

And your lined drawstring gift bags are DONE!

Unlined Bag Step by Step Tutorial

1. Cut Your Fabric

• Cut a rectangle 50 cm long × 25 cm wide.
• Add an extra 1 inch to each measurement for seam allowance.

Finish the Raw Edges

• Before sewing, finish all raw edges with a zigzag stitch or overlock stitch.
• This keeps your fabric from fraying and makes the bag more durable.

Fold the Fabric

• Fold the rectangle in half, right sides together, matching the short edges.

Mark the Drawstring Opening

• From the top folded edge, measure 8 cm down on both sides and mark it.
• This will be the opening for your drawstring channel.

Pin the Sides

• Fold the top raw edge in half (toward the inside) and pin the sides.
• From the top fold, measure 1 cm on each side to create a small gap (this is the opening).

Sew the Sides

• Sew both sides with a straight stitch, making sure to skip the 1 cm gap for the drawstring opening.

Create the Drawstring Channel

• Turn the top edge down to the inside to form a neat fold.

• Pin all the way around and sew a full circle to create the drawstring tunnel.

Add the Cord

• Thread your drawstring all the way around the channel and tie the ends

And… you’re done!

A simple, unlined, beginner-friendly drawstring bag — perfect for gifts, storage, or everyday use.

Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, baby showers, or any occasion where you want pretty reusable gift bags that last.

Prefer Learning Visually? Watch the Reusable Gift Bags Sewing Video Tutorial

If you’re someone who learns best by watching rather than reading, you’re going to love this part! You can follow the entire reusable gift bags sewing process step-by-step in my video tutorial

It’s the exact same free PDF pattern featured in this post, so you can easily sew along at your own pace. Whether you’re making drawstring gift bags, reusable Christmas gift bags, or a whole set of eco-friendly bags for gifting, the video walks you through everything in real time.

Just download your free pattern, pick your favorite fabric, and press play. I’ll guide you through each step until your gift bags reusable are fully finished and ready to fill with presents!

Give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe 💛

If you enjoyed this tutorial, don’t forget to give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe to my channel, it really helps me know you’d like to see more sewing projects like this! 💛

I love connecting with you, so if you make your own gift bags , share your creation with me on Instagram or Facebook — I can’t wait to see your version! Your support truly inspires me to keep creating more free patterns and step-by-step tutorials for you.

FAQ on Gift Bags Reusable

Do I need to be an advanced sewist to make these reusable gift bags?

Not at all! Both gift bag styles in this tutorial are beginner-friendly. The lined drawstring gift bag is great if you’ve sewn a few simple projects before, and the unlined version is perfect even if this is one of your very first sewing projects.

What fabrics work best for reusable Christmas gift bags?

Quilting cotton, linen, canvas, muslin, and light home décor fabrics are all great choices. For extra festive reusable Christmas gift bags, you can try velvet, velour, or satin for the outer layer and keep a smooth cotton for the lining. I recommend avoiding very thick fabrics and stretchy knits.

Can I change the size of the gift bags for different presents?

Yes, absolutely! In the post, I include a size guide with suggested measurements for jewelry, books, bottles, sweaters, and more. You can follow those measurements or simply scale the pattern up or down. The sewing steps stay exactly the same, no matter which size of bag you choose.

How many times can I reuse these gift bags?

With good quality fabric and neat seams, your reusable gift bags can last for many years. You can machine wash them on a gentle cycle, reshape, and press with an iron if needed.

What’s the difference between the two bag types in this tutorial?

The first style is a lined drawstring gift bag, which looks very neat inside and out and feels a bit more “luxury.” The second style is a quicker, unlined bag that’s perfect for party favors or when you want to sew a batch fast.

Do I have to use your free pattern, or can I freestyle the measurements?

You’re welcome to freestyle, but using the free printable pattern (and the video tutorial) makes things much easier, especially if you’re just starting out. The pattern is designed with nice proportions so the bags always look cute, pull closed smoothly, and are simple to repeat whenever you need more reusable gift bags.

Ready Gift Bags – Reusable !

And that’s it, your reusable gift bags are all done! Such a good idea, right? Whether you’re sewing for Christmas, birthdays, or just building a stash of pretty fabric bags, this simple pattern gives you clean, reliable results every time. Plus, once you make one, you’ll definitely want to sew a whole collection.

Feel free to grab the free pattern, watch the video again, and try different fabrics and sizes. It’s an easy project for any skill level, and the end results always look beautifully handmade.

Looking for more cute handmade gift ideas? Check out these tutorials:

• DIY flower coasters from fabric scraps — a lovely small-gift project.
• Cosmetic bags made from fabric scraps — great for matching with your reusable gift bags.
• Easy DIY Christmas gifts & present ideas — perfect for holiday gifting inspiration.
• DIY lace bag tutorial — a stylish option worth checking out.
• Fabric storage baskets — handy for gift packaging or organizing handcrafted presents.

In this post, you have learned how to sew 2 gift bags reusable with a free sewing pattern.

Disclaimer: All the patterns that I provide on this blog are for private and personal use only. You are not allowed to sell, distribute, modify, or share these patterns for any commercial or profit purposes. These patterns are my original creations and intellectual property, and I reserve all the rights to them. Please respect my work and do not violate these terms of use. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Some links are affiliate links , which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me create more free sewing tutorials for you ❤️