Drawstring Goody Bag

I made this patchwork drawstring goody bag over the weekend after being inspired by the flag my daughter brought back from her school!!! Happy Birthday, Malaysia!!! 53rd Anniversary since Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule, celebrated on today August 31. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!!!! 

I used 4 colors for the border on the drawstring goody bag which are also the colors of the Malaysian flag, red, yellow, blue and white.

The centerpiece is an applique of hibiscus, our national flower. You can make this for your own country, just replace the color combination of the squares and change the applique to something represent your country. For example:
USA – Red, blue and white for the border, some stars or an eagle head with red-white stripes background for the centerpiece.
Canada – Red and white colors for the border with a red maple leave as the applique.
Japan – Red and white colors for the border with a red circle for the applique.
etc….
or something for an occasion, for example:
Halloween – Orange and green border with a pumpkin applique
Christmas – Red, and Green with a Christmas tree applique
etc….
The design of the drawstring goody bag can be unlimited…..

Drawstring Goody Bag Sewing Pattern

Finished size: 5″ x 8″

Seam allowance (1/4″) is included.
Each finished square at the border is 1″ x 1″
Follow the tutorial below on how to sew a goody bag

1. 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for the back (red/1) and lining (beige/2)
2. 3 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ center piece (white with a hibiscus applique on/1)
3. 5 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ upper piece (beige/1)
4. 4 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ (red/1, yellow/1, blue/1, white/1)
5. 3″ x 1 1/2″ (red/1, yellow/1, blue/1)
6. 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ (white/2)
7. Cord or ribbon or soft twill tape, 20″ (not in the photo)

Sew (4) and (5) follow the color sequence respectively with seam allowance 1/4″.
Press seam allowance open.

Cut (4) into 3 equal parts and (5) into 2 equal parts with 1 1/2″ width each.

Join each square in the sequence of red-yellow-blue-white. Sew between the red lines for the corner.

Complete the border with all the squares. Press seam allowance open.

With right side facing each other, pin each edge of the centerpiece (2) with its corresponding border, start sewing from 2nd square to the 2nd last square of the border, which mean there will be 1/4″ from the edge unsew.
Complete all 4 edges.

Press seam allowance of the centerpiece towards the border.
This how the complete front block should look like.

Sew top piece (3), then the back piece (1/red) to the block.
Leaving 3/4″ from the top of the sides unstitch. This is to reserve 2 openings for the drawstring.

Topstitch about 1/8″ from the edge of the drawstring hole.

With right side facing each other, sew lining (1/beige) and leave an opening of about 1 1/2″ for turning.
Slip the front bag into the lining with right side facing each other.
Sew around the top edge.

Pull the front side of the goody bag through the opening of the lining.

Pull the front totally out from the lining opening and arrange all the corners nicely.
Fold the lining back into the goody bag.
Arrange the top edge nicely and press.

Topstitch near the edge and 1/2″ below to create the pocket for the cord.
Pull the cord through the pocket and knot the ends.

That’s it!!!! It may look a little complicated to sew but once you get your hand down to the fabrics, follow through this tutorial, it is not as hard as you think.

Here it is….. just put the goody treats in the bag and pull the cord!!!! The goody bag is ready to be given away!!!

What did I put inside the goody bag? They are Heart Shaped Chocolates in it and I have included a recipe in here too!