What you will learn

Cutting to size
Backstitch seams
Making a casing
Threading a drawstring

Materials and tools

Cotton fabric (quilting cotton), two pieces each 8 in x 9 in (20 cm x 23 cm)
Cord or ribbon, two pieces each 24 in (60 cm) long and 1/8 to 1/4 in (3 to 6 mm) wide
Hand-sewing needle (sharps, size 8)
Polyester thread matched to the fabric
Pins
Ruler and chalk
Sharp scissors
Safety pin
Iron and ironing board

Before you start

Wash and press the fabric so it does not shrink later.
Seam allowance is 1/2 in (12 mm) on the sides and bottom. The finished pouch is about 7 in x 7 1/4 in (18 cm x 18 cm).

Step by step

Cut two rectangles of fabric, each 8 in wide by 9 in tall (20 cm by 23 cm). Cut two cords, each 24 in (60 cm) long.
Hem the ends of the casing first. On each rectangle, mark both side edges 2 1/2 in (6.5 cm) down from the top and snip 3/8 in (1 cm) straight into the edge at each mark. Above each snip, fold the side edge 1/2 in (12 mm) to the wrong side, press, and sew it down with running stitch.
Fold the top edge down 1/4 in (6 mm) to the wrong side and press. Fold it down again 1 in (25 mm) and press, to make the casing. Sew it with running stitch 1/8 in (3 mm) from the lower folded edge, through all layers, with stitches 1/8 in (3 mm) long. Secure both ends with a backstitch. Do this on both pieces.
Running stitch along the lower edge of the casing.
Check the casings. Each one is now a flat tube, open at both ends, and its hemmed ends sit 1/2 in (12 mm) in from the side edges of the piece, level with where the side seams will run.
Place the two pieces with right sides together, matching the edges, and pin. Mark the side seam lines 1/2 in (12 mm) in from each side edge, and the bottom line 1/2 in (12 mm) up from the bottom.
Start at the bottom of the casing on one side, 1 in (25 mm) below the top fold. Sew a backstitch seam down the side, along the bottom, and up the other side, stopping 1 in (25 mm) below the top fold. Use 1/8 in (3 mm) stitches. This seam takes several lengths of thread, so lock each one with two stitches in the same place before starting the next.
Backstitch for the side and bottom seams. Lock the thread at the start and end.
Press the seams open. Clip the bottom corners diagonally, 1/8 in (3 mm) from the stitching, to reduce bulk. Do not cut the stitches.
Turn the pouch right side out and push out the corners. Press the pouch flat. The casing is open at both sides, where the seams stop.
Attach a safety pin to one cord. Feed it into one casing opening and work it all the way round through both the front and back casing, then out of the same opening. Tie the ends in a knot.
Repeat with the second cord, starting at the opposite opening and working round the casing. Tie the ends in a knot.
Pull both knots away from each other. The pouch should draw closed. Trim the ends of the cord. Stop ribbon ends fraying with a dab of fray stopper or clear nail varnish, or knot each end.

Tips for a neat result

Use quilting cotton, which is firm and easy to hand sew.
Keep stitches small and even.
Test the cord threading before trimming.

Common mistakes and fixes

The cord will not pass through the casing.

The casing is too narrow or the stitching crossed it. Unpick the seam in the casing and resew.

The side seams are crooked.

The lines were not marked. Draw chalk lines and pin before you sew.

The pouch will not close.

The cords are tangled or one is only in half of the casing. Check that each cord goes round the full casing.

Check your result

The pouch is 7 in wide, with straight side seams.
Both cords draw the pouch closed, and the seams are secure.