Easy Fabric Gift Bag Tutorial
This post is a part of A Greener Christmas Guide, a series of posts dedicated to celebrating the holidays with a lighter impact on the earth. For more of this series, please visit A Greener Christmas Guide.
Remember when I eagerly announced that all of my gifts would be wrapped in items that can be reused or would have landed in the garbage/recycling bin? I’ve been chomping at the bit to get ahold of a sewing machine since we don’t have on in Germany so that I could start making bags.
Here’s the first one, perfectly easy for the jet laged or sewing inept. Or in my case, both. They’re just the right size for ornaments, candies, and small gift exchanges.
Easy-Peasy Instructions
1. Cut out a rectangle of fabric and lay wrong-side up so you see the back of the fabric.
2. Fold in 1/2 inch on each shorter side, press with an iron, and sew down the two flaps. These will be the top of the bag.
3. Fold bag in half, bright sides together. Sew top and bottom sides as shown so that only the part you already sewed for flaps is the only open side.
4. Flip bag right-side-out, fill with gifts, and tie with ribbon. Presto!
(Images by Katie for Making This Home.)
Keep it green and simple with 2 more ideas:
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 am
What a great Ideal. I found a pattern for sock monkeys so I am going to try to make some for my grandkids. This would be great for them to keep them in too. I don’t know if I can get them made by this Christmas or not. I have to find socks Like the had in the old days. Or ? don’t know yet. Thanks for the Ideal.
Grammy
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 am
You are so craftsy and creative! I don’t even know how to sew a button – I seriously take all things needing hemming to the cleaners. But if I did know how (or if I were inclined to learn) I would love to make these bags – so cute!
December 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Good luck with the sock monkeys, Grammy! I love how those little guys are gaining popularity again.
Katie
December 12th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Easy Peazy! It’s something you can easily do with a beginning sewer! I may have my 8 yo. dd make some and fill with candy to give some kids at Christms. Thanks for the idea!
December 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am
We received some bags like this during Christmas. Another great idea, make pillowcases for bigger items. If you are purchasing an item for someone less fortunate say from a church or angel tree, “wrap” your gift in a tablecloth, or in a pillowcase – makes festival yet usable wrapping.
Why not try this also for birthdays or other special occasions – anniversaries, weddings, birthdays!
Love your website!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Since you are talented in the sewing department, it would be a great idea if you make bigger bags that would serve as a great alternative to plastic shopping bags. Fabric shopping bags can be reused over and over and are therefore environment-friendly.