My mom made reusable gift bags for our gifts from as far back as I can remember. She had special fabric bags for birthdays and for Christmas. Now that I have kids of my own, I can really appreciate the fabric gift bag…with all the toys they get, it takes 2 seconds to wrap their gifts when all I have to do is pop them in a bag and tie. Plus, it’s really convenient when the present is oddly shaped. I have little round paper gift tags with names on them that I reuse each year, too. So easy! So I thought that I would share how we made our gift bags. It’s a quick hour-or-less project that sews up with no exposed seams and a nice drawstring feature.
Materials List
-1/2 yard of fabric for a 16″x19″ bag (feel free to make bigger or smaller bags…I like to have a variety)
-36″ long piece of decorative cording (can be 1/8″ – 1/2″ in thickness, whatever your preference)
-color-coordinating thread
-fabric marker
-ruler
Instructions
All seams will be sewn with a 1/4″ seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
1. Pre-wash your fabric. No cutting needed if you are making the 16″x19″ bag!
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| Step 2 |
2. Fold your fabric wrong sides together, with the short (selvedge) edges touching. Pin one long edge and sew.
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| Step 3 |
3. Now we’ll concentrate on the other long edge. In this step, you will be making the hole in which you will later insert your cording through. Measure down 4-3/4″ from the selvedge edge. Mark with a fabric marker or pin. Make another mark 5-1/2″ from the selvedge edge. Begin sewing from the selvedge to your first mark. Stop and cut your thread. Raise your needle and put it down on the second mark (5-1/2″). Sew from the second mark all the way down the rest of the long edge. Don’t forget to backstitch at each end.
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| Step 4 |
4. Flip the fabric over so that right sides are together. Press. Repeat step 3 (take extra care to make sure you are putting that hole on the same edge that you did for step 3!), except sew a 1/2″ seam. This will ensure that your original seam will be enclosed, making nice French seams for your bag.
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| Step 5 |
5. With fabric right sides together, hem the opened end. To do this, fold the edge down 1/4″ so that it is wrong sides together. Press. Fold down again 1/4″. Press. Pin the folded edge. Stitch 1/8″ away from the edge.
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| Step 6 |
6. Now take notice of the edge of the bag where you sewed the little opening in step 3. Find the little opening in your bag and fold the hemmed edge down 1/2″ past the opening (wrong sides together). Press. With your fabric marker, draw a vertical line from your first mark that you made in step 3, down the width of the bag. Do the same for your second mark, as shown. Now sew each line all the way around, making sure to sew one side of the bag to the hem (do not sew both sides of the bag together). This will create the casing through which you will be inserting the cording.
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| Step 7 |
7. Find your little opening. Take the cording and attach a safety pin to each end. Attach one safety pin to the edge of the fabric near the hole, and use the other safety pin to push your cording all the way through the casing. Once the cording is completely through both ends, grab each end and knot it.
You’ve finished! Congratulations! All you have to do to wrap your gifts is pull the cording and tie in a bow.
I’ve received a few gifts in bags like ths and thought it was a great idea. I plan on making a few up for this Christmas with some holiday fabric I got at a yardsale awhile back..
These are a great idea! Now why didn’t I think of that?
Great idea, i must make some now, use up some fabrics
I have so much scrappy Christmas Fabric that my husband asked me to make up these bags about 25 years ago. I mitre the bottom of the bag to give it a flat bottom. I use peel n stick name tags, or just clear packing tape, and write the To: From: on it. I use fat yarn string and just tie the bag at whatever level is required. (These bags have made the rounds in the family for years. Our daughter requested bags larger than pillow cases so she could use them for very large odd shaped toys).
If I could share what I do for the casings: rather than go to all the trouble to start and stop on the side seams, I “un-sew” where I want the hole. Put another way, just circle-stitch around the top and open the side seam where you want to string the yarn tie. That’s easier for me than to try to match the casing-stitching to where I put the opening. But, you’re right! I’ve used these kinds of bags for years and nothing beats the convenience of just popping in a gift on Christmas Eve!
OH! One other tip that I’ve just learned: fold up the bottom to make a pleat and stitch along the side seams. It makes a dimple for a flatter bottom.
Sally, what a great idea on how to put the casing for the cording in. Another option would be to sew cording or ribbon into side seam where wanted. I am sending a secret Santa Gift out to another sewist and will use this idea!!
I have reread these instructions 5 times and they make no sense to me. I love the look of the bags, but I just can not figure out what is going on! 🙁
I agree with Deb above! I like the idea and look of the bags but can’t figure out the instructions. I’ve read them multiple times and am still not sure how to make them. 🙁
The bags are Super! but the tutorial leaves much to the imagination. Perhaps you could use a few more photo’s to make your point. (break down the steps) Step 3 is where I get confused. Are you trying to make a French seam? Thanks ~
Confused as well…
I also found these directions very confusing, as well. More pictures would be very helpful..
I have been making gift bags for 30 years, I hem the top edge and then use a beading lace, sewn on the outside, about an inch down from the top. I use ribbon through the beading. I also miter the bottom corners to square the bottoms. One niece even ask for a collection for a wedding present. Try them and you’ll never use paper again.
I make my gift bags out of plain material then embroider pictures and name of person to receive gift. At Christmas I use flannel with fun colourful designs for grandchildren them tell moms to reuse.