Wednesday Sewing - Gift Bags

While you're out shopping this weekend, keep an eye out for discounted Christmas fabric and ribbon.  It's really easy to whip up great looking gift bags!  I worked on two different types from the same pattern this week.  One is simply made from Christmas themed fabric and sheer ribbon and the other uses iron on transfers on osnaburg (a coarsely woven cotton).  My original plans were to use watercolor pencils to actually draw designs on the cotton bags .... after doing one, I realized there was no way I'd be able to finish the number of bags I wanted by Christmas!  This looks like a next summer project!  So I drew the designs, scanned them, printed them out on iron on transfer paper, and ironed them on.  Easy and quick!  I've given you the link to a page you can print out and use if you're also feeling short on time.

Materials:
*2 9 inch by 14 inch rectangles of fabric for each bag
*1 two foot piece of ribbon for each bag
*optional iron on transfer designs found here

1.  Cut two 9 inch by 14 inch rectangles from fabric.  This makes a bag about 8 x 12 inches.  To make one in a different size, add one inch to your desired width (1/2 inch seam allowance on each side) and 2 inches to your desired height (1/2 inch seam allowance on the bottom and 1 1/2 inches for the top).

2.  Pin pieces right sides together and sew down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  The sewing didn't show up in this photo, so I added in red lines showing where to sew.

3.  Mark diagonally 2 inches across each bottom corner.

4.  Sew and trim.

5.  Turn top edge under 1/4 inch and iron in place.  Turn under again 1 3/4 inches and sew.

6.  Pin center of ribbon in center of the back of the bag - make sure you only pin it to the back of the bag.

7.  Sewing only through the back of the bag, attach the ribbon in an hourglass shape to hold it securely.

8.  Add present, tie bow, and admire!

9.  To make a bag using one of the iron on transfers, I found it easiest to iron the picture onto one of the rectangles before sewing the bag together.  For more info on transfers, see this past post.

Happy Creating!  Deborah