Ridiculously easy reusable gift bags tutorial

[motleycruiser]

These bags are so simple & fast to make it's almost a crime that people go out and buy gift bags. You can make them any size you need with any style of "ribbon" tie so be creative.

1. Cut 2 squares of fabric. With right sides facing out stitch around 3 sides. This seam allowance must be smaller than the ones further along. I sew this one at presser foot width & the next at 1/2in. If you forget you can always trim after sewing.

**When I make these I don't finish my top edges, I either use the salvage or peking shears. If you want a finished edge now would be the time to fold over one side on each piece & stitch.**



Yes I had in 2 different thread colors, shhhh

2. Turn you bag wrong side out. Iron for a crisp seam. Taking a piece of ribbon, fold it in half tucking it into a seam and pinning it (I usually do twice as wide as the bag for a nice bow). Sew at the larger seam allowance (ie. 1/2in)

I didn't iron, yours will look better


3. Turn right side out, Fill bag & use ribbon to tie closed.



Literally maybe 5mins of work. They are eco-friendly, custom, really cute, and free if you have a crazy fabric stash like me.

P.S. This is called a french seam if you are not familiar & it is what VB uses on most of her purses.

[rauni]

It took me a minute to figure out what you had done, but once I had, I thought "Brilliant!".  What a great idea to use french seams!  Saves from having to line it, which often prevents me from making things like this.  Now I will definitely make more bags, thanks so much for the tut!!

Rauni

[motleycruiser]

Thanks! I'm glad someone appreciates it.


I must suck at tutorials, I thought more people would be interested.

[helenleeks]

you big silly......you don't suck at tutorials.  your instructions made perfect, clear sense to me.

i've been using french seams on my grocery totes (making 3 inch square cut outs at the bottom and then boxing the corners) for a little while now.  don't know why i never thought to just do this to make gift bags. 

thanks so much for sharing!

[carolshepp]

You took some extra effort to make your bag!  I would love to get a gift in a bag like that!

[Cherry Bomb!]

What a great idea! And I love that you used french seams (I adore french seams ^_^). I would love getting a gift in a bag like that. I would totally keep and and reuse it as something like a makeup bag for when I stay over at friend's houses or to keep my flip flops in (i leave a pair in my car).

[3toadsandaprincess]

Wonderful!  I will definelty be making some of these.

[MandaRenee]

Great tute.  I was so confused at first (I'm barely a seamstress) but then...duh!  I'll definitely have to do these. 

[motleycruiser]

I make them out of non-holiday fabric so you can use them for other things. My family has always had a running joke about reusing wrapping paper/bows so this is just another way to continue on the tradition.

[Padester]

Great idea, and so easy!  Love the ribbon in the seam idea.  Much easier than trying to form a casing for it at the top . . . I might have to do this in future - esp for my kids' birthday party favor bags - they wouldn't take much fabric, and it would be really cute and easy . . . Hmmmmm . . .