This fabric gift bag is just so easy to make and they look lovely. You can personalise them so that they match the person you are giving them to.
How to Make a Fabric Gift Bag
What you Need:
- 1 pc fabric 14″ x 11″
- ribbon
TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO
You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:
- Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½”
- Olfa 24″ x 36″ double-sided healing mat
- Quilters slidelock
- Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
- Oliso Iron
- FriXion Pens
Watch the video below or scroll down for the step-by-step written instructions
Method:
- Draw a line ½” from the edge along one of the long edges.
- Fold over to create a ¼” fold.
- Press
- Draw a line 3½” from the top folded edge.
- Draw a line ¾” above the 3½” line.
- Sew from the bottom edge to the first line you have drawn.
- Backstitch at each end
- Leave the ¾” gap and starting with a backstitch, sew to the top of the bag with a ¼” seam.
- Fold over the top piece until the hole is covered. 1¾” should be enough, but do check to make sure that the piece you are folding over covered the gap and the line you drew earlier. Check the video for more detail here.
- Sew around the folded over piece with an 1/8th inch seam .
- Sew an 1/8th of inch sew around the top edge as well.
- Turn the bag through and place your ruler just above the gap. The gap on my bag started at 7/8ths of an inch from the top edge.
- Draw a line right around the bag at the measurement for your bag. This will help to keep the ribbon in place.
- Sew around the bag on that line.
- Turn the bag through and sew up the bottom edge with ¼” seam.
- If you want the ribbon bow to be on the side, simply lay the bag flat with the seam on the side before sewing the bottom seam.
- If you want the ribbon bow to be in the centre the lay the bag flat with the centre seam in the middle of the bag.
- Sew across the bottom with a ¼” seam.
- This will leave a seam line, which looks okay. But you could maybe add some lace if this is a problem for you.
- Turn the bag through
- Thread the ribbon through the gap, gather up the bag and tie a bow.
- All finished.
How easy was that. And just look at how cute these little gift bags are.
Emma says
I’m like everything!
Thank you so much
Alanda says
That’s great Emma. I’m really happy that you like everything. 🙂
Noelle I Prairie says
Love all your videos, Thank you so much for sharing . Can you tell me the size of the ruler , Love it! BTW, Im making these as my Christmas gift bags!! You do an AWESOME job !
Alanda says
Thanks for your lovely comments Noelle.
The ruler is a Creative Grids ruler. Just love these as they don’t slip when you use them. It measures 8″ x 24″. I’ve added links to the products used in the tutorial to the top of this post.
Janet Fagan says
Hi Alanda, I love the way you give step by step instructions, I’m a beginner but can easily follow your videos, thank you so much, any easy sewing crafts will be greatly received
Alanda says
So glad we could help Janet. If you want more tutorials, you can check out all of them on our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/alandacraft
Jayaslings says
I used your tutorial and had great success on my first try and I’m a beginner. Thank you for the great instructions. so pleased with my bag.
Alanda says
Excellent. Maybe you would like to share some photos of your gift bag with us on our Readers Project page. Here is the link https://www.alandacraft.com/category/readers-projects/ We love seeing our readers projects. 🙂
Stephany says
I followed your link but can’t see how to share the photos. can you give me an email I can send them to? thank you
Alanda says
Hi Stephany, On the ‘Submit your Project’ page there is a browse button just under where you add you details and some information about your project. Click on the Browse button and locate your photos on your computer and select the ones you want to upload. Give that a try and if you still have a problem let me know.
Grace says
Hi Alanda,
thank you for all the information you show us, I would like to print
out the instructions for my 12 year old granddaugher. She loves to sew and
knit. Unfortunately I live over 5 hours away, but I think this is easy enough
for her to understand and make on her own. Thank you.
Grace
Alanda says
Hi Grace,
We don’t have the ability to provide a downloadable PDF. But I’m sure she will have no trouble following the written instructions and photos. Just send her the following link so that she can access the page https://www.alandacraft.com/2018/06/22/quick-easy-drawstring-gift-bag/. You can always print the page from your browser as well. Cheers Wanda
Christie says
Hi Alanda, how would I adjust the pattern to make the bag bigger? I made the bag above for my first sewing project last night and it worked great! Just need them a little bigger.
Alanda Craft says
Hi Christie, as long as the fabric is cut in a rectangle it should work. We found the 3 inch difference between the two measurements worked for us. Ours is 11″x14″, so just cut the fabric to the size you want just making sure you cut the fabric as a rectangle (don’t forget to allow for seams). Here is a link so that you can see what Stephanie did to make her bag bigger https://www.alandacraft.com/2019/04/17/readers-project-stephanys-drawstring-gift-bag-2/. I hope that helps.
Rhonda says
What a great tutorial! Easy to follow and leads to a polished finished project. Whipped up three as a gift for a friend who is going zero waste. I know I’ll be making many more! Thank you 🙂
Alanda Craft says
That’s awesome to hear Rhonda. Maybe you would like to share some photos of your gift bags on the website. We would love to see them. here is the link in case you are interested https://www.alandacraft.com/submit-your-project/ 🙂