Easy Gift Bags

♥ Great Beginner Project ♥

Designer: Christina Sherrod

Stitch the seams, hem the top, attach ribbon in the back. Then just tie the ribbon into a pretty bow, and you have a beautiful gift bag! Sizes small, medium and large.

Unlike my gift and wine bag pattern, these bags do NOT require a casing for the ribbon. The bag is stitched together and hemmed. Then you simply attach the ribbon to the outside of the bag (sewn onto the back of the bag). That's it!

You can add your own trimmings and create your own look. These make wonderful gifts themselves, or use them to present your gifts in. I have made several of both types of bag, and they have been passed through the family numerous times as they are used to "wrap" gifts.

Also see:
More Gift Bags
Bags / Purses / Totes

Not including the hemmed area above the ribbon, the bag sizes are as follows

Small: 9" x 9"
Medium: 9" wide x 12" tall
Large: 9" wide x 15" tall

Project Supplies

Small Bag: 1 yard of 45" fabric will make 3 small bags.
Medium Bag: 1.25 yards of 45" fabric will make 3 medium bags.
Large: 9" wide x 15" tall

Thread (to match background or ribbon - it really won't show under the ribbon so thread color is not too important)

1.5 yards of Ribbon per bag (for ties)

Optional: Ribbon, lace, etc. for trim

Sewing Supplies

thread
sewing scissors
quilting pins
large sewing ruler
fabric marking pencils
seam ripper
rotary cutter and mat (optional but nice)

All seams are 1/4"

NOTE: The diagrams are not to scale, but the pattern pieces do fit as shown.

If you prefer, you can cut the fabric to the following sizes, omitting a paper pattern.

For multi-directional fabric:
Small Bag: Cut 1 piece 13.5" x 34.5"
Medium Bag: Cut 1 piece 13.5" x 40.5" (or cut it 13.5" x w.o.f. for a slightly larger bag - w.o.f means width of fabric)
Large Bag: Cut 1 piece 13.5" x 46.5 OR 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 23.5"

For unidirectional fabric (pattern lies in one direction with the grain)
Small Bag: cut 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 17.5"; label one FRONT and one BACK Medium Bag: Cut 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 20.5"; label one FRONT and one BACK
Large Bag: Cut 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 23.5"; label one FRONT and one BACK

Now, lay-out pattern pieces as shown below. Use "multidirectional" for fabric that has a pattern that runs all directions. Use "unidirectional" for fabric that has a pattern that runs with the grain. Otherwise, the pattern will be right side up on one side of the bag and upside down on the other side.

NOTE: serging the seams omits this step.

Zig-zag long sides of all pieces (if serging, omit this step).

For the unidirectional bags: Fold each bag right sides together, across the fold line. Stitch 1/4" sideseams.

For multidirectional bags: Stitch the front to the back, right sides together, along each side and across the bottom.

For directions on making mitered corners on the bottom of the bag, go to: One Yard Gift Bag Set. Refer to steps 5 through 7. Draw a 1.5" sqaure for this bag.

Fold under the top edge of the bag 1/4", all the way around; press. Fold under another 3"; (4" on large bag). Press. Stitch hem.

6. Attach Ribbon

Turn the bag right side out.

Lay the bag so that the back is face up. Mark the bag in the center, on the hem stitch line. Mark center of ribbon length. Pin the ribbon to the bag, matching centers. Pin the ribbon so that its upper edge covers the stitch line on the bag. Stitch a vertical line across the ribbon, to hold it to the bag. Stitch again, to be sure you have a strong line of stitching.

Note: As an alternate to machine stitching, you can hand stitch the ribbon to the bag, or use fabric glue to attach the ribbon.

7. Tie Ribbon

Tie the ribbon around the bag. You can easily re-use this bag many times. Simply tie and untie. The ribbon is securely sewn, so it won't get lost from the bag.

Tie knots in the ends of the ribbon to keep it from ravelling.

Optional Trim: Add buttons, applique, bows etc.

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