How to Make a Simple Fabric Gift Bag

I love giving gifts but I don’t like the waste of wrapping paper.  Instead I like to give gifts in reusable fabric gift bags and this little bag is perfect for holiday or birthday gift giving.  They are super simple to make so that even a beginner sewist can create them.  There are loads of different fabrics to choose from depending on the occasion.  For this project I chose Christmas fabrics that I had on hand.  Of course I used remnants from my remnant stash but this project is perfect for fat quarters.  You will see just how easy this bag is to put together that you will want to make them for all of your smaller gifts.  The beauty of these bags is the recipient can give them to someone else so there is no waste.  

I purchased my fabric remnants at Joann’s but you could also head to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com to get the perfect fabric for your bags.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

If you would like a video tutorial of this project head over to YouTube and check out my video.  While you are there subscribe to my free YouTube channel.  

What you will Need: How to Make a Simple Fabric Gift Bag

• 1 remnant or fat quarter of fabric
• 22″ x 9″ piece of Pellon 808 interfacing
• 1 hair tie or 4″ of round cord elastic
• 1 button
• Standard sewing supplies

Step 1:  Cut your Fabrics

Cut two 22″ x 9″ pieces of fabric.  If you are using a fat quarter, simply cut the fat quarter in half lengthwise.  One of the pieces will be the outer bag while the other will be the lining.  

Step 2: fuse the interfacing

Fuse the interfacing to one of the two pieces following the manufacturers instructions.  If you are unfamiliar with how to fuse interfacing simply place the shiny glue side to the wrong side of your fabric and press until the glue melts and fuses with the fabric and the interfacing and the fabric become one.  

Step 3:  Cut the corners

Fold the fabric together widthwise wrong sides together and press.  Using a frixion heat erasable pen or other marker draw two rectangles at the folded corners of the fabrics.  These rectangles should measure 2″ wide and 1 5/8″ deep.  Cut out the corners.  Repeat for the other piece of fabric.  

Step 4:  Add the Hair tie

Center the hair tie along the top of the outer bag so that it is on the right side of the bag.  The loop of the tie should measure 2″ from the raw edge.  Stitch across the tie two or three times to secure the tie using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Cut off the excess tie.  

Step 5:  Sew the lining to the outer Bag

Place the lining and the outer bag right sides together.  Stitch the top edges using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  

Step 6:  Sew the Sides

Open the fabric and match the two seams you just sewed.  This way the outer bag and the lining will be right sides together. I nested the seams.  In other words I made sure that each seam was pressed in a different direction so they nested together to ease bulk in the seam.  Stitch along the sides using a 3/8″ seam allowance leaving a 3″ opening on side of the lining.  

Step 7:  box the corners

To box the corners match the side seam with the fold and press.  Stitch across the the corner using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Repeat this step for all four corners.

Step 8:  Turn the Bag

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening you left in the lining.  Sew the opening closed using ladder stitch. Press. Top stitch around the top of the bag for4 a more professional look.  If you are unfamiliar with ladder stitch check out this video. 

Step 9:  Add the Gathers

Pinch the sides together by 1 1/4″ and press.  Clip using wonder clips or pin.  Stitch a few holding stitches at the top of the gathers to hold them in place.  

Step 10:  Add the button

Fold the bag over and attach the button so that it matches the length of the hair tie.  You have now completed this simple fabric gift bag.  

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