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Drawstring Fabric Gift Bag Tutorial

November 26, 2012 By Amy @ Positively Splendid

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When it comes to holiday gift-giving, I really strive to make the presentation of the gift as special as the contents inside. Today’s idea for quick-and-easy drawstring gift bags will enable you to add extra panache to your holiday gift-wrapping, and because they are made of fabric, they can be passed along from recipient to recipient for many holidays to come. These fabric gift bags come together with just a few minutes’ time and a small scrap of fabric and other basic supplies. Let me show you how!

For this project, you will need…

  • Fabric scraps (refer below for the dimensions needed for each size)
  • Coordinating thread
  • Ribbon
  • Disappearing ink marker
  • Basic sewing supplies: sewing machine, shears, etc.
  • Decorative brooch or pendant, for embellishing your bag (I used a pendant from Styled by Tori Spelling)
  • Optional, but recommended: rotary cutter and mat

To begin, cut your fabric and ribbon to the following dimensions:

  • For a small (approximately 7-inch) bag: one fabric piece cut to 6×20″; one ribbon piece cut to 22″
  • For a medium (approximately 9-inch) bag: one fabric piece cut to 8×24″; one ribbon piece cut to 24″
  • For a large (approximately 11-inch) bag: one fabric piece cut to 10×30″ ; one ribbon piece cut to 26″

Fold your fabric piece in half width-wise, aligning each of the short ends. Pin. Measure 5 inches from the unfolded short edge down one of the long sides, and mark with a disappearing ink marker.

Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch from the mark you made in the previous step down to the folded edge of the piece. Stitch the entire length of the opposite long side. Finish the seams with a serger or a zig-zag stitch. Make a 1/4″ snip just above the point where your short line of stitching ends. (This should be right at the mark you made earlier.)

Fold down the fabric above the snip 1/4″; press. Flip the bag over and repeat on the opposite side.

Fold the top edge of the bag down 1/4″; press.

Fold the top edge of the bag (the edge you just pressed) down 2.25″ toward the inside of the bag; pin into place.

Note: The resulting cuff will measure 2.25″, and it should be precisely aligned with the snip you made in the previous step.

Stitch 1/8″ from the lower folded edge to secure.

Using your disappearing ink marker, mark 3/4″ from the line of stitching you just made.

Stitch along these marks to form the casing through which you’ll feed the ribbon drawstring for your bag.

Now, feed your ribbon piece through the casing with a bodkin (or a safety pin).

You are finished!

Fill your bags with any gift item that strikes your fancy: jewelry items, edible treats, and more!

To really make the polka-dotted bag shine, I slid a pretty pendant from Styled by Tori Spelling onto the ribbon before tying the bow. I plan to tuck a necklace bottom, connecting pieces, and some other coordinating pieces from the line into the bag for a marvelous, unique gift for any of of the ladies on my list!

Thanks so much for making PS a part of your day!

This is a compensated post written by me on behalf of Styled by Tori Spelling and Darice. Rest assured that all opinions expressed here are entirely my own, and I am dedicated to sharing products I feel my readers will benefit from and enjoy.

Amy @ Positively Splendid
Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

EVEN MORE GREAT IDEAS JUST FOR YOU!

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Filed Under: Budget-Friendly Gifts, Christmas, Christmas, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Gift Wrapping, Holiday Crafts, Positively Seasons, Sewing, Sewn Gifts, Tutorials Tagged With: {styled} by Tori Spelling, Christmas, Gift Wrapping, Holiday, Sewn Gifts, Slider

Previous Post: « Holiday Crafting with Klutz
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christina at I Gotta Create! says

    November 26, 2012 at 6:27 am

    These are so beautiful, Amy!

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 26, 2012 at 8:22 am

      Thanks so much, Christina!

  2. Erica says

    November 26, 2012 at 9:42 am

    So cute! I’ve got some extra Christmas Fabric that now I know how I’m going to use!!!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Terrific, Erica! Enjoy. 🙂

  3. Amy says

    November 26, 2012 at 9:45 am

    What a great idea for teacher gifts. I hate spending $$$$ on packaging who purpose is to be pitched. And what is a bodkin?

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2012 at 11:18 am

      I agree. I love making something that can be used a number of times. Gift bags are pricey! A bodkin is a tool used to feed things through casings: http://www.createforless.com/Dritz+Bodkin+Ezy-Pull+3+1/4/pid13120.aspx

  4. Amy says

    November 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Lovely fabrics Amy! What a simple but fun idea to dress up a gift. 🙂
    xoxo

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Thanks so much, Amy!

  5. Crystal says

    November 26, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    I wish I knew how to sew…these are so adorable!!! The brooch adds just that special touch to it. 🙂

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Thanks so much, Crystal! If you are ever wanting to learn to sew, this would be a great beginner project for you. 🙂

  6. Ana Lopes says

    November 26, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    So cute!!! Love the fabrics! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial!
    Happy week !

    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2012 at 11:20 am

      Thanks so much, Ana!

  7. Eva Scott says

    November 28, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    These are absolutely adorable. Thanks for sharing with us!!

  8. SouthernScraps says

    November 29, 2012 at 6:01 am

    These are beautiful. Excellent tutorial.

  9. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    November 29, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Great tutorial! I’m a fan of anything sparkly, so I love this project. 🙂

  10. Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says

    December 3, 2012 at 11:46 am

    These are super sweet Amy!! I love the little fabric bags and the sparkle really finishes them off!!

  11. Dorie Althauser says

    December 3, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    I found this tutorial through Pinterest, and I am just delighted. You explained this perfectly, and I’ve already made two bags. Thank you for the effort you put into this. I will need to find a way to keep up with your feed – looks like there is a lot of great stuff here.

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      December 3, 2012 at 11:02 pm

      Dorie, I am so pleased you have enjoyed this tutorial so far! Thank you so much for leaving such a gracious comment. I hope you’ll stop in again soon!

  12. Missy says

    December 8, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    These are so cute, why am I just now seeing them. Going to try and make a few. Great tutorial!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      December 9, 2012 at 10:25 am

      Thanks, Missy! I hope you enjoy making them.

  13. Heather - Chickabug says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:21 am

    I love those bags! It makes me want to throw a party just so I have a good excuse to make them! : )

  14. onel says

    November 5, 2013 at 5:11 am

    Prettiest gift bag I’ve ever seen. I love it with the big ribbon and a hanging charm 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing the tutorial!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:17 am

      You are so welcome! Thank you very much for the gracious comment!

  15. Lena says

    November 7, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Hey friend! Just found your blog through Pinterest and rather than just grabbing this tutorial and leaving I am most definitely sticking around and going to follow your blog! It’s absolutely perfect and wonderful.

    XO/Lena @ Root&Blossom

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