Halloween Treat – Easy Bag Tutorial

by tracy on October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween,Q-bies!

It has been an incredibly busy week, what with getting back from Houston and all. Of course, it would have been a bit easier if I had gotten some of my holiday sewing done before we went to Market! Somehow yesterday I got junior editor Cydney’s costume pulled together. (Still not quite sure how I pulled it off) She wanted to be the Mad Hatter and all I had was the hat.

<sigh>

Somehow, it all worked out with items I had lying around the house. I think it turned out okay? What do you think?

Riley Blake Fabrics was kind enough to send me a bit of its new Zombie Apocalypse by Emily Taylor. This fabric is too cute not to use today, so I whipped up a super-quick trick or treat bag to surprise Cydney with when she gets home. I snapped some pictures along the way in case you would like to make a bag like this for the young one in your life too.

This bag is so easy, it would be a perfect project to teach someone to sew. This literally took 30 minutes to sew, so it is quick and easy!

I show four fabrics here simply because they are so cute that I will make more than one of these easy bags! This design is completely flexible and more of a technique. Adjust the size of yours to the size of your little ghost or goblin so that it is “just right.” The soft handles will be easy on their hands, too, which was always a priority for my kiddos.

Cutting instructions

Outside of bag – cut two 15 X12 inch rectangles and two 2 1/2 X 22 inch strips

Lining fabric – cut two 15 X12 inch squares

Batting – cut two 1 1/4 X 22 inch strips

Fold the strips in half and iron, and then fold in the edges about a 1/4 inch and iron again so it looks like this. This will make the straps.

The batting will fit in like so.

Stitch down both sides of the strap to secure it. Note: the more stitching = the stronger the handle.

I used a 3.0 length stitch.

Next, set up your machine for a 1/4-inch seam and stitch around three sides of the outer fabric rectangles. Fabrics will be right sides together, of course. Do the same on the lining fabric rectangles, but leave an opening on the bottom that is at least three inches wide. When you are done, it will look like this.

Iron the rectangles before you proceed. If you like, take the outside fabric and fold the corners so that the seams on the sides and bottom are nestled together and the corner makes a triangle like this.

Stitch across 1 inch from the point. Repeat on both sides. This makes the bottom of the bag. Note: If you make the bag larger for an older child, make the corners larger by stitching farther in from the point.

The next step is to decide where the straps should go and pin them in place. Flip the bag over and use the pins as a guide to place the other set of straps and pin in place making sure that the pins only go through one layer of fabric.

Insert the outer bag into the liner bag. It will look like this and right sides of the fabric will be touching.

Pin around the top of the bag, making sure to match up the side seams. Stitch along the raw edge, using a 1/4 inch seam. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the bag.

Fold in the seam allowance along the opening and iron.

Stitch the opening closed and tuck inside the bag. Iron along the top edge of the bag and then topstitch along the edge to add a finishing touch and add strength to the design.

Your bag is done!

The great thing about this design is that you can use this as the basis for any tote bag. Make it in any fabric for a small book bag for a boy or girl in your life. Stuff it with a coloring book and crayons for a gift. Or, make it larger for yourself. The possibilities are endless!

A special thank you go out to Riley Blake Fabrics for providing the fantastic fabric and to Janome for providing the Hello Kitty 18750 sewing machine!