Christmas Fabric Gift Bag

Christmas fabric gift bags create new sharing traditions. You can give these drawstring bags as gifts or use them within the family for years.

They are easy to make.

Supplies
1 yard or metre cotton dark Christmas print, bottom of bag
1 yard or metre cotton light Christmas print, top of bag
2 yard or metres plain cotton lining
10 yards or metres matching rope or string

Instructions
Cut dark, light and lining fabric in pairs.

Finished Bag size and cutting dimensions
Small  bag size: 5 1/2" x 6 1/2" -- Dark Fabric: cut (6" x 3 1/4") x 2 pieces;
Light Fabric: cut (6" x 4 1/4") x 2 pieces; Lining Fabric: cut (6" x 7") x 2 pieces

Medium bag size: 9 1/2" x 13 1/2" -- Dark Fabric: cut (10" x 6 1/4") x 2 pieces;
Light Fabric: cut (10" x 8 1/4") x 2 pieces; Lining Fabric: cut (10" x 14") x 2 pieces

Large bag size: 14 1/2" x 20 1/2" -- Dark Fabric: cut (15" x 9 1/4") x 2 pieces
Light Fabric: cut (15" x 12 1/4") x 2 pieces; Lining Fabric: cut (15" x 21") x 2 pieces

Cut lining in pairs

Place one light and dark Christmas print right sides together. Two per bag.

Sew together, leaving 1/4 " seam allowance.

Iron seam open.

Place the two print pieces together, right side facing. For small bags mark on top piece, on both side at 1" and 1 1/2" ( 1 1/2" and 2 1/4" for medium and large bag) This is the opening for the rope or string.

Using a large thread spool to mark and  cut round bottom corners.

Sew print fabric pieces together on the sides and bottom, leaving the marked openings for the string open. Use 1/4" seam allowance.

Place lining pieces together, mark or pin an 1 1/2" for small bag (2" for medium and large bag) opening on the side.

Using a large thread spool to mark and  cut round bottom corners.

Sew lining pieces together on the sides and bottom, leaving an 1 1/2" (or 2") opening on the side to sew later. This opening is to turn bag inside out later. Use 1/4" seam allowance when sewing.

Turn lining inside out.

Place lining inside print fabric, right sides together.

Pin sides together.

Sew all around the top, leaving  1/4" seam allowance.

Pull out lining and find side opening.

Arrange side opening , tucking seam allowance inside and sew carefully on top.

Align lining inside.

Check opening for rope or string.

Sew top of bag at 3/4" from edge.(1 1/4" for medium or large bag)

Sew top again at 1 1/4 " from edge.(2" for medium or large bag)

Cut two 15" pieces of rope for small bag (30" x 2 for medium bag, 50" x 2 for large bag), or measure sides and top of bag for approximate length of rope x 2 ropes.

Insert rope. 15 " x 2 for small bags.

Tie rope ends together.

Finished bag.

Pot holders using quilting fabric

Start from the bottom and scroll up to see how these were cut and sewed together like a small quilt. Great winter project.

Pot holders using quilting fabric.

Front loop

Loop from the back.

Stitch in the ditch sewing.

Pinned border.

Back view. Pin border from the front of the pot holder.

Stop sewing the border at the last inside corner. Sew border on the front.

Quilting the top of the pot holder. I use a ruler as a guide instead of marking lines.

Marking the longest lines with a ruler.

Pressing gently into the fabric with a ruler just before you sew the quilt lines makes it easier to sew a straight line.

Layers of fabric, front fabric is on top.

Pick two separate cotton fabric, cotton batting, shinny grey Insul Bright fabric for heat resistance, cotton border material and cotton thread.