Let's face it, even though we purchase paper gift bags, we use them over and over and over again each year. Last year, I decided to make some fabric gift bags to use for our family gift-giving. I even used some old Christmas PJ pants (just cut off the legs and then seamed the bottom.) Some of the bags were so simple, it literally took the same or less time than it would to wrap a boxed gift. And there's no need for tissue paper.
I also had a stack of fun Christmas-print fabric that I'd been waiting to use on something special. The gift bags were a perfect project because now I will get to see the fun prints again each year. I used beautiful satin or wired-edge ribbon to tie them off.
If the gift is smaller than the package, you can fold it around the gift and then tie it off like a more traditionally-wrapped gift.
The best part of my fabric bags was that at Valentine's Day, I pulled out the red/white bags and clipped valentines to the bags for the kids' gifts.
AND then this last week, I pulled out the Christmas bags, dropped in the gifts, tied the bows (already tucked inside the bags from last Christmas) and whoa-la! Wrapping was done in minutes.
Now, I do still wrap gifts for friends in paper. But for immediate family, these bags are a easy
and cute solution. After the unwrapping is done on Christmas morning, I just roll up the ribbon, put in the bag, and then fold up the bag.
So here is my tutorial.
MATERIALS:
- Christmas-print yardage
- Holiday PJ castoffs
- Sewing machine and white thread
What to do:
- Cut two pieces and put right sides (printed sides) together. Sew on the three sides. Think: pillowcase.
- Trim the bottom two corners. This will create pointed corners when you turn it right-side out.
- Turn it right-side out. You can finish the top edge by hemming it or just leave it raw. It looks cute either way.
- Drop in your gift and tie the bow.
- Give it to someone you love.