Easy Fabric Gift Bags: How to Make Simple, Stylish and Sustainable Wrappings

FABRIC GIFT BAGS ARE A BEAUTIFUL, REUSABLE WAY TO ADD A SIMPLE SEWN HANDMADE TOUCH TO ANY CELEBRATION!

Fabric gift bags are one of my favourite ways to wrap presents — they’re simple to make, fully lined, and completely reusable. Not only do they look beautiful under the tree or on a table, they’re also a great way to reduce waste without sacrificing charm or style.

Whether you’re gifting something big or small, these handmade bags turn any present into a keepsake. And the best part? Giving a gift in a fabric bag means you’re actually giving two gifts in one!

Supplies for Fabric Gift Bags

As you might have guessed, these bags don’t require a lot of supplies.  Naturally, you’ll need fabric.  Depending on the size of the bags you want to make, you could use scraps, or you might need a yard or more!  The best plan is to make some standard-size bags, like about 8″ x 10″ or so, some smaller and some a bit larger.  These instructions will work for whatever size of bag you need!

I like to make my bags using cheerful Christmas prints, but you can make them using any of your favourite fabrics.  Be sure to visit your local quilt shop or the Fat Quarter Shop and see what they have in store!

For the instructions in this post, I will be starting with two fat quarters that coordinate.  One fabric is the outside of the bag, one is the lining.

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You’ll also need ribbon for the drawstrings.  You can use any type of ribbon, but keep in mind that a satin finish may cause the ribbon and bag to slip open.

Here is a list of basic quilting supplies that you’ll need for this project:

• Rotary cutter and mat
• Quilting Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron and ironing board or pressing mat
• Pins or clips
• Fabric marker
• Spray starch
• Safety Pin or Bodkin

Want to watch just how easy these bags are to make?  Check out my YouTube tutorial here:

And remember to SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL so you don’t miss any of my upcoming projects!

Continue reading below for the full instructions.

Fabric Gift Bags – Step-by-Step Tutorial

Start by determining what size of bag you need.  These instructions are relevant to any size bag, but for this post, we’ll be making a bag using two fat quarters.

A note about seam allowances:  I am using a ¼” seam in all my stitching with one exception.  Across the bottom of the lining, I like to use a ½” seam, so that there is no bulk in the bottom of the bag.

Press your fabric

I chose to starch my fabrics before I cut anything, to make sure that my seams would be nice and crisp.  Mary Ellen’s Best Press is my favourite fabric starch!

Cut your fabric

I cut each of my fat quarters in half so that my pieces measure 11 inches x 18 inches in size.  I’ve chosen the solid colour as the lining and the vibrant print as the outside of the bag.

Stitching

Place one lining piece and one outside piece together with right sides facing.  Stitch along the top (short edge) as shown below.  Press your seams open after stitching.  Repeat this step for the other two pieces of fabric.

Once your top seams are pressed open, layer your two pieces with right sides together.  Line them up at the seam and make sure that they are facing the same direction.  The outside pieces should be together, and the lining pieces together.

Using a pin or fabric marker, make a mark on the long side of the outside piece, approximately 2 inches from the top seam.  Make a second mark 1 inch below the first and repeat on the other side.  The distance between marks will depend on the side of ribbon you are using as drawstrings.  My ribbon is approximately ½”, so a 1-inch gap is fine.  You can see the marks I have made in the image below.  These are the openings for the drawstring.  You do NOT need to make the same marks on the lining.

You will also mark the bottom of the lining to leave an opening of roughly three or four inches.  This opening will allow you to turn the bag right side out after stitching.

Stitch around the entire bag, leaving openings at the marks on the bottom and the sides.

Press your seams open and turn the bag right side out.  Stitch the opening in the lining closed and push the lining inside the outer portion of the bag.  Stitch along the top, if you wish.  This is optional.

Drawstrings

Using the openings in the side seams as guides, stitch two lines all the way around the bag, as shown below.  Be sure to use a reverse stitch over the side seams, as pulling the drawstrings in and out can create a little wear and tear on the bag.  Reinforcing the seams will help to prevent tears.

Once your seams are sewn, prepare your ribbon.  I like to use approximately three times the width of the bag as a measurement for my ribbon.  For example, if my bag is 10 inches wide, I will cut a 30-inch piece of ribbon.  You will need two pieces of ribbon the same length.

Using a safety pin or bodkin, feed your ribbon into the bag as follows:

One piece of ribbon will go into the left seam opening, wrap around the bag and exit the left seam opening.

The second piece of ribbon will go into the right seam opening, wrap around the bag and exit the right seam opening.

Tie the ends of your ribbon to ensure they don’t escape the bag!

And just like that, your gift bag is done!  These gift bags are perfect for odd-shaped items, advent calendars or even under the tree!

Remember that bags like these aren’t just for Christmas – Mother’s Day, birthdays or any other special day deserves a special bag.  After all, when you give a gift in a handmade wrap, you’re really giving two gifts in one!

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