Make and Sew a Fabric Gift Bag- PERFECT for Gift Cards!
Give that special ‘handmade’ touch to your gifts; Make and Sew a Fabric Gift Bag! This TUTORIAL shows you how to make a GIFT CARD sized bag! (You can make any size bag you’d like just by changing the dimensions and then continue to follow directions for sewing the bag.)
The measurements for this Sew Simple Gift Bag Tutorial are for a GIFT CARD. You can make this simple fabric gift bag any size you want by adjusting the measurements of fabric to be cut.
Sewing Supplies Needed
Rectangle fabric scrap 4″ by 15″ (or whatever size you choose)
Matching Thread
Fabric Preparation
Does your fabric have a pattern design? The fabric used for this tutorial has a small repeating pattern. If your fabric has a small repeating pattern- you can skip to the section: Sew Fabric to make your bag. If the fabric has a LARGE repeating design, you may need to cut your fabric piece in half; if you want to see the full design on both front and back of the bag.
Check by folding fabric lengthwise matching wrong sides of fabric together. Now look at both sides of the folded fabric; using folded edge as bottom of the bag. (see image below)
IF your pattern is UPSIDE down on one side (asymmetrical pattern), you’ll want to cut your fabric piece in half, making sure both sides of fabric have pattern facing the same direction, making sure the pattern is facing the correct direction. (Cut fabric so you’ll have TWO pieces of fabric each 4″ X 7 1/2″ or two pieces of your chosen fabric size)
I used a fabric pattern that had trees. Had I NOT cut my fabric into TWO pieces, my trees would have been ‘upside down’ on one side of my bag. DOUBLE check your pattern- EXAMPLE– I made sure the top of my trees would be facing in the same direction on both sides of the bag.
Design Tip BEFORE Sewing your bag
Trim across the TOP of the bag with pinking shears before stitching to have a fun effect on the top of your fabric gift bag. ( Cutting this top edge BEFORE you stitch prevents from any backstitching from being cut)
Sew Fabric to Make your Bag
Use a 1/4″ seam allowance for stitching the sides and bottom of the bag**.
If you have a SOLID color fabric OR symmetrical fabric pattern, fold fabric lengthwise matching edges. You’ll then have the two side seams to stitch together using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
**If you have an asymmetrical pattern you will be sewing THREE sides. You’ll start at the top of one length side, stitching down and turning the corner to stitch the bottom of the bag and then turning the corner to stitch back up the other side of the bag.
Finishing Seam Edges
You can use pinking shears to trim seam allowance edges which will reduce fabric bulk, especially in the corners, before you turn the bag right side out.
Turn Bag Right Side Out
Turn right side out and use a point turner to carefully push corners out. If you don’t have a point turner, use your fingers, a pencil tip or scissors with a sharp point, being careful to NOT poke thru fabric.
Congratulations, you now have a Fabric Gift Bag!
You can Make and Sew a Fabric Gift Bag for any gift and for any occasion! Just measure your gift and cut your fabric accordingly. You can use fabric pieces you already have, or choose a variety of cotton fabric colors to make your bag just PERFECT for the occasion!
What can you use to tie the top of the fabric card holder closed? Here are some ideas…
Gift Wrap Ribbon
Fabric- Cut a thin long piece of fabric with pinking shears and use to tie the bag closed.
Embroidery Floss
Thanks for reading and Happy Simple Sewing to You!
For any questions about this post you can contact amy@amyssewingstudio.com