Create: DIY Reusable Fabric and Yarn Gift Bags

Years ago I received a "shopping bag" during one of my rare trips to a Free People store. I still have that bag and have used similar ones from Free People for gift bags at Christmas time, etc. The bags were simply made from beautiful fabric and yarn. Of course I thought, "I can make those"! So...years later, I finally have!

With everyone doing their utmost to replace throw away plastic and paper bags of all kinds with reusable fabric bags, I figured I'd hop on the bandwagon with gift bags based on the design of the Free People bag I received so long ago. These bags can be made any size to accomodate any type of gift, a variety of fabric and yarn can be used, and they can be used year after year saving money and time once they are made.

Here's how I make mine:

First of all, here are three different sizes I use and the measurements for the materials:

Small gift bag:

1 fabric 3.5" X 7"

1 fabric 10.5" X 7"

4 pieces of yarn each 20" long

Medium gift bag:

1 fabric 3.5" X 10.5"

1 fabric 10.5" X 10.5"

4 pieces of yarn each 20" long

Large gift bag:

1 fabric 7" X 19"

1 fabric 21" X 19"

4 pieces of yarn each 36" long

Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric

2. Iron the top edges of your two fabric pieces. Fold fabric down 1/4" and press. Then fold over again 1.25" and press.

3. Line up the two fabric pieces right sides together.

4. Sew side seam together. Then line up the other two sides and sew those seams together. (I use a 1/2" seam)

5. With the smaller piece of fabric centered, iron down the sides of the bag.

6. Sew the bottom seam of the bag using a 1/2" seam.

7. Cut your 4 pieces of yarn.

8. Cut a tiny slit into each side of the bag. The cut will be just below the second iron line. About 2.25" from top.

9. Take two pieces of yarn. Line all of the ends together.

10. Push the 4 ends of the 2 pieces of yarn through one of the slits. Push from the inside of the bag to the outside. Then tie the ends together in one big knot.