How to make reusable Christmas bags: Sewing Tutorial
How will you be wrapping your Christmas gifts this year? Will you be on ‘bin bag duty’ again collecting all of the used wrapping paper & throwing a glitter & foil mountain out to landfill? Or will you be getting your Christmas All Wrapped Up with Reusable reusable Christmas bags tutorial?
Making beautiful reusable fabric gift bags and tags means you can to keep them years to come!
All the effort you put in making these will come back to you – we promise! Make these and be your future friend next year when your gift wrapping will be complete in a fraction of the time – whoop!
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We are super excited to share with you this fabulous eco-conscious way of gifting your loved ones this year. Our reusable Christmas bags gift bags have three different sized bags you can create, here’s what you’ll need for each one…
Small – Finished Dimensions (Approx):
H20cm x W23cm x D6cm // H8” x W9” x D2½ ”
| Amount | We used | |
| Main Fabric A | 1FQ Cotton Fabric | Santa Express: Presents by Makower |
| Fabric B For Drawstring Channel | 10cm x 50cm4” x 20” | Santa Express: Snowball Spot Green Metallic by Makower |
| Ribbon or Cord | 60cm | 4mm Braided Cord White |
Medium – Finished Dimensions (Approx):
H31cm x W33cm x D11cm // H12” x W13” x D4 ½ ”
| Amount | We used | |
| Main Fabric A | 1FQ Cotton Fabric | |
| Fabric B For Drawstring Channel | 10cm x 50cm4” x 20” | |
| Ribbon or Cord | 4mm Braided Cord |
Large – Finished Dimensions (Approx):
H44cm x W38cm x D15cm // H17” x W15” x D6”
| Amount | We used | |
| Main Fabric A | 50cm Cotton Fabric | |
| Fabric B For Drawstring Channel | 10cm x 50cm4” x 20” | |
| Ribbon or Cord | 4mm Braided Cord |
To match, we have put together a gorgeous gift tag which you can personalise every year as it features chalk cloth! Check out our blog for this here.
- 12” x 8” Main Fabric – We used Santa Express from Makower
- 6” x 4” Chalk Cloth
- 6” x 4” Interfacing
- 6” x 4” Bondaweb
The sewing kit you will need for both projects:
- Sewing machine
- A bodkin or safety pin
- Fabric Scissors OR rotary cutter, mat & ruler
- Tape Measure
- Pins or Clips
To get the free patterns and tutorials, just purchase anything from our Christmas Shop (which is currently 10% off until 18th July 2021!) and they’ll be pinged straight to your inbox!
All we ask is that you tick the little ‘newsletter’ box at the checkout stage so we have permission to email you. Not only will you get the tutorial to make the gift bag and tag, you’ll get a full tutorial on how to make a bow cushion and a personalised santa sack!
Personalised Santa Sack Tutorial with Free Templates
Get 3 FREE Christmas Projects straight to your inbox!
Christmas Coaster DIY – Speedy Make!
We’re getting into the party spirit with this Christmas project and thinking about Christmas entertaining with a pretty table. Learn how to make this DIY Christmas coaster.
To help protect your table and carry your Christmas theme through to the lounge we have created these clever Christmas coasters.
They are incredibly quick to make and so pretty. Furthermore, they’re sure to impress your guests.
A simple sewing project for beginners
Rotary cutter project
This Christmas coaster project is ideal if you’re getting to grips with your rotary cutter and quilting ruler; with the added bonus
Moreover, using a rotary cutter makes this quick make, even quicker.
Find our selection of rulers and cutting mats here and rotary cutters here.
You Will Need:
- Fabrics A: 1FQ Cotton fabric use for both front & back (we used: Makower Reindeer – Red metallic)
- Fabric B: 1 FQ Cotton fabric contrast front fabric (We used: Makower Scandi star – Cream metallic)
- 0.25 m Woven interlining
- Thread (we used: Gutermann colour 38)
*this is enough to make 4 coasters, for fussy cutting/ directional prints, allow more.
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Resources
If you’re looking to co-ordinate your Christmas table check out these tutorials:
- Here is our speedy Napkin tutorial, that will help you master mitred corners.
Looking to have a more sustainable Christmas? Our reusable crackers can be used time and time again without losing their snap. Find the tutorial here.
New to woven interlining? Check out our product guide here, to discover why we love it!
Important Notes
¼” seam allowance throughout, unless directed.
For steps using machine sewing, straight stitch, backstitching at the start & end using stitch length 2.5 unless otherwise stated.
Prepare your fabrics as per manufacturer’s care advice.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
For each coaster: Cut out the fabrics as follows
- Fabric A: 3 x 5” squares of front/ backing fabric
- Fabric B: 2 x 5” squares of contrast fabric of
- 1 x 4.5” square of woven interlining
Step 2:
Apply the interlining to the reverse of the backing fabric with a ¼” border around the edge.
For detailed instructions on using woven interlining check out our Guide here.
Step 3:
Fold and press the other 4 squares in half to form 4 rectangles.
Step 4:
Place the backing piece right side up, then 1 at a time, position the folded squares on top:
- Starting on the right, align the raw edges of a rectangle with those of the backing. The folded edge will sit along the centre of the backing piece. For fussy cutting, ensure the chosen element is right side down
- Place the next rectangle along the bottom of the backing, raw edges aligned, overlapping the piece to the right, folded edge to the centre
- Place a rectangle on the left, raw edges aligned, folded edge to the centre, overlapping the bottom piece
- Place the final rectangle at the top, raw edges aligned, folded edge to the centre
- Tuck the right side of the final rectangle under the top of the rectangle on the right to interlock them all together
Step 5:
Clip the pieces in place then sew around the 4 sides.
Step 6:
Clip the corners.
Step 7:
Turn the coaster out the right way, opening the rectangles out from the centre point.
Step 8:
press to finish.
And you’re finished, well done!
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We hope you found this tutorial useful!
Let us know how you get along in the comments below.
