Christmas count down bags

These Christmas count down bags have been on my "to-sew" list for years.  

They're fun for all ages. 

their bright cheeriness goes a long way during your Christmas season.  I take the even days, my husband takes the odd.  He fills mine with all sorts of treats :)   I fill his with things like a zebra mechanical pencil and a cool travel bottle :0

The numbers are written with a permanent pen onto duck canvas.

It's a nice way to be engaged in the feeling of giving (and receiving :) for the whole month.

reusable grocery bags

Have you seen the craze for reusable grocery bags on pinterest and IG?  They're definitely the way to go if you don't like the plastic stacking up.  

After some research, I found that I liked this pattern made by "michellepattern" the best:

Michelle's Patterns PDF Grocery Bag Pattern

Michelle's pattern has 3 different options.  The finished sizes are:

small - 12" x 10" x 4"
medium- 13" x 12" x 5"
large- 14" x 14" x 6"

The medium is the size of a grocery store bag, but I prefer mostly large for the grocery store, and a few medium for heavier items.

(both medium)

 The bottom of the bag is sewn in such a way that it opens up. (large)

The great part of this project, is that you can use all those cute fabrics that you bought a long time ago but never put into a quilt because the design in the print was too big.



I've been trying to think of other uses for such a cute bag.  You should definitely keep one in your car!

And you should make them for your kids and grandkids for halloween bags, matching their costume, of course.

Or for a ballet bag.  

Or put them in a basket by your back door so you don't forget them.

What else do you use bags for?  I feel like I'm becoming a bag lady!

draw string bags

These bags are fun and easy to make.  

Inspiration for this tutorial comes from Empty Bobbin.   She uses them for party treat bags for kids and grandkids.  I can think of a million ways to use them.  It's a great tutorial, I just needed to record a few extra steps for myself for when I make these bags again.  You're welcome to join along.

Supplies you will need:

-  2 fat quarters (coordinating, using the light one for the inside of the bag, making it easier to see inside)

-  1 yard of 3/16" cording (can be found at big box store)

- compass

- disappearing ink marker

** all seams are 1/4 inch

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut one 19" x 8.5" rectangle from each of the two fat quarters. 

Turn rectangles to the wrong side.  On one end of the short side of the rectangle, make marks 1" and 2" down from the top.  You will need these to keep a 1" opening for the cording.  

On the LINING only, make an additional set of marks at 4" and 7".  (This will be used to turn the bag right side out after assembly.)

Set your compass so that it will result in a 6" diameter circle. 

Draw the circle on the lighter fabric, then cut them both out together.

This is where I added an extra step. 

To add support to the bottom of the bag, cut a circle of batting (or interfacing) the same size as the circle.

Fold each rectangle right sides together and sew along the short sides.  Be sure to leave the 1" opening on the darker (outer) fabric, and the 1" and 3" openings on the lining fabric.

Iron open the seams, making a good crease (you will be sewing that 3 inch hole closed and a crisp crease will be nice).  You should have 2 tubes of fabric.

Pin the circles to the bottom of the tube, away from the 1" opening, double check that last step for both tubes.  (I'm not a pinner, but I'd highly recommend pinning for this part, you won't have puckers if you use pins)  

Sew the circle to the tube.  Repeat for the lining, including the batting which will face the wrong side of the fabric.

Stitch each piece.  Clip all the way around to relieve tension.  Careful not to clip your stitches!

Place darker tube inside lighter tube, right sides together.  Match up seams, making sure that the 1 inch holes line up.  Sew all the way around the top.

Pull dark side out through 3 inch hole.  

Sew the 3 inch hole closed in the lining, barely catching both edges.  

Stuff lining into bag

Press the top flat, gently rolling the inner fabric in just a little.  This will give a more finished look from the outside of the bag. 

 

With a disappearing pen, mark 3/4" and 1 3/4: away from the top, around the inside of the lining.

Sew along both lines, reinforcing starts and stops, to create casing for cord.

Using a safety pin, thread the cording through the casing.  Tie a not at the end with both cords.

I used some "fray check" to keep my cording from unraveling.

linked up:

freshly pieced

tutorials

hanging sleeve

chenille binding

doll quilt

doll quilt

paper piecing

grocery bags

when to clip your seams

making PJ's with no pattern

whole cloth quilts

ruffled apron

cutting table from dresser

crumb quilt

Christmas count down bags

scrappy strip quilt

map quilt

 reverse applique

 raggy squares quilt tutorial

re-purposed denim bib

hexi quilt tutorial

raggy binding tutorial

 orange peel free motion design tutorial

 ruffled towel tutorial

cloth diaper tutorial

gift bag tutorial

airplane quilt tutorial

 trip around the world tutorial

summmer baby blanket tutorial