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Smiling Santa Gift Bag

  • Completed Project: Smiling Santa Gift Bag Picture #1

Easy, reusable Santa gift bag

I’ve been making these Santa bags for a lot of years now, but this is the first time I’ve ever ever shared a how-to for it.

Other similar bags I’ve made include Rudolph, Christmas kitties and Christmas trees. Change the basic bag to any color and add polka dots or stars for an easy birthday bag!

Smiling Santa is reusable, giftable, and darn cute. He’s fast to make with simple embroidered stitches and a button nose. If hand stitching isn’t your thing, fabric paint will work in a pinch!

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    supplies

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    I use eco-friendly acrylic felt. It’s easy to find, cheap (20 cents a sheet) and sturdy.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    Find the bottom of your bag and cut 1″ squares out of the opposite corners for each white sheet.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    This will create a faux gusset and allow your gift bag to stand up.


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Cut the flesh-colored felt sheet down to 8″ x 5 1/2″.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Fold in half and cut a gentle curve.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    Open flesh-colored felt. Align 1″ from top of bag, centering so that each side has approximately 1/2″ of white felt show

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Using the white embroidery floss, hand stitch a running stitch around the two sides and bottom of the face.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Add eye details with a straight stitch (eyebrows) and chain stitch (eyes).

  10. Step 10

    Step 10

    Add button nose with red embroidery floss. Add mouth, also with red embroidery floss, using the chain stitch.

  11. Step 11

    Step 11

    Pin two pieces of white felt together, face inside.

  12. Step 12

    Step 12

    Machine stitch 1/4″ seam on two sides and across bottom.

    Optional: hand stitch on the inside OR hand stitch on the outside using red embroidery floss.

  13. Step 13

    Step 13

    Fold the open corners on the bottom together, matching outside seams. Fold seams in opposite directions to reduce bulk.

  14. Step 14

    Step 14

    Pin in place.

  15. Step 15

    Step 15

    Machine stitch bag corners.

  16. Step 16

    Step 16

    Turn bag right side out.

  17. Step 17

    Step 17

    Fold 1″ down on top of bag, overlapping face. Pin, then straight stitch around.

  18. Step 18

    Step 18

    Stitch under side seam.

  19. Step 19

    Step 19

    Finished stitching on the top of bag.

  20. Step 20

    Step 20

    Cut two 12″ x 2″ strips from red felt.

  21. Step 21

    Step 21

    Fold straps lengthwise.

  22. Step 22

    Step 22

    Straight stitch along the length with green embroidery floss.

  23. Step 23

    Step 23

    Pin handle to outside of bag 2″ in from the sides.

  24. Step 24

    Step 24

    Straight stitch snowflake or asterisk to hold handles in place.

  25. Step 25

    Step 25

    Repeat for the back of bag.

  26. Step 26

    Step 26

    Stuff with goodies and gift it!

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michelle G.

michelle G.

15 Dec 17:47

amazing job

ofenjen

ofenjen

15 Dec 19:29

Thanks!

KMOM14

KMOM14

16 Dec 07:28

It is very cute and you have done a great job on the tutorial.

ofenjen

ofenjen

16 Dec 13:06

Thanks! :)

KellBellBlue

KellBellBlue

19 Dec 00:47

that is adorable! that would even be a cute stocking. I love the bag!

KellBellBlue

KellBellBlue

19 Dec 00:47

that is adorable! that would even be a cute stocking. I love the bag!

ofenjen Posted By:
ofenjen »
December 15, 2008 17:36

Please check out my website  »
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Popular tags: Halloween, Costumes & Cosplay, Dressmaking / Tailoring, Painting & Decorating, Decorating, Construction, Christmas, and Decorating

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