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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
45 mins

Craft Your Stash
STASH ITEMS: Fat quarters

If you collect yummy fat quarters like candy, you should never, ever have
to buy wrapping paper again. For those of you who might not know, a “fat quarter” is a pre-cut piece of fabric that measures 18” x 22” (45.5 x 56cm). Fat quarters are the perfect size for stitching up gift bags with just a few straight seams. The colorful fabric patterns make any present more exciting, plus these bags are reusable—it’s great to be green, right? They’re also great for packing delicates and jewelry when you travel.

Tip
Four fat quarters will make four bags: one large, one medium, and two small.

Posted by Fox Chapel Publishing Published See Fox Chapel Publishing's 13 projects » © 2024 Lisa Fulmer / Fox Chapel Publishing · Reproduced with permission.
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  • How to make a gift bag. Easy Sew Fabric Gift Bags - Step 1
    Step 1

    Large Bag
    Finished size: 171/2” x 203/4” (44.5 x 52.5cm)

    1. Hem the top. Make a hem on one of the 18” (45.5cm) sides of a fat quarter by folding the edge over (wrong sides facing) by 1” (2.5cm) and pressing it in place with a hot iron. Repeat with a second fat quarter. Stitch each hem in place. This hemmed edge will be the top edge of your bag.

    2. Pin the fabric. Lay the two hemmed fabrics on top of one another, right sides together, with the hemmed edges at the top. Pin the pieces together along the bottom and sides.

    3. Stitch the bag. Sew the two pieces together along the sides and bottom using a1/4” (0.5cm) seam allowance. Remove the pins, turn the bag right side out, and press it flat.

  • How to make a gift bag. Easy Sew Fabric Gift Bags - Step 2
    Step 2

    Medium Bag
    Finished size: 103/4” x 163/4” (27.5 x 42.5cm)

    1 Hem the top. Press and stitch a 1” (2.5cm) hem on one of the 22” (56cm) sides of a fat quarter. This will be the top edge of your bag. Fold the fabric in half to 11” x 17” (28 x 43cm) with wrong sides together and pin along the bottom and open edge.

    2 stitch the bag. Sew the fabric together along the bottom and open side using a
    1/4” (0.5cm) seam allowance. Remove the pins, turn the bag right side out, and press it flat.

  • How to make a gift bag. Easy Sew Fabric Gift Bags - Step 3
    Step 3

    Small Bags

    Finished size: 83/4” x 93/4” (22 x 25cm)

    1 Hem the top. Cut a fat quarter in half to two 11” x 18” (28 x 45.5cm) pieces. Press and stitch a 1” (2.5cm) hem on one of the 18” (45.5cm) sides of each piece. This will be the top edge of your bag. Fold each piece in half to 9” x 10” (23 x 25.5cm) with wrong sides together and pin along the bottom and open edge.

    2 stitch the bags. Sew each piece of fabric separately, stitching along the bottom and open side using a 1/4” (0.5cm) seam allowance. Remove the pins, turn the bags right side out, and press them flat.

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