Reversible Christmas Gift Bag

Save a bundle this holiday season and create your own Reversible Christmas Gift Bag from Lisa Fulmer using fabric you already have at home. This is a great alternative to wasteful paper and tissue. Be sure to choose festive fabrics for some added holiday cheer.

Materials:

1/4 to 1/2 yard each of 2 holiday cotton fabrics
Coordinating color thread
Sewing machine
Rotary cutter (with plain and pinking blades)
Self-healing cutting mat
Large quilter’s ruler
Iron and ironing board

Instructions:

Measure and trim both fabrics to desired size strips using the quilter’s ruler, rotary cutter and cutting mat. Allow an extra 1-1/2″ in the width for seam allowances, and allow an extra 1/2″ in the length for the final top trim. For example – to end up with a finished 12″ X 15″ bag, trim each fabric to 13.5″ X 30.5″.
Fold over and press a 3/8″ flap to the wrong side along both long edges of each fabric.
Place both strips right side together, with folded flaps facing out, and pin edges together.
Straight stitch 1/8″ in, along both long edges, pulling the pins out as you go, to turn the strips into an inside-out “tube” – anchor your stitch line by sewing backwards a few stitches at the beginning and the end.
Turn the tube right side in, and press the seam edges flat.
Fold tube in half and straight stitch each side together, right up against the first seam, ending about 1/2″ from the top.
Trim the top edges just about 1/8″ with the pinking blade.
Have fun with lots of different ribbons to gather the top of your gift bag and tie it shut.