From fabrics leftover from earlier projects and some reclaimed ribbon, I sewed three little & lined drawstring bags.
Little lined drawstring bags.
This is the YouTube tutorial, from Whitney Sews, that I followed to sew up these bags. While I used an A4 size sheet of paper as a template for these bags, you could make a larger or small version. The only change I made was to thread one long piece of ribbon right around the casing at the top of each bag before tying the ends together to form a long loop for hanging the bag up.
One little drawstring bag sewn from a sweet fabric.
A peek at the soft blue lining inside this bag.
These drawstring bags are the first handmade things I've crafted for gifting this Christmas. I am going to fill them with scented bath products, like these soaps that I purchased a little while ago and these bath bombs which I am very keen to make this coming weekend from ingredients I already have on hand. Together with a soft organic cotton hand towel, that I bought at Aldi much earlier in the year, I think they will make sweet gifts.
A pretty and reusable bag.
Drawstring bags like these are also a very pretty alternative to wrapping paper and can be re-used over and over again. Something to keep once all the sweetly-scented bath products have been enjoyed.
What are you in the midst of making at the moment?
Meg
Handmade gifts are so thoughtful I'm sure your friends will love the gifts.
ReplyDeleteI like to add something handmade to each gift, Kathy. Usually, it's just something small and simple like these bags or a knitted washcloth or homemade biscuits. I find too, if I use fabrics or yarn from my stash and little things I've picked up at good prices during the year, it also keeps costs down. Meg:)
DeleteI love the look of those bags and what a lovely gift they will be.
ReplyDeletecheers kate
Thanks, Kate. They are a very simple project but can be made quite special with some sweet surprises inside. Meg:)
DeleteThey are very cute and will come in handy at Christmas I am sure. I haven't been making anything lately as I couldn't even get to my sewing machine this week due to painting being done. The place should get back to normal next week so then I can sort everything out.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you might be able to get to your sewing machine in the next week or two, Chel. While a coat of fresh paint is lovely, it can be a bit chaotic having to live around painters and drop sheets and everything that's had to be moved out of rooms.
DeleteThese bags do indeed come in handy for gift giving. These bags are for three very dear friends but I plan on making two more for my nieces. Meg:)
I can empathise a little with you Chel, as until recently, my sewing room was buried under a bunch of boxes! Clearing it out, meant I could finally see my sewing supplies again. Nothing was going to happen craft-wise, until I could sort that mess out. I bet you're looking forward to next week, where you can start putting your stuff where it ought to be. :)
Deletegreat gifts & lovely little bags; that's what i do now, purchase bags to put their gifts in; some years it's a shopping bag size & other times it will be smaller 'gift' size bags, though i don't make mine, i buy them from one of ladies at our markets; i keep the gift giving small these days & usually for family & close friends.
ReplyDeletethanx for sharing
Thanks, Selina. We keep our gift giving to family and close friends too as I find it can become too expensive otherwise. I think little handmade things, that you make yourself or find at a market, can make a gift special without making it too costly. Meg:)
DeleteThey will make lovely gifts. I only wish I knew how to use a sewing machine. X
ReplyDeleteHi, Jules. I have taught myself to sew over the past few years and have found YouTube clips and online tutorials really helpful. I stick to simple things, like these bags, but try to use pretty fabrics and ribbons to make them that bit more special. Meg:)
Deletere your comment on my blog...some bread recipes are great and some aren't. The "Five Seed Bread" recipe on my blog is really great you can just mix it using a dough hook in a normal mixmaster even though my recipe uses the thermomix. Also a recent white loaf I made was nice and soft inside too. Google "Thermomix Recipe Easy Everyday White Bread" again you can just whip it up using your mix master. Kathy
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. Xx
DeleteYour friends/family are very lucky to be receiving such thoughtful gifts Meg.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jan. I try to put thought into what I give both in terms of what the recipients might like and also in terms of reducing need for wrapping paper, new ribbons etc. Meg:)
DeleteI love them! I haven't made a thing yet for the holidays, and I'd better get busy! I can't believe how quickly they are approaching.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly seems like the year is disappearing, Kath, and that holidays/Christmas time are fast approaching. I am just making small things that are quick to make so I can add a little handmade love to gifts this year. Meg:)
DeleteThose are lovely, Meg. I am working on a pair of socks. I have also been doing a lot of mending.
ReplyDeleteI read a great article about mending last night, Stephanie, as a way of prolonging the life of garments instead of throwing away and buying new. My favourite pair of denim shorts need patching ... again ... so I will need to get onto that soon too. MegXx
DeleteThey are very pretty, Meg. And very useful.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t make anything last few weeks. Last month I made some coconut soaps as Christmas gifts. I need to make more.
Have a great weekend, Meg. 😊
I hope you're having a lovely weekend, Nil. Your coconut soaps will make lovely gifts. Meg:)
DeleteThose little bags are so useful when travelling if the recipients don't want to regift them. They're great for keeping socks, underwear or shoes separate, or putting laundry in.
ReplyDeleteApart from mending I embroidered some doll faces while I was on holiday, to make whipping up cute little baby gifts quicker.
I think there are lots of uses for drawstring bags like these, Anne. I have several I use when travelling and I always have one with a knitting project or stitching project in it too. Your little baby gifts sound like they will be very cute with little embroidered faces. Meg:)
DeleteThey are lovely and such a great idea for putting gifts into. A great way to use up those small pieces of fabric you have left over for a bigger project. I hope they are well received.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm always looking for little things I can make to use up the odds and ends of fabrics from other projects. Last year, I made hair scrunchies with some leftover pieces. Meg:)
DeleteSo pretty! And I love your fabrics. Pretty fabrics perk me up! I don't now why I never think of fabric bags for soaps, etc! Thanks for showing me this! Andrea
ReplyDeletePretty fabrics make me happy too! Meg:)
DeleteThese have two things I love - cute and functional! Must feel great to complete these projects, knowing Christmas is just about to turn the corner. I hope you and your family, enjoy the holiday season. School is out in a few weeks now. Oh my!!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous Meg, I love little bags and they look so terrific when lined, and a great gift with something popped inside. I've been teaching a Special Ed class how to make them, it's been hilarious fun, and they've done a great job, but I quickly had to put aside any notions of straight seams, or neat finishing. They all plan to give their bags to their mums for Christmas....there'll be some happy mums around.
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you are teaching sewing skills, Nanette. It will be lovely for the mums to receive handmade gifts and I can imagine the pride of the children who have made them too. Meg Xx
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