DIY Trick-or-Treat Bag - Free Tutorial

 

Supplies Needed

1/2 yard of printed fabric

13.5" x WOF lining fabric

Thread

Heat erasable pen

Pins or binding clips

Ruler or measuring tape

Sewing Machine

 

From the Deja Boo Fabric line, I selected three of my FAVORITE prints to use as DIY Trick-or-Treat Bags (or tote bags). I have three "pumpkins" of my own, so these will get plenty of use every year.

 

Cut your fabric

From the Printed Fabric

- (2) 4" x 22" pieces for the bag handles

- (2) 13.5" x 13.5" for the exterior main part of the bag

From the Lining Fabric

- (2) 13.5" x 13.5" pieces for the interior main part of the bag

 

Create Bag Handles

1. Fold your two pieces of bag handle fabric in half (lengthwise) with the wrong sides together - press with iron.

2. Next you will fold the raw edges in on both sides in towards the crease and press again. 

  

3. Fold the strap together again, creating a 1" wide piece where the raw edges are all facing the inside of the handle. Clip or pin together to hold in place.

4. Top stitch along the length of the strap using a 3mm stitch length. (Note: I used an edge stitch foot to help ensure that my stitching was uniform throughout the length of the strap.) 

5. Repeat to create 2 straps.

 

Create The Bag

1. Take your two pieces of printed fabric and pin or clip with the RIGHT sides together. Using a 1/4" seam and a 1.8-2mm stitch length (I used a 1/4" foot to ensure that my stitching was uniform), stitch along the two sides and the bottom of the bag. DO NOT SEW THE TOP. You will leave this open for the next step. 

2. Repeat with your bag lining fabric to create two panels.

 

Make your Pleat

1. With the panels remaining right sides together, fold the bottom corner of your bag lining so that it creates a triangle in the corner. Matching the side and bottom seam together will help ensure that you are lined up nicely. 

2. Press or pin together.

3. Using your heat erasable pen, mark 1.5" away from the corner, and draw a stitching line.

4. Sew along the stitching line. And trim off the ends leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. (you can then press with an iron to remove any left over ink from your pen)

5. Repeat for the other side.

6. Repeat with the printed fabric.

 

Assembly

1. Turn the fabric lining panel inside out, allowing the right sides to be on the outer part of the shell. Insert this into the printed fabric (exterior) shell. The inner and outer shells should be RIGHT SIDES together.

2. Pin or clip the seams so that they nest on either side.

3. Using a tape measurer or ruler, mark two spots for your handles. I found the center of the bag, and put my handles 5" apart. 

4. Place your handles between the exterior fabric and the lining fabric. (Note: Be sure that your handles are straight and that they are not twisted.)

5. Pin or clip the handles in place with the raw edges lining up to the top of the bag openings.

6. Repeat for the second handle.

7. Using a 1/4" seam allowance and a 1.8-2mm stitch length, sew along the raw edges of the top of the bag. BE SURE TO LEAVE A 3" opening so that you can turn the bag right side out. (Note: also be sure that your opening is not where the handles are. You want to ensure that the handles are sewn in place during this process.)

 

Almost There

1.Using the 3" gap, turn the bag inside out. Press the exterior and lining shells.

2. Push the lining fabric into the bag and press again.

3. Folding the raw edges of your 3" opening into the bag, clip or pin in place. 

4. Topstitch along the top of the bag using a 1/8-1/4" seam allowance. 

 

Finished!

 

Finished Trick-or-Treat Bag size: 13" x 13" x 2"

 

UPDATE 10/26/2023

Hey all! I made a new bag.. couldn't help myself! I simply HAD to use fabric from the Deja Vu Nightshade collection by Tula Pink *swoon*. With this bag, instead of making my own bag handles, I used some ByAnnie strapping in black. One thing that I love about this project, is that it is reversible friendly.. so if you have two prints that you cannot part with... just use them both and rock the one you are in the mood to show off! I LOVE it, and I hope that you do too!

XOXO - Autumn