Halloween Trick or Treat Bags

So we as sisters definitely got some of our craftiness from our mom, who made these cute Trick or Treat bags for all of our kids this year, and in less than an hour you can make one too!

This is what you’ll need: 1/2 yard of a Halloween print fabric

                                     1/2 yard fabric for lining

                                     1/8 yard Halloween print fabric for top edge

                                     2 feet (2/3 yard) 1 inch nylon strap for handles

                                     Thread

  (This amount of fabric will make two bags, so if you want them to be different from each other, buy 2 different Halloween prints and alternate using use one for the lining and the other for the bag. You will need 4 feet of nylon strap for 2 bags)

First cut your fabric to these sizes: Bag – 15 ½ by 22 inches

                                                       Lining – 15 ½ by 22 inches

                                                       Top edge – 2 ¼ by 22 inches

                                                        Straps – 12 inches each

Now to put it together!!!!

Step 1 - Top decorative edge: This strip is going to go over the top two inches of the bag itself to reinforce the top.  Measure 2 inches down from the top of the bag material and pin the top edge strip there with the right sides together.  Sew ¼ inch from top edge of strip. (In this picture, the strip is the candy corn print)

Then turn strip up and sew along the top edge to secure it.  (If it doesn’t quite reach the top, don’t worry! Just sew ¼ inch from the edge of strip. When you sew your top seam, just make it wide enough to cover your stitching.)

Step 2- Sew bag : Fold bag material so it measures 11 by 15 ½ inches. Sew down the side, sewing ½ inch seam (unless you have words printed down the selvage side – then make the seam wide enough that the words will be inside the bag). Turn at the bottom of the bag and sew along the bottom edge. Backstitch each end as you sew.

 

Step 3- Bottom of bag: This is easier than it looks! Stick your hand inside the bag and open up the bottom of the bag. Find a corner and match up bottom seam with side of bag making sure it is pulled tight with no fabric bunched up on the back. Measure 2 inches across as in picture. Sew and backstitch. Repeat on other corner.

Step 4 – Handles: Turn bag right side out and lay so top is flat. Measure over 2 ½ inches from sides. Pin straps (with one on each side of bag) placing them at the 2 ½ inch mark, with about 4 inches between edge of straps. Zig zag edges of straps to prevent fraying. Trim thread.

 

  Step 5 – Lining of bag: Sew as you did the bag in steps 2 and 3 above – EXCEPT

in the side seam leave about 4 inches not sewn about ½ way down the lining.

Step 6 – Put bag together: This sounds tricky but is really easy! Leave lining turned with the print inside. Put the bag inside the lining with right sides together and matching up the side seam. Pin the tops together. Now sew the two pieces together – when you get to a handle, backstitch across the handle so you sew across the top of it 3 times to make them stronger. When you have sewn the tops all the way together back stitch. Now put your hand through the opening you left in the side seam of the lining and pull the bag out! 

Step 7 – Sew lining opening closed:  On the inside of the lining sew the opening closed with a really narrow seam. Then stuff lining inside bag.

 

Step 8 – Finish top of bag: Working on the outside of the bag top stitch around the top of bag making sure lining is pulled down inside so it won’t show from the front of bag. This will keep the lining down inside and make the top of the bag stronger too!

                      NOW HAVE SOME FUN TRICK OR TREATING!!!