Quick and Easy 1/2 Yard Gift Bag Tutorial!


I’ve been on a mission to get rid of wrapping paper and other disposables entirely for gift giving. The waste is kind of bananas and the super cute stuff I love always costs a fortune.

I looked around for a super simple and quick bag tutorial and couldn’t find anything that I loved. So I worked this out and I’m sending it to you! This is the perfect quick project for making a bunch to have in your holiday supplies and fast enough to knock one out when your kid says they have a party to be at in a few hours! 

So grab a cute half yard of fabric (non directional is easiest!), a yard and a half of ribbon, and make a drawstring gift bag with me. To make it even more budget friendly, be sure to pick out some great quilting fabrics on sale!


1. Fold your fabric right sides together

 Fold your half yard of fabric right sides together with selvages matched up at the top. The selvages are going to help later. 

reusable half yard fabric bag

 2. Fold the bottom of the fabric

 Fold the bottom of the fabric within itself at both edges, 2” up. Here’s what it will look like. This easy technique gives you a boxed bottom and is totally optional. Skip it if you just want a flat bag. 

how to make a reusable fabric bag


Related: Quick & Easy NO SEW Basket Project!

 

3. Place your clips 

Place your clips to hold the boxed bottom in place. Sew, stopping 2” from the open top edge. Mark with pins if that is easier for you. 

how to make a reusable fabric gift bag

4. Press your seams open

 Press your seams open, continuing to open the fabric past your seam line so you have 1/4 all the way to the top. 

reusable fabric bag

5. Sew a U shape 

Sew a U shape along that open part so the seam is finished. (If you need help, take a look at the picture below.)

sew a reusable gift bag from quilt fabric

 

6. Fold the top edge down


Fold the top edge down 1”, and press all the way around the bag. Our selvages work nicely here for a tidy look. 

quilt fabric gift bag

 

7. Sew around the bag


 Sew all the way around the bag at the edge of your pressed down selvage.

sewing a quilted gift bag

 

8. Turn your bag right side out

 

Turn your bag right side out and thread some ribbon through the channel. Tie a knot at the end. 

reusable gift bag tutorial

 

9. Put your gift in the bag


Fill it with a gift! This size fits a lap quilt nicely. 

finished gift bag tutorial

Now that you know this technique you can vary the size of bag easily! 

Happy stitching and gifting!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Brassens

Hi, I’m Michelle! I’ve never met a craft I didn’t like. Sewing however was where I really found my groove! So I left behind life as a pastry chef and concentrated on making things with fabric instead of food. I work at Dinkydoo Fabrics now and get to write about sewing and quilting for work. Stick with me and I’ll show you all kinds of tips and tricks, from beginner to expert maker level. Can’t wait!