My daughter just turned seven.  I have always wanted to make cute little favor bags for her to give away to birthday guests, but it always seemed like too much work.  Not these!  I’m not kidding that you can whip these out in 15 minutes – just don’t worry about being accurate–don’t iron, don’t clip, don’t measure – they’ll still look beautiful. 

I wanted them to contain something Allie’s sweet friends could make.  Allie and I stuffed them each with a diy hand embroidery gift set which included 2 cards, needles and embroidery thread.  This way, Allie’s guests left with something memorable to make during a long airplane or car ride, or just a boring summer afternoon. What will you fill them with?

SIZE

Sewn on the long side they will be approximately 7.5" x 5.5"

Sewn on the short side, approximately 9.5" x 4".

MATERIALS
One Fat Quarter
Ribbon
Pinking scissors
Darning Needle
Sewing Machine
Complimentary thread

 

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INSTRUCTIONS

Find a fat quarter in an adorable pattern.

 

With right side of fabric facing down, fold one end of fat quarter over by about 1”, pin in a couple of spots. 

 
Repeat on the other side.

Sew a 5/8” hem on each end, using your foot as a guide against the cut edge of the fabric.  These will be the sleeves for the drawstrings.

Fold the fat quarter the other way such that the ends without drawstring sleeves, the raw edges, meet in the middle.  The drawstring sleeves will be at the top and the bottom

Beginning at the stitched line of the drawstring sleeve (sleeve needs to stay open for the drawstring),  sew a seam the length of the fat quarter about 5/8” in from the raw edge, stopping at the stitched line of the drawstring sleeve at the bottom.  Backstitch at the beginning and the end of the seam.

Repeat on the other side.

Cut down the middle of the fat quarter with pinking shears, trimming each seam allowance to about ¼”

You will have two identical pieces with a hem on each end and a ¼” pinked seam allowance along the length of the piece.  Repeat the next steps for each piece.

Fold the piece in half such that the hems from both ends are lined up. Place a pin at each end of the fold, in the halfway spot, then unfold.

Using the pins and your presser foot as a guide, stitch a line from just to the right of the pin to just to the right of the pin at the bottom.  This doesn’t have to be exact, and it’s a short distance, just go for it!

Repeat just to the left of the pins.

It should look like this.  Do it with the other piece now.

Cut in between two sewn lines with pinking shears on both pieces.

You should have four little bags now! You’re almost done!

Turn your bags right side out.
[Fat quarter gift bag 16]

Thread a 1/4” ribbon through the drawstring sleeve with a darning needle for each of the bags..

Knot the ends of the ribbon together.

You’re done!  Whip through one more fat quarter and you have the gift bags for your next birthday party in no time flat!