Super Simple Party Favor Bag

I'm always searching for a way to use up scraps and leftovers, so here's a cute and fun way!



I made these bags for my daughter's 3rd birthday party, just big enough to hold some princess wands and bead necklaces for the girls, and some rocket balls and army men for the boys. And, of course since this is me, they are completely and totally reversible! AND, they take 30 minutes to make. 45 if you're a beginner. I promise!



Ready to make one? You totally can!

All you need is:
- two 18" x 8" cuts of coordinating fabric
- 15 inches of nylon webbing
- scissors
- sewing machine
- straight pins
- iron

note: I used scraps.. which means the straps on my bags varied from 12.5" to 18.5" and they all look fab, so perfection isn't necessary.

Step 1: Gather your materials.


Fold the first piece of fabric over, right sides together, so the fold is at the bottom and the raw edges line up. Press a crease into the bottom. This makes it easier to center the gusset later.


Now, sew up the edges, starting from the fold and sewing about 1/2" from the raw edges. Do this on both sides of the fabric.


So that you have this. The fold is at the top of the picture, and the raw open edges are at the bottom (so the laying bag is upside down in the picture)


Clip the corners off.


Next, to make the gusset, open out your bag, and with one finger in the corner, spread your hands and fingers out to form a triangle. Try to line the seam up with the creased fold and pinch them together. Hopefully the photo shows this better.


(This is how your hand looks inside the bag)


Here is where you pinch the triangle together.


Now, sew a seam across the triangle, setting the point on about the 1 1/4" or 3cm line on your machine's guide plate.


Repeat for the other corner and you have this:

Notice how my left side is horrible crooked. That is because I didn't line up the seam with the crease when folding. I could (should) have gone back and redone it, but these are party favors, and like I said before, perfection isn't necessary!
Clip the seam allowances off the triangles.


Turn the first bag right side out, and see your pretty gusseted bag! Notice at the bottom how the seam and the crease don't line up? The bottom won't be exactly square because of that. I really should have fixed that. Take that as a "what not to do" lesson.


Now do the same thing for your other piece of fabric. Go ahead, go back up to the top and follow the steps again if you need to. I'll wait for you right here.

Ok, now that you have two bags. Turn one right side out and leave one inside out, like shown.


Take the one that's inside out and insert your webbing strap into it. Then line up the raw edge of the strap with the seam on one side of the bag and pin it down. Be sure to center the strap over the seam. Repeat for the other side seam.


Next, insert your other bag into the first one. They should have their right sides together, with the strap in between. Line up the seams and pin both sides.


Now, insert the open edge of the bag over the arm of your machine, and starting about two inches before the side seam, sew around the edges, with about 3/4" seam allowance.


Stop about two inches after the second side strap/seam area and backstitch/reinforce the end of the seam. This is how we are going to turn the bag out.


Turn the bag right side out. You have this when you get it all untangled:


Now decide which side you want inside (but since they are completely reversible, it doesn't matter much) and stuff it inside. Press the corners all the way open with your fingers or a safety pin. If this bag wasn't so small, I would recommend pressing the top edges flat, but it's not necessary.


Insert the open end onto the arm of your machine, and starting on one strap, sew about 1/4" in from the edge.


When you get to the opening, make sure it lines up with the rest of the edges and sew it closed. Use your free hand to guide the fabric and make sure the fabric stays pulled all the way out. Continue sewing all the way around until you meet the thread where you started.


Done!


And you have a super cute, really basic party favor bag! Or a little purse for a sassy toddler. Or a holder for army men and crayons.


Now go make a few more!


And don't forget the boys!


Questions, comments? Something not make sense? Comment or email me at alexiajeandesigns at yahoo dot com.