How to Sew Ribbon Trim to the Front of the Garment Bag

Although it's not necessary to decorate a garment bag with ribbon, it adds an interesting touch to an otherwise plain bag. Because the ribbon is only decorative, it can be attached using only a couple of straight seams on the sewing machine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric ribbon
• Garment bag panel
• Straight pins
• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine
• Scissors

1. Lay the front panel of the garment bag out on the work surface with the bottom of the bag nearer to you.

2. Cut one or more lengths of half-inch fabric ribbon as wide as the bag. If the ribbon extends over the edge of the panel slightly, don't worry about it.

3. Measure the distance between the bottom edge of the ribbon to the bottom edge of the panel. Carefully pin the ribbon, using the measuring tape as you go, so the distance is the same throughout.

4. Sew a straight seam as close to the top edge of the ribbon as possible. Reverse direction at each end to anchor the seam. Trim the thread.

5. Sew another straight seam close to the bottom edge of the ribbon, reversing direction at the ends and trimming the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Although a ribbon in a color that matches the color of the garment bag panel will be decorative, consider a ribbon in a coordinating color. You can add more than one ribbon to the bag if you're adding decorating touches in more than one color.