How to Sew a Fall Gift Bag

This fall gift bag is a nice way to wrap an appreciation gift for a teacher, co-workers or a next-door neighbor. It is the perfect size for wrapping a loaf of banana nut bread or whatever bread is your specialty. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with something special from your kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 yard orange fabric
• 1/4 yard brown satin fabric
• Two scraps of different fall print fabrics
• Small amount of lightweight fusible web
• 1 yard 5/8 to 1 inch wired ribbon
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Fall leaf pattern

Instructions

1. Cut out two 10-by-16 pieces from the orange fabric.

2. Iron the fusible web to the back of the two fall scraps.

3. Trace one fall leaf on the back of each fused scrap. Cut out each fused leaf.

4. Peel the paper backing from each fused leaf. Working with one orange piece for the front of the bag, stagger and place the leaves 3 inches from one short end (bag bottom) and 1 inch from each long edge. Iron the leaves to the bag front.

5. Zig-zag stitch around each fused leaf with matching thread.

6. Place the two orange pieces together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the sides and bottom. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance around the fall gift bag on the sides and the bottom.

7. Cut out two 10-by-16 pieces from the satin fabric for the lining.

8. Place the two satin pieces together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the sides and bottom. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance around the bag on the sides and bottom. Leave a 3-inch opening on the bottom edge.

9. Clip the corners of the fall gift bag and the lining. Turn the bag right-side out.

10. Insert the bag inside the lining with the right sides facing each other. Match the top edges and the side seams and pin. Sew around the top edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

11. Turn the fall gift bag right-side out through the opening in the lining. Sew the opening closed.

12. Iron the top edge and the bag flat. Top stitch around the top of the bag.

13. Pin the middle of the ribbon to the middle of the bag, 1 inch from the top edge. Sew across the middle of the ribbon to hold.

14. Place your baked bread in a resealable plastic bag and insert it into the fall gift bag. Bring the ribbon ends to the front. Gather the top of the bag and tie the ribbon into a bow.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for other applique shapes to represent the season, such as pumpkins, turkeys or a pilgrim hat.