I saw such a lovely idea somewhere out there recently, and as I love good ideas for things to make and sew together easily with my sewing machine, I took myself off to the closest fabric shop to buy suitable fabric to make it…..I made a pattern (using a tote bag pattern I have for inspiration) and then got sewing…..and ….voila, in no more than an hour I had made such a useful, cool gift bag, which I could fill with some of my treats and/or some chocolate and wine etc, making a stunning present with ‘wrapping’ that is so useful anywhere in the home. Edible gifts are always appreciated, and especially when holidays come around or at times like Easter or Christmas, when friends and family are visiting; there’s always a need for something special to bring out with coffee or for dessert!
The bag is a lovely, multi-purpose one, which can be made in various sizes. Use it as a decorative pot plant holder or fill it with potatoes in the pantry, keep toiletries or toilet rolls in one in the bathroom or use one to store all those little odds and ends in to keep your desk neat and tidy. Put a weight (use sand in a bag, for example) inside one and use it as a door stop. Keep a few of your child’s soft toys in a bright, fun fabric one.
It is truly a multi functional bag. It’s reversible, versatile, durable and washable and can be pulled together with the rope to make a sack if necessary! Use the pattern below and follow the instructions – you’ll soon have your own versatile storage bag to keep or give away as a gift.
Instructions to make:
1. You will need 4 identical pieces. Ideally cut out two pieces in one fabric and another two in a nice contrasting fabric.
2. Taking the first two identical fabric pieces, place them wrong sides together, and stitch them together down each side, as shown in the diagram, and then along the small bottom piece. Repeat with the other two fabric pieces.
3. You are left with the top open, and two smaller sides at the bottom to the left and right. Hold the bottom ends of the two seams on one side together, and open out the rest of the fabric to form a small straight join which needs to be sewed together. Repeat on the other side. This will give you an open topped bag with a base.
4. Turn one side right way around now. Place the other one inside this one, so you have right sides showing on the outside and inside now. If not adding in the rope/cord, then do as follows: Fold in a seam of about a centimeter (1/4 inch), and sew just in from the edge all the way around. Turn the top over a few centimeters (about an inch) and there you have a storage bag made by you! Turn it the other way around if you would like to – remember it is reversible.
5. If you would like to add the rope or a cord in, then with both right sided showing on the inside and outside of the bag, sew around the top, about 3cms (just over an inch) in from the edge first. Then do as above and fold in about a centimeter (1/4 inch) and holding the rope/cord in place against the first seem sewn, begin to sew the top one, ensuring all the way not to catch the cord. Leave an opening of about 1 cm (1/4 inch) for the two ends of the cord and tie them together. You have now made a storage bag with a cord.
