Easiest ever fabric gift bag tutorial - an upcycle

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Last week I upcycled an old nightie into a fabric origami gift bag. This used up the majority of the fabric in the nightie, but there was still a little left over - plus a pair of small PJ shorts to be upcycled too. 

So I was looking for something to make with the smaller scraps - and decided to make some little gift bags. Some small ones, some even smaller ones and some teeny weeny ones.  This was also an opportunity to try and use something else I'd saved a pile of with the idea I might upcycle them one day...

Yes, bread tags!

They can't be recycled, so I was looking for something constructive to do with them rather than just throw them away!

A little nail varnish jazzes them up a bit!

You could make these bags any size you want - for giving small gifts like earrings, or treats like sweeties. They would be perfect to use as Birthday Party bags  - made with fabric scraps to just the size you want.

Here's how to make the easiest ever fabric gift bag:

1. Cut a rectangle of fabric.

2. Fold in half - wrong sides together and stitch down the sides. Trim the seams.

3.Turn inside out and stitch down the sides again. This is a French Seam and means your raw edges are now hidden and won't fray or look messy.

4. Turn right sides out and trim the top with Pinking Shears to stop the fabric fraying.

5. Seal your bag using a bread tag!

And there you have one teeny tiny gift bag - perfect for a small gift or treat!

Make lots for all your friends!

Make them different sizes!

And from different fabric!  How about a Halloween treat bag?

So there is a way to use up some fabric scraps and bread tags - things that might otherwise get thrown away, use what you've got!

These bags would be a great way to make a whole batch of bags for a party or treat bags for a special occasion. The supplies you need are easy to come by - and can cost nothing!

For the free downloadable PDF version of this tutorial, click here.

For more ideas for using the supplies you have on hand to craft and create with, check out my 

Use What You've Got page.

Or if it's sewing tutorials you're interested in, I have over 100 Free Sewing Tutorials for making all manner of things and for all levels of sewing ability. Check them out here.