Are you getting excited for Halloween?! I know we are and I’m also excited to share this handmade project by ambassador Maryam Salassi of Hi Plus Hello Photography with you all today.
She says, “Every year I sew a little bag for my daughter to take trick or treating. I love doing this because I can customize the size based on her size (it was quite small when she was a toddler and it gets bigger each year) and how much candy she can carry. It’s also a great way to regulate how many houses you get to and how long you spend trick or treating! The fabric straps are comfy to hold and we always get stopped by other trick-or-treaters to compliment our cute treat bag.”
MATERIALS
* 1/2 a yard of fabric
* fabric scissors
* sewing machine
* thread to match your fabric
First cut out your pieces. For the body of the bag I used two pieces about 18 inches square, the handles were about 12 inches by 4 inches each, and I made a little pocket out of the leftover scraps, about 6 inches by 6 inches.
Next, fold over the top edge of your body pieces about a 1/4 inch and sew. Then fold over again and sew that down. Do this for both pieces.
Since I make a new bag each year I don’t worry too much about lining the bag, but I do like a nice clean seam so I used a French seam. To do this, start with the the wrong sides of the body pieces together (so right sides out). Sew about 1/8 inch from the edges all the way around but not across the top. Trim any excess fabric, then turn the bag inside out (make sure you poke out the corners for a squared-off look). Sew about 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around so the cut edge pieces become encased in between the folded bits. Turn the bag right side out again and you’re done with the body!
Next up, Sew the straps. Fold each piece lengthwise (hot dog fold!), then sew along the edge (but not the top and bottom). Once you’ve got that done, carefully turn the straps inside out. Sew along all the edges, carefully folding the top and bottom edges and sewing them down.
Now we’re going to prep the pocket. Put your two little squares right sides together and sew all the way around making sure to leave about a 2 inch gap in the middle of one side. Carefully turn it inside out and poke out the corners (a chopstick is a great tool for this but a pencil works too). Sew all the way around paying extra attention to making sure the opening is being sewed shut as you do this. I like to start right at the opening to make sure I have it closed up first.
Once you have all your pieces ready you can assemble your bag! I found it easiest to add the pocket first. Place it where you’d like then sew around the sides and bottom (but leave the top open!). Next, add the straps but placing the first end where you want it (I lined mine up with the pocket), then carefully sew a rectangle by sewing along the side and bottom seams then across the top. Place the other end of the strap and do the same, then flip the bag over and repeat with the other strap.
It’s a pretty simple project and took me maybe 45 minutes from start to finish. You can play with strap length and bag size (though if you make a large bag I suggest lining it for extra strength!), or even add more pockts or make it a U-shaped bag instead of a square!
I hope you love this tutorial, and if you make this bag be sure and tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see your finished product!
Maryam Salassi of Hi + Hello Photography is an in-home family lifestyle photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is super chill and tends to choose sneakers over heels. When she’s not photographing fun families, she loves experimenting with film cameras, spending time with her own awesome family, hiking, reading, or just generally being supercool.
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