Hopefully you’ve had a chance to make the Magic Market Bag. It’s the easiest reusable shopping bag the you can make. Even if you’ve never tried the market bag, you will love this Magic Gift Bag!
It’s magic because of how quickly it goes together. You can make one in under twenty minutes, so in an evening you can make enough for all your Christmas giving.
The size given is for a medium-sized gift bag, but if you want to make a custom-sized bag, check out THIS POST for instructions on how to do the calculations. It’s easy math, I promise.
You will need:
- 13″ x 35-1/2″ piece of fabric (Whatever you have on hand – cotton, twill, poly cotton – will work. This is a great time to use that bargain fabric.)
- 1 yd of ribbon (Again, check your stash! Any old pieces of trim will work. You could even use lace or cord instead of ribbon.)
- 4 small grommets (Look for packages in your local craft store. Most come with a tool. You will need it.)
1. Finish the edges of the fabric
Zig zag stitch or serge around all the edges of the fabric. Doing this first saves time later.
Fold in half wrong sides together. It should sort of look like a bag already.
2. Make the magic fold
Fold the top fabric down 2-1/4″ from the bottom fold. If you have a quilting ruler, this is easy. Place the ruler along the fold, then turn the fabric down over the edge of the ruler. If you don’t have a quilting ruler, just mark a 2-1/4″ line on a piece of paper and use that to measure it.
Flip the whole piece over and repeat the fold on the other side. It should look kind of line an “M” when you’re done.
3. Sew the seams
Pin the sides together.
Sew each side with a 1/2″ seam.
4. Finishing
Press the side seams open at the top. Fold the top down 1″. Stitch down the fold to hem it. Turn the bag right side out.
The bag should be 12″ across at the top. Mark the top edge of the bag at 4″ and 8″ from the edge.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, place grommets at each of the marks on both sides of the bag.
Instructions may vary slightly, but it will probably involve cutting a small hole, inserting one piece, adding the piece to the other side and hammering them together. Don’t be intimidated!
Cut a piece of ribbon (or substitute) for the handle. Longer pieces make a longer handle, but you probably won’t want to cut shorter than 12″. Thread through the eyelets and knot the ends to keep in place.
If the knots keep pulling through because the ribbon is too narrow just tie the two ends together to make a loop.
You’re done!
If you want to have a firm bottom so the bag stands on it’s own, cut a piece of cardboard 8″ x 4″ and place in the bag. This is helpful if you’re giving something soft or fragile.
Enjoy!
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Elizabeth DeCroos
designer, teacher, speaker
Elizabeth enjoys doing all types of sewing and needlework and teaching others new techniques. Find out how to take a course or workshop.