If you want to make a small gift even more special, this pojagi bag will do it. It is about 5″ wide and 4″ deep, so it’s the perfect size for gift cards or jewelry.
For this project, you will need handkerchief linen, size 8 Perle cotton, matching quilting cotton, and narrow ribbon. You will also need to make a special template for this bag. Fold a piece of paper in half, and mark 3″ from the fold and 5″ long. Cut so that it curves from the bottom point up to the top edge.
When you open, it will give you the shape of the bag. You might need to trim the bottom, so that it is a gentle curve and not a point. Trace this onto cardboard. You will use this template later.
Mark a piece 3″ x 6″ and cut leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance from the main fabric colour. Mark four pieces 1-1/2″ x 3″ in the accent colour. (These don’t all have to be the same colour.)
Join these using the lined pojagi seam.
Attach a piece of the main colour 6″ square. This will be the outside of the bag.
Cut a piece of quilting cotton 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″” to be the lining. Fold in half and press the middle, leaving a strong crease.
With the pieces right sides together, join the lining and the outside of the bag. You could sew with a running stitch or use a sewing machine for this.
Line up the centres (the bag seam and the middle of the lining). Press the ends of the bag where the outside overlaps to the lining.
The next step is a bit tricky to explain with still pictures, so I tried a video.
Trace the bag template onto the lining side.
Cut out leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Unfold the two pieces, and then on the side that is the outer bag, sew about short seam (2-1/2″) along one side.
Refold the bag. Mark on the line where the short seam is on the bag section.
Sew through ALL FOUR LAYERS at once along the sewing line, but skip the part that is marked. This section is only sewn on the outer bag part, not the lining.
At the section that was left on the lining, open the hole and turn it right side out.
Press the edges, then hand stitch the opening closed.
Turn the lining to the inside, and here is the bag.
Along the top edge, mark every 1/2″ with a small dot of wash-away marker or chalk.
Gather with an accordion fold, and place a basting stitch to hold.
Repeat with the other side.
Holding everything firmly, poke with an awl (or darning needle or knitting needle) through all the layers.
Feed a 20″ piece of ribbon through the hole.
Repeat on the other side.
Tie the ends of the ribbon together. It should be looped through the top of the bag. Feed in another piece of ribbon so that the tie is on the other side.
The ribbon is the draw string closure for the bag.
It’s done! Find something pretty to put inside it.
Here are some more great Christmas projects.
Elizabeth DeCroos
designer, teacher, speaker
Elizabeth enjoys doing all types of sewing and needlework and teaching others new techniques. For more information or to have her speak to your group click HERE.