Making your own Reusable Fabric Wrapping Christmas Bags

For example, if I wanted to wrap this C3PO I would first measure the two sides. I would add the two measurements up. So for this example it is 5.5 + 4.5 = 10. Then if you take that number and multiply by 2 you will know the amount of fabric you need to go around your entire box.

Translating these measurements to the pattern. I commonly will add twice the height of the current present because a larger bag is easier to reuse next year. It is very easy to fold down the extra fabric inside before folding and pinning the present wrapping closed.

For my box, I decided to add three-quarters of an inch to both side measurements totaling 1.5 inches to my total equaling 11.5. This will make it easier and include my seam allowance. Now that I know my pattern I draw it out onto the fabric.

If you plan to cut this pattern out on the fold make sure that you take your seam allowance off of one side. This will ensure that your two square cutouts will be the same lengths when you sew.

Start with sewing your sides and bottom

Next, you are going to sew the two squares on either side. To do this you will want to match up the side seam and the bottom sea,. This will create a straight line for you to sew. Repeat on the other side.

The final product makes the bottom look like an H in serging. Next, you will want to serge around the top edge.

To finish the top edge I like to do a turn-turn hem using the serging as my guide. This is not necessary if you have serged the edge. Sometimes I use the serging as a decretive edging by using a contrasting color and shortening the stitch length so that it is a more solid line.

Now it is time to turn your bag right side out and wrap the present.

Over the years I have slowly built up a variety of shapes and sizes of Reusable Fabric Wrapping Bags. I find that there are bag sizes that are used more often than others. I always make sure to make a wine bottle cover every year because I almost always give one away. We also commonly used the DVD size case. Someone almost always receives a new DVD, TV Series, or game.

There are many ways that you can close up these bags. One way and my favorite are with a safety pin and some ribbon.

This year I also found an LED cord with fiber optics creating color throughout the cord. I thought it would be fun to attach to a ribbon and make a light-up bow!

I started by cutting a small slit into the center of the ribbon about 12 inches from the end. Then I took a lighter and singed the edges to keep the hold from fraying more.

Next, I zig-zag stitching over the cord with invisible thread.

Now it is time to make the bow!!!