Halloween Fun

Halloween Fun




By December 15th I will have 14 grandkids. And nothing is more fun than Grandkids and Halloween! So I have designed this quick and easy little trick or treat bag for my kiddos! Directions to make them follow:

2 fat quarters (18 inches by 22 inches of fabric)- of coordinating fabric: one for the bag and for

the lining and handles

Fusible batting (whole pieces or scraps) I LOVE Hobbs Heirloom Fusible batting (available at

Connecting threads.com)

Directions:

Iron fat quarters

Cutting: Note: Be sure to start with a straight edge before you cut. Make sure and square up the edges with the selvedge before you begin.

From Bag and Lining fabric:

1. Along the width of fabric Cut a 9 1/2 inch by 22 inch piece - it will use the entire width

2. From the remaining LINING fabric cut 2 4inch by 22 inch pieces for the handles – this should use up the rest of the lining fat quarter

From Batting

1.Cut 2 9 1/2 inch by 22 inch pieces to line the bag and lining.

2. Cut 2 4 inch by 22 inch pieces to line the handles
Sewing:  USE A 1/4 INCH SEAM THROUGHOUT

1. Bond the fusible batting to the WRONG side of the bag and lining, and handle pieces.

2. Handles: Fold each long edge to the middle, pressing as you go. Then fold again half. Stitch close to the edge on each side.

3. Mark the center of each bag and lining piece.

4. Measure and mark the spot 2 inches from the center mark and 2 ¼ inches from the side of each bag piece.

5. Pin the outside edge of each handle to these marks, and making sure the handles don’t twist on you. Baste the handles in place

6. With Right sides together, sew the bottom and side seam of the bag and of the lining. BE SURE TO LEAVE a 4 to 5 inch opening in the bottom of the lining to later turn your bag.

Boxing:

To make a squared bottom I like to “box” the bags.

1. At the corner edges, holding the bottom of the bag, squish the corners so that the seam follows the bottom of the bag and forms a triangle at the top

2. Measure 1 ½ from the top of the triangle, down the seam and mark. Draw a horizontal line across this mark – so it forms the bottom of the triangle.

3. Sew along the drawn line. Trim ¼ away from the sewn line (you will be trimming off your ‘triangle’)

4. Repeat for all BOTTOM corners of the bag and lining (4 total). It may help to mark the side of the un-seamed sides.

Finishing

1. Turn the bag section right side out.

2. Place the bag section inside the lining section so that their right sides are together.

3. Line up the side seams and middle marks and pin the tops together, making sure that the handles are well tucked down – helps to pin them in place.

4. Sew along the top edge – I also like to backstitch again over the handles for extra strength.

5. To turn the bag, pull the entire bag through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Check stitching – especially around the handles.

6. Iron the top edge seam well, pulling the handles out and flat.

7. Topstitch ¼ inch from the top edge.

8. Pull Lining out – iron the opening at the bottom, turning under the exposed edges. Pin and then edge stitch the opening together.

Finished!!!