Sew an Easy Wine Gift Bag for Christmas

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This easy gift bag is fun to make and can be adapted to any season by just changing the fabrics. The bags are durable enough to use over and over, unlike wrapping paper that just goes in the trash after one use.

Supply List for Wine Bottle Gift Bags

You can use lots of different fabrics to make these bags: quilting fabric, fleece, organza, velveteens, even wool or silk. The fabric just has to be strong enough to carry the weight of a wine bottle. Woven fabrics are easier to work with than knits.

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

  • 1/4 yard of fabric for the outside of the wine bag. It’s best to use a non-directional fabric that can be cut horizontally or vertically.
  • 1/4 yard of coordinating fabric for the bag lining.
  • All-purpose thread in a matching color.
  • 52″ of decorative cording, wide grosgrain ribbon, or laundry cord. If you use ribbon, choose a sturdy one. Thin ribbons can easily get tangled when tied into a bow.
  • Sewing machine.
  • Rotary cutter.
  • See-through cutting ruler, ideally 6″ x 24″.
  • Scissors.
  • Seam ripper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Use the rotary cutter and ruler to cut an 8” x 38” (21cm x 97cm) rectangle of the focus fabric and a same-sized rectangle of the lining fabric. 
  2. Fold the two rectangles in half with right sides together and the fold at the bottom. They should look like this:
  3. Sew the side seams on each rectangle, using a ¼” seam allowance. This will make two fabric pockets.
  4. Turn the lining fabric right side out. Leave the outer fabric pocket with the inside out.
  5. Stuff the lining pocket inside the outer pocket. Match the side seams and bottom corners. Both pockets should have their right sides together. Pin around the top edges if desired.
  6. Sew around the top edge of the bag with a ¼” seam allowance. Leave a gap of about 3″. You will use this to turn the fabrics right side out.
  7. Turn both the focus fabric pocket and lining fabric pocket right side out through the unsewn opening. This is the only tricky bit in making the bag. I find it’s easiest to pull one fabric through the opening first, then the second fabric. 
  8. You should have both bags attached together at the middle, like this:
  9. Push the lining fabric down inside the outer fabric. Now the lining should be inside the outer bag with right side of the lining facing in and the right side of the outer bag facing out.
  10. Press the bag. Pay special attention to turning under and pressing the seam allowance in the unsewn area.
  11. Topstitch around the top seam of the bag, using a 1/8” seam allowance. Make sure the opening where you turned the bags is stitched closed.
  12. Next you’ll make a drawstring casing. Stitch around the bag 2” from the top.
  13. Stitch a second seam around the bag 1 inch below the first seam.
  14. Use a seam ripper to pick out the side seam stitches between the two casing seams. Don’t remove the stitches from the inner bag.
  15. Cut two 26” pieces of cord or ribbon.
  16. Tie a knot in one end of the first piece of cord. Attach a safety pin to the knot and close the pin. Insert the pin into the opening at the side seam. Work the pin through the casing with your fingers, pulling the cord behind it, until the pin and cord come out the same opening where you started. Knot the ends of the cord or ribbon together.
  17. Insert the second cord or ribbon at the opening on the other side of the bag, work it through, and knot its two ends together.
  18. To close the finished bag, hold the two cords at their knotted ends and pull them apart. The bag will close automatically.

You have now created a wine gift bag that can make even a lowly potluck seem like a special occasion. Even better, the bag can reused again and again.

 

 

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