Santa Bag Tutorial

UPDATE: I am so sorry about the lack of pictures in this post.  I have lost them due to a photo storage issue and I am working on re-shooting this tutorial in the future.  Thank you for your understanding.

On Friday I shared about what’s going to be under our Christmas tree this year and today I’m going to show you something else that will be under the tree too.

Growing up my siblings and I had Santa Bags from Thalhimers department store.  They had Snow Bear on them.  Each year my parents would put most of our presents in them and they’d be there under the tree each Christmas morning.  My mom still has them and uses them to this day.

In keeping with that tradition I decided to make some Santa Bags for my sons and I’m sharing the tutorial for this easy project with you today.  These bags measure about 21.5 inches wide X 36 inches tall finished.

You will need:

• 1 yard of fabric for the outside of the bag
• 1 1/4 yard of fabric for the inside of the bag and the tie to close the bag
• thread

Step 1: Prewash your fabric. Cut your fabric for the outside of the bag (44 X 36 inches), the lining of the bag (44 X 36 inches), and the tie (44 X 4 inches).

I chose fabrics with a winter scene with bunnies and mice.  I found them at Zinks.  Each one is a little different so the boys each have their own but they are from the same fabric collection so they still coordinate.

Step 2: Fold the sash fabric in half with the right sides facing each other and pin.  Sew along the edge leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 3: Turn the sash right side out.  Give it a quick press.  Tuck in the fabric on the ends and sew leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. 

Turning the sash is kind of hard and takes a little time so if you want to speed things up you could buy some ribbon to use as a sash to tie the sack.  I’d say get ribbon that’s 2 inches wide or so.

Step 4:Then take your fabrics for the inside and lining and fold each fabric with the right sides facing each other.  Pin the sash about 8 inches from the the top of the open side of the bag. 

Then pin along the open side and bottom for both the lining and the outside fabrics.

Step 5: Sew along the sides that you have pinned leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 6: Turn the outside of the bag right side out.

Step 7: Keep the lining wrong side out.  Put the outside of the bag into the lining. Pin the tops of the bags together.

Step 8: Sew around the top edge but leave a portion of the top unsewn- about 4 inches.

Step 9: Turn the bag right side out, stuff the lining in, and pin around the top edge, being sure to pin the opening shut.  Top stitch around the edge of the bag and your Santa Bag is done!

Step 10: Fill with presents!

Now that I’m in the Christmas mood I need to start getting the decorations out.  But first I need to get my Thanksgiving Dishes ready.