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This tutorial walks you through how to make quick, easy and reversible bags.

Halloween is the perfect time to have some fun and whip up quick and easy trick or treat bags. You can use fun Halloween fabric or make your bag to match a child’s costume. These bags are quick, easy and reversible!

Watch the video tutorial, read the free written directions or get the optional ad-free, printer friendly PDF tutorial in my Etsy Shop.

? SHORTCUTS TO SPECIFIC TOPICS:

MATERIALS

• Exterior Fabric: ½ yard
  • A: (2) 16″ x 16″
• Lining Fabric: ½ yard
  • B: (2) 16″ x 16″
• Handle Fabric: ⅓ yard or fabric scraps
  • C: (2) 5″ x 20″

BASIC SUPPLIES

• Rotary Cutter 
• Rotary Mat 
• Quilting Ruler
• Cute Cuts Quilt Rulers by Lori Holt
• Straight Pins or Fabric Clips
• Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron
• Sewing Machine
• Iron &  Ironing Board

Step 1: Cut the Fabrics

• Place your (2) exterior fabrics RST. If you are using directional fabric, make sure both squares have the top on the same side.
• Mark and cut out a 2″ square in each bottom corner. This will create a 4″ flat, boxed bottom for your bag. If you prefer to make a flat bag, skip this step.
• Pin or clip the sides and bottom edges.
• Repeat the steps with the lining fabrics.

Step 2: Sew the Bag Exterior

If you are going to make your bag reversible, it doesn’t matter which fabric you consider the exterior and which you consider the lining, it is easier to refer to them this way in the directions.

• Sew the sides and bottom of the bag.
• Press seams open.

Make the boxed bottom

• Flatten the corner opening so the cut-out makes a straight line. The side seam should be lined up with the bottom seam. Pin or clip the edges together.
• Sew across the corner.
• Repeat with the other side.

Step 3: Sew the Bag Lining

Repeat the steps used to sew the bag exterior but leave 3 – 4″ open on the bottom edge of the lining for turning.

Step 4: Make the Handles

I like to make generous straps on a trick-or-treat bag so it’s easy for kids to put the bag on their arm, even if they are wearing jackets, as they walk down the street. You can of course make your straps shorter if you’d like. Be sure to have a look at the length and decide before sewing the bag together.

• Fold both C rectangles in half lengthwise, WST, and press.

• Open and fold the long raw edges to the center and press again.

• Open and fold the long raw edges to the center and press again.
• Fold in half and press again to make (2) 1 ½” x 20” strips for the handles.
• Top stitch along both long edges of the strips, ⅛” from the sides.

Step 5: Baste the Handles to the Bag Lining

• Turn the bag lining right side out.
• Measure and make a mark 4″ from each side seam.
• Turn the lining over and make the same marks on the opposite side.
• Matching the raw edges of the bag and the handles, pin a handle on each side, centering the ends over the marks.
• Baste the handles in place by sewing across the ends, ⅛” from the raw edge.

Step 6: Assemble the Trick-or-Treat Bag

• RST, insert the bag lining inside the main body bag, matching the side seams and making sure the handles are hanging down inside the bag and only the basted edge is at the top.
• Pin or clip the raw edges together around the top of the bag.
• Sew all the way around the opening.

• Pull the bag lining out of the main bag and turn the bag right side out through the opening at the bottom of the lining fabric.
• Separate the bag exterior and lining as shown and press the seam that joins them flat to help make a nice crisp edge when topstitching.
• Stitch the lining opening shut by hand or by machine, sewing close to the edge.
• Put the lining back inside the main bag, matching the boxed corners.
• Press around the top of the bag so the seam is on the top edge.
• Topstitch around the top edge of the bag, ⅛” from the edge to finish and give extra strength to the handles.
• Sew the opening in the lining closed by hand so it isn’t visible when you turn the bag with the lining fabric out.

Here are some ideas if you want to make your bag fancier:

• Add fusible fleece if you want your bags to be more structured.
• Quilt or use quilted fabric for a more structured bag and different look.
• Add a border fabric to your bag by adding a few inches of a solid or contrasting fabric and then cutting to 16” x 16” squares.
• Add trim or other embellishments.
• Appliqué names or icons on the bag.
• Hand embroider, machine embroider or use heat transfer vinyl to add names to the outside, inside of the bag or even on the handles.

Get an ad-free, printer friendly version of this tutorial on Etsy

LOVE THIS IDEA?

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If you make this or other projects and post on Instagram, be sure to tag me (@artisttarareed). Follow my YouTube channel for new sewing projects and tips every week.

? Tara Reed

P.S. Is there a sewing tutorial you’d love to see? Leave me a comment and I’ll add it to my idea list!

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