Burlap Gift Bags
Recently I saw a cute idea on pinterest for wrapping gifts with burlap. The idea came from the craftsalamode blog. I remembered I had some leftover burlap from a project I made several years ago. I pulled the burlap out of my fabric closet but decided I didn’t really have enough to actually wrap many gifts. So, I put my scissors and sewing machines to work and came up with these simple and very easy to make gift bags.
If you have a serger or sewing machine and know how to make a simple crochet chain you can make these bags in less than an hour – both of them.
Supplies needed:
- 1/2 yd burlap
- fabric scissors
- yarn – just a bit of scrap yarn or ribbon
- serger set up for 3 thread overlock
- sewing machine set up for straight stitch
Directions:
- Cut your burlap desired size of bag you want to make. I cut mine 12 in. by 12 in. or 12 in. by 10 in.
- Use your serger to serge up sides and bottom of bag OR you can use your regular sewing machine if you don’t have a serger but you will want to go back and zigzag the edges
- Sew the lower bottom corners to “box” the bag, if desired – approx. 1 in. on each corner
- chain 65 to 75 chains with a size K, L or N crochet hook – or whatever size fits the yarn you are using – with your scrap yarn
- Fold crochet chain length in half and sew at that halfway point to one side of bag, approx. 1 1/2 to 2 in. from the top edge Note: you could also use ribbon in place of the yarn if you wanted to
I took a white elephant gift to a party recently in one of these little bags and was surprised when it was the first gift picked. Everyone thought the bag was a cute idea and were amazed I had just made it that afternoon. They are really simple to make.
I also thought they looked cute with the other bags I made in the past couple of years out of Christmas fabric. These bags were created totally on the serger. The pattern came from a great book I have called Ready Set Serge by Georgie Melot. This book has lots of fun serger projects in it. 
I like the idea of the burlap gift bags since they are rather simple but can be used for any type of holiday or gift. You can always put a different color of yarn or ribbon to coordinate with the occasion. I know they also have colored burlap and I think I will get some of that in the future to make some in various colors.
Well, all of my gifts are wrapped now and ready for Christmas day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday – Merry Christmas!
