Personalized Appliqué Gift Bags | Full Alphabet Templates | Beginner Sewing Project

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Personalized Appliqué Gift Bags | Full Alphabet Templates | Beginner Sewing Project

Make the wrapping part of the gift with this fun bag, which could be used at Christmas, for a birthday or even a spontaneous gift. Don’t expect to get it back to use again next year, though!

This unusual gift bag features a hexagon-shaped base, making it spacious enough for most gifts. It’s far too useful to put away after the occasion, and makes a handy storage bag all year round.

I’ve personalized mine with one appliquéd initial, but you could add more letters to spell out a name or even decorate it with festive shapes.

I've used Panama ticking for the outer fabric, which is quite firm and helps the bag hold its shape. If you’re using quilting cotton, I’d recommend fusing medium-weight interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric to give your bag a little more structure.

Make it your own!

  1. Add a magnetic snap to the lining to make the bag a little more secure.
  2. Add more letters – you can always print the templates at a smaller size to fit them on!
  3. Swap a letter for something else – a heart, festive symbol or any other motif you like. There are plenty of templates here at the Half Yard Sewing Club you could use.
  4. If you’ve made any practice patchwork blocks, you may be to put one to good use by cutting your appliqué letter(s) from that.

You may also like:

  1. Christmas Poinsettia Gift Bag Pattern (English Paper Piecing)
  2. Patchwork Drawstring Bag
  3. Mini Stockings
  4. Christmas Present Cushion

Note: use a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance.
Finished size: 14½ x 6¾ x 6¾in (37 x 17.25 x 17.25cm).

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You will need:

Equipment

  • Sewing machine with a standard foot and free-motion foot
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Fabric pen to transfer the letter template (not heat-erasable)
  • Optional: rotary cutter and cutting mat

Materials

  • Six 2in (5cm) wide strips of fabric measuring approx. 18in (46cm) in length (these don’t have to be exact, but take note of how wide your letter is as some will require more fabric than others)
  • 35 x 15in (89 x 38cm) of outer fabric – I used a strong Panama fabric
  • 35 x 15in (89 x 38cm) of lining fabric – I used cotton fabric
  • Four 12in (30cm) lengths of ribbon – I used red gingham ribbon, but you could even use four different ribbons 
  • 6 x 6in (15 x 15cm) piece of Bondaweb – more if you wish to add more than one appliqué letter

To cut:

  • The hexagon base from your pattern piece in outer and lining fabric 
  • 24½ x 15in (62.25 x 38cm) rectangle from both outer and lining fabrics

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Project steps:

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Step 1

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Step 2

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