Trick Or Treat Loot Bag

Materials needed:

• Fabric

• Bag Size	Fabric Amount (45" wide)	Cut size (Body)	Cut size (handle)
  Loot Bag	1/2 yard	36" by 16"	(2) 12" by 4"
  Lunch Bag	1/3 yard	24" by 12"	(2) 10" by 4"
  Grocery Bag	3/4 yard	45" by 22"	(2)12" by 4"

• A piece of cardboard or Plastic Canvas
• • For Loot Bag - 8" by 4"
  • For Lunch Bag - 4" by 4"
  • For Grocery Bag - 14" by 4"
• Thread
• Optional : Webbing Straps - directions are provided for self fabric handles

(NOTE: All seams refer to a 1/2" seam allowance)

BODY OF BAG:

Cut out your fabric. Fold the body of the bag in half, lengthwise. Mark the fold. Make another mark 2" on both sides of the fold line. (These are the marks you will use later to create a rectangle bottom to your bag.)

Fold the body in half, right sides together, and sew both side edges together. Finish your seams.

At folded corner, fold fabric to match seam with center bottom fold (right sides together) and form a triangle. Stitch a line across the 2" mark from edge to edge. Trim off excess fabric, to leave a 1/2" seam allowance and finish seam.

Clean Finish (definition) the top of the bag. Fold top over 1" (wrong sides together) matching seams. Top stitch hem in place. Press.

Along the top edge of the bag, fold bag by matching the seams, make a mark 2" on each side of both folds. This is where you will be attaching your handles. (The mark will match up with the center of each handle.)

HANDLES:

Purchased Webbing: If you purchased webbing be sure to melt the ends of each cut piece, by singeing the ends near a flame.

Self Fabric Handles: Press each strip in half lengthwise. Fold both raw edges in to the fold line and press enclosing both edges. Adjust if necessary to have your folded edges match each other perfectly. Make two rows of top stitching (definition) on both long edges of each strap. Serge or Zig zag the ends of each strap.

Attaching the handles: Place the ends of the straps on the inside of the bag, matching the center of end of each strap with the marks on the body of the bag. Stitch a square with an X from corner to corner for strength.

FINISHING: Turn bag right sides out and press. Fold like you would a paper bag and press. Now the fun part starts. Desktop Publishing About Co. Guide, Jacci Howard Bear , has done a feature about Iron On Transfers . She's even made a page of FREE graphics. Now you'll be able to use any graphic you like and put it not just on your bag, but a tee shirt or anywhere an iron can go. All you'll need is the net and your printer.

Place the cardboard or plastic canvas inside the bottom of the bag. Trim if necessary.

Tips Making Your Reusable Bags

What a terrific gift wrap a bag makes. You double your gift by giving it in a reusable bag. You may even be able to help the recipient save money. The grocery stores, in my area, give you two cents credit on your bill for every bag you bring from home and use.

Thanks to Jacci's hard work, we can decorate the bag with any graphic we would like for any theme. You can always decorate your bag with any appliqué also.

I recommend denim or a heavy fabric for a grocery size bag. It will last longer.

Watch the clearance isles of your fabric store. Stock up on holiday prints when they go on clearance.. there's always next year... besides, aren't we using our stash! :)

Embroider the recipients name on the bag for a personal touch.

Using plastic canvas for the inside bottom of the bag, increases the wash ability.

Cut two layers for a lunch bag making one out of an insulating fabric. Sew with both layers together, treating them as one layer. You may want to try this on a grocery sized bag also, for your frozen foods.

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