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Making a Happy Halloween treat bag

Making a Happy Halloween treat bag

by Jean Boyd

Yesterday I showed you how to make a Halloween Pillowcase. Now it’s time to make some Halloween treat bags! These little treat bags are quick and easy to sew, and you can make them in any size you like. You can also add pockets either on the inside or the outside of the bag if you wish. These pockets are perfect for storing a Trick or Treater’s flashlight.

Here’s what you’ll need for a Halloween treat bag that is about 10″ x 10″ when finished and has a little pocket on the inside. All the fabrics are fromNorthcott’s Happy Halloween collection.

2 – 12″ squares for the front and back. I used the wide stripe fabric (21188-84).

1 – 5″ x 14″ piece for the inside pocket. I used the black star fabric (21194-99).

2½ yd grosgrain ribbon ⅝” wide (or something similar) for the handles

To make the pocket, fold the 5″ x 14″ black rectangle in half, right sides together to make a 5″ x 7″ rectangle.

Sew down the 2 long sides with a ¼” seam.

Turn right side out and press.

Center the raw edge of the pocket on the wrong side of a 12″ square, 1½” up from the bottom. Stitch across the raw edge with a ¼” seam.

Sew the raw edge of the pocket 1½" up from the bottom.

Sew the raw edge of the pocket 1½” up from the bottom.

Flip the pocket up on the 12″ square. Press. Machine stitch the long edges of the pocket in place. The stitching lines that show on the right side of the bag will be covered with the handles.

Stitch the sides of the pocket.

Stitch the sides of the pocket.

Fold under ¼” on the top of each 12″ square. Press. Fold over again so you have a double-fold ¼” hem. Stitch in place.

Double-fold hem at top of bag

Double-fold hem at top of bag

Handles: Cut the grosgrain ribbon in half to make 2 handles. Place 1 handle on the right side of the square that has the pocket attached on the back. Center the handle over the pocket stitching lines and pin in place. You can “try on” the bag for size now and adjust the length of the handles if necessary.

Stitch along both edges of the handle. I like to use a walking or even-feed foot when sewing this part of the bag.

Handles are sewn on the front of the bag.

Handles are sewn on the front of the bag.

Close-up to show stitching on handles

Close-up to show stitching on handles

Here’s how the bag will look on the inside.

Inside of bag front showing pocket and stitching lines for handles

Inside of bag front showing pocket and stitching lines for handles

Stitch the other handle on the remaining 12″ square, making sure it’s the same length as the first one, and is placed the same distance from each side of the square.

Sew the bag front and back, wrong sides together, using a scant ¼” seam. Don’t stitch across the top. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the seams.

Stitch along sides and bottom, wrong sides together.

Stitch along sides and bottom, wrong sides together.

Turn the bag wrong side out and press along the seam lines.

Using a generous ¼” seam, stitch along the sides and bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure seams. All raw edges will now be enclosed.

Turn right side out and press.

Now you have a fun bag for your favorite trick or treater!

Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you how to make a larger treat bag using some different Happy Halloween fabric from Northcott.

With right sides together, stitch along sides and bottom to enclose the raw edges.

With right sides together, stitch along sides and bottom to enclose the raw edges.

Finished treat bag made with Northcott's Happy Halloween fabric

Finished treat bag made with Northcott’s Happy Halloween fabric

This is part 4 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 3:  Making a Happy Halloween pillowcase

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4 comments

Janet T September 9, 2016 - 1:43 pm

Those are cute! I made trick or treat bags last year for the kids. Maybe it is time to update. They have grown in taste as well as age.

Reply
Jean Boyd September 9, 2016 - 7:46 pm

Thanks Janet. Glad you like the trick or treat bags!

Reply
Jo-Anne Cooper September 8, 2016 - 4:54 pm

Cute.

Reply
Jean Boyd September 8, 2016 - 5:29 pm

Thanks Jo-Anne.

Reply

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