Variations of a treat bag using Northcott’s Happy Halloween fabric

Yesterday I showed you how to make a small treat bag. Here are the instructions to make a larger bag with pockets on the outside of the bag.

Here’s what you’ll need. Again the fabric is from the Northcott Happy Halloween collection.

2 – 14″ squares. I used the all-over monster print (21189-74).

2 – 5½” x 12½” pieces for the outside pockets. I used the wide stripe print (21188-84).

3 yd grosgrain ribbon 1″ wide (or something similar) for the handles

To make the pockets, fold the 5½” x 12½” rectangles in half, wrong sides together to make
2 – 5½” x 6¼” rectangles. Press.

Center the 5½” raw edge of one pocket on the right side of a 14″ square, 2″ up from the bottom. Stitch across the raw edge with a ¼” seam.

Flip the pocket up on the 14″ square. Press. Baste the long raw edges of the pocket in place. Sew the other pocket on the remaining 14″ square.

Fold under ¼” on the top of each 14″ square. Press. Fold over again so you have a double-fold ¼” hem. Stitch in place.

Handles: Cut the grosgrain ribbon in half to make 2 handles. Center one handle over the raw edges of the pocket 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.

Stitch the other pocket and handle on the remaining 14″ square, making sure they are placed the same as on the first 14″ 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.

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 another fun bag for your favorite trick or treater!

You can see how easy it is to make these treat bags, and it’s easy to personalize them as you wish – with or without pockets, pockets inside and out and fun trims for the handles. The Northcott Happy Halloween fabric is perfect for this project!