It has been requested that I show how to do a gift bag with a casing. This is just one of a bazillion ways to make gift bags, so take what you need, and happy sewing!


1. Cut out two identical rectangles, or one very long one that will fold on the bottom. The pictures I have are for two pieces, please adjust them for the long piece if you need.

2. Serge the top edge on both rectangles. Serge the right side of one rectangle and the left side of the other. This is so when you put right sides together, the serged edges line up.

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3. Put right sides together and serge the side seam with the raw edges and the bottom. This will leave you with a bag with only two sides serged together.

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4. Fold down the top edge, wrong sides together, so that you make the top casing. I iron mine down so I don't have to pin. You can fold down anywhere from .75" to 1.5". Make the casing wider for wider tie ribbons and narrower for smaller tie ribbons. Go with the flow, just make sure there is enough room for your ribbons to move through smoothly.

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5. Now, seam the side edge from the bottom of the bag to the edge of the bag casing. Do not sew into the casing. This will shut your tube and you won't be able to insert a ribbon. Make sure you give yourself a 5/8 seam allowance, you need it on this seam.

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6. Your bag is still inside out. Lift up your casing at the open side. Fold in side seam allowance toward the bag in a straight line. Press with iron. Repeat on the other side and press.

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7. Fold the casing back down with the side still pressed in. Pin on both sides to keep in place.

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8. Seam casing on the inside along the serged line. Flip your bag right side out and press edges.

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9. Cut a ribbon about 4" longer than the length of the entire casing. Insert with safety pin.

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10. Once your ribbon is threaded in, make it even and seam along the ditch at the center of the casing. This will keep the ribbon from pulling out.

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11. Snip your ribbon ends so they look nice. DONE! Pat your self on the back and get ready to make 20 more!

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Happy Sewing Mamas!!!!! Hope this helps a bit.

OHHhh Marcey :)
Thanks for doing this! I really wanted in the bag swap but was afraid Ive got too much going right now... Ill be prepared for the next one~

Awesome! Thanks for posting the great pics! :thumbsup:

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I now have 4 gift bags done that I can actually send out without embarrassment, lol.

Thanks Marcey..

I will link this thread to the swap thread..


PS I love that bag :heart:

Thanks Marcey :)