DIY Trick or Treat Bags

Contributing Writer: Laurel MacDougall from Ducks in a Row

Although my kids LOVE carrying the plastic pumpkins to collect candy in every Halloween, this year I thought it was time for an upgrade. I saw this awesome vinyl polka dot at Ikea and knew right away that I was going to make trick or treat bags with them. Funny thing is, I was stopped at least 3 times from people loving the fabric but wondering what I was going to do. When I told them, they told me I was a genius! Who doesn’t love that?

Each bag starts off with a rectangle cut about 18″ wide and 42″ long. After I had sewn this, though, I thought it was too long and cut about 4″ off the top.

I then traced a circle out of white felt – I used a salad plate.

I found a cute font (Addams Capitals – free from here). I printed them out in a large size, traced them onto wonder under. Don’t forget to trace the image backwards! Then this is ironed onto orange felt and cut out.

Iron your letter onto your white circle.

and sew your circle onto your bag.

I played around using decorative stitches and colors. On some of the circles, I did have to make a little pleat. If I was sewing for something fancy, I probably would have unpicked this. These are for kids, to hold candy in – I think they will be fine.

Next, fold your rectangle in half and sew up the long sides. I love using this fabric because it doesn’t unravel and I don’t have to finish the seams.

Pinch the corners – line the seam up with the crease of the bottom of the bag. Draw a line across that is about 4″ across and stitch on that line.

Don’t be scared – trim that seam. Do this to both sides.

Now your bag has a flat bottom that will stand up easier. I folded over 1″ from the top and double stitched it.

Lastly, you have to add handles. My handles are scraps – 2″ wide and 16″ long. I folded it in half (hot dog way – the long way) and ran several rows of stitching down. I like using contrasting thread to make it stand out.