simply-crafting: 2017

Lined Christmas Stocking Mini Gift Bags

I started by finding and printing a Christmas Stocking outline. I set my printer to A5 to make the pattern a little smaller than the original. I cut out my paper pattern and stuck the two parts together with sticky tape.

Here it is pinned onto my fabric and again onto my lining fabric. I cut two pieces from each fabric.

Both parts were pinned right sides together.

And sewn together, leaving the tops of both open.

I then turned the lining the right side out.

And pushed it inside the fabric. I pinned the top, matching the side seams and making sure that the bulk of the lining was well out of the way.

And stitched, leaving a gap for turning.

Here the hot mess it looks during turning.

But it turns out OK.

After a good press.

The top is top stitched to seal up that gap and make it neat. You could hand sew the gap closed but machine top stitching is much quicker.

And here's my finished gift bags with a little bow stitched onto the front.

I made some cookies to fill them with as little gifts for neighbours, teachers etc.

Mulled Wine Kits

Mulled wine kits make great little Christmas gifts. They cost a little more than the bottle of wine but they're just a bit more special than which even wine was on offer that day.

Here's what I used:

Butter Muslin
Rotary Mat
Rotary Cutter
Ruler
Sewing Machine
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cloves
Cinnamon Sticks
An Orange
Bottle of Red Wine (or Cider)

I started by cutting the muslin into 3 x 12 inch strips. Each one is folded in half twice so there will be two layers of muslin on each side.

Each little square is sewn along three sides.

And now for the spices. One tea spoon each of Ginger, Cloves and Nutmeg into the little bag.

I used a clip-it to hold the bags closed while I went back to my sewing machine.

And sewed the final side shut to contain all those spices.

My bags looked a little scruffy so I trimmed all the edges with my pinking scissors.

I used publisher to print out some little gift tags (I was short on time) with the following written on them - "Put the muslin bag into a pan with the wine, sliced orange, cinnamon stick and simmer for 5 mins.". I used a scrap of Christmas Ribbon to tie a tag and cinnamon stick to the neck of each wine bottle and popped it into a bottle bag along with the orange.