Monday, September 19, 2011

Making gift bags

I like to make re-usable bags to wrap childrens birthday presents but I'm not so good at keeping a store of them ready for last minute gifts. I'm also not the worlds fastest sewer so I have been looking for a quick method of making simple gift bags. I think gift bags look much nicer with French seams but I still haven't worked out a quick way of doing this when I make draw string bags (which I usually use for gifts). Recently I tried out a new style of gift bag.
Last Christmas I saw Soul Mamma's design for Christmas bags and went out and bought a whole pile of Christmas fabric in the January sales with the intention of making these simple bags this Christmas. Last week when I was finishing off a birthday crown as part of a little girls birthday present I thought I would try out that bag design and it proved to be very quick and simple.

To make this simple gift bag;
1. Press and cut the fabric to the required size adding a couple of inches for seams.
2. Fold fabric in half right sides out and press
3. Sew French seams down the sides of the bag (ie sew a 1/4" seam down either side, fold bag inside out, press and sew a 1/2" seam).
4. Fold top edge over 1/2" and then fold again, press, tuck two lengths of ribbon into this seam (for  securing the bag) then sew seam around top edge of bag.
5. Turn right side out, press, put present in, fold over top edge and secure with ribbon at the front.

Super simple and neat! Now I just have to get cracking on my Christmas bags!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - spring

Enjoying some lovely spring weather!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Spring

The first of September is officially the start of spring down under, so yesterday we freshened up the nature table with some of Juniors' art work, some flowers, birds and butterflies.
 When I told Junior it was the start of spring he asked "if it would be Easter soon?" I think I need to get some books about the seasons in the southern hemisphere! Any good suggestions anyone?
 Rascal (who loves all things avian) was happy to get out his "Five little ducks" cards and sing and play with them - so sweet!
After a sluggish end to Winter, I'm looking forward to some nice spring weather and more flowers in the garden. What are you looking forward to this Spring?

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Tiggr

 Don't you just love having to make costumes for book week?
Nothing like a costume made with stockings, felt and duct tape! 
Thankfully I only had to make one this year - I dread the day all three of my boys are at school and need a costume!