Quilted and Pieced Christmas Gift Bags

For many years, our Christmas tradition was for the entire family to come to Grandma Walsh’s home on Christmas Eve after church for oyster stew and gift exchange. In the last few years the family has spread over the nation and the big get-together is no longer possible. Also a few adults have begun to rebel over the oyster stew! This year Grandma and Grandpa are going to Baltimore for Christmas so the Nebraska contingent is having Christmas supper early in the month at Applebee’s and going on to Grandaughter and her husband’s home for gift exchange.Another change, actually begun last year, is that G & G Walsh are giving gift certificates instead of a gift. Handing out an envelope is not as interesting as receiving a gayly wrapped package so last year, I, Grandma, made up tins of homemade cookies to go along with the envelope. The ones living away did not get the cookies, sorry about that.

This year I wanted something different than the cookie tins, and I came across this pieced bag idea. I’d like to share this with all of you since most of you have quite a stash of Christmas fabric. (If not, this is the time of year to take advantage of 50% off sales and begin your collection.) Can’t tell you what will be IN the bags but here are the directions. The bags are simple to make and if you need several you can stitch them assembly line style.

Rotary cut strips 4 inches wide from several different fabrics. Then cross cut into 4 inch squares.

Sewing squares 3 x 4 results in a bag about 11 x 15 inches. Judging from what the contents will be, the size can be varied. Set 2 squares by 2 squares makes quite a small one. I made several sizes.

To make a bag 3 x 3 begin by stitching 6 pairs of 4 inch squares together, flash feeding the pairs through the machine. Then add a third square to each pair, again flash feed. You will now have 6 sets of 3 squares. Stitch three sets together for one side of the bag, then the other three. Press the seams as you go so that the corners will fit together.

At this point you could layer each side with batting as described in my article on tote bags and quilt the seams. A simple lining could be added following instructions in that article.