Crafter's Edge Gingerbread Man Round Bag

It's that time of year when most of us are scrambling around looking for a quick and easy idea for a neighbor or friend gift. This year I grabbed my Crafter's Edge Gingerbread Man die and did a little brainstorming. He's such a cutie so it wasn't hard to think of ways to use him. 

Gingerbread Man Round Gift Bag

How to make this bag...

SUPPLIES:

Batting or fleece

Iron-on applique adhesive

Thread

Two buttons

Pins or spray basting (for quilting)

Crafter's Edge Machine 

Crafter's Edge Dies: Gingerbread Man, 7" Square, 2 1/2" Strip Cutter

FABRIC NEEDED:

1/3 yard each of two fabrics

Fat quarters/fabric scraps in brown, red, white

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut 4 - Gingerbread Man (CE Gingerbread Man Die - applique)

Cut 4 - 7" x 7" squares (CE Square dies - fabric - outside bag)

Cut 1 - 7" x 26 1/2" strip (fabric - lining)

Cut 2 - 9 1/2" circles (fabric - bag bottom) *A small 9 1/2" dinner plate works as a template

Cut 2 - 2 1/2" x 18" strips (CE 2 1/2" Strips - fabric - straps)

Cut 1 - 7" x 26 1/2" strip (batting/fleece) *Cut 8" x 28" if desired for quilting

Cut 1 - 9 1/2" circle (batting/fleece)

SEWING/APPLIQUE INSTRUCTIONS: All seams are sewn 1/4” unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Applique – Iron adhesive to wrong side of fabrics; let cool. My go-to iron on adhesive is HeatnBond Lite...I love it. My Mini Oliso iron may be small, but it works great on all my projects.

Following Crafter’s Edge instructions, place paper side of adhesive facing up on platform. Cover as directed before running through machine. *To reverse the direction of design, place fabric side up before cutting.

Run die and fabric through machine. Peel off paper liner from the backs of applique pieces. Place applique, adhesive side down, on right side of fabric. Press according to package directions until entire piece is bonded. Let cool. Sew around edges of applique using a straight, zig-zag, or blanket stitch. 

Step 2: With right sides together, sew 7" appliqued squares together. Press seams to sides.

Step 3: Place outside bag fabric face down on batting. Spray baste or pin to secure. Quilt in straight lines or with a pattern of your choice. Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive is what I use to baste my fabric for quilting.

Step 4: With right sides together, sew outside bag with batting and lining together along long edge. Press seam towards lining.

Sometimes after quilting fabric it shrinks a bit so the lining is a little longer. No worries, just trim it straight with the shorter section.

Step 5:  With right sides together, sew shorter ends together to create a tube; match outside bag and lining seam. Fold along outside bag and lining seam, placing lining inside bag with wrong sides together. Press flat. Baste raw edges together at bottom of bag.

Step 6: Place batting circle between wrong sides of fabric circles. Spray baste or pin to secure. Quilt with desired design. Sew a 1/4” from edge. Trim close to stitching.

 

Step 7: Mark center points on bag and fabric circle (in four places.) *Folding the bag and circle in quarters helps find the centers. With wrong sides together (yes…raw edges will be on the outside of the bag for now), match center points of circle and bag. Pin to secure. *Using lots of pins and clips helps avoid puckers.

Step 8: Sew 1/4” around the edge of the circle and bag, easing the fabric in as you go. Make sure you catch all layers. Trim fabric close to stitching.

Step 9: To cover raw edges of seam,, turn the bag inside out and go to the bottom of the bag where the circle is. 

Sew 1/4” from the finished seam, enclosing the unfinished edge. Slowly easing in the fabric helps as you go around the bag...don't rush it. It should have a finished seam on the inside as well as the outside.

Turn it inside out and check to make sure you caught all layers. *A walking foot makes sewing this easier.

Step 10: With right sides of fabric together, sew around straps leaving a 2” opening for turning. Clip corners and turn inside out. Press seams flat. Topstitch along seam line making sure to catch opening. Topstitch again 1/4” from edge. Center strap on bag and sew on buttons.

I had some leftover Halloween candy that filled this bag perfectly. This will be great for a big family with kids!

I'm going to do some more brainstorming for ways to use this sweet gingerbread man.

One Christmas gift down, a lot more to go!

I'm so glad you stopped by!