Level: Beginner

As seen on Kaye's Quilt Friends

This cute little felt bag can be personalized or seasonalized any way you wish. All it takes is a 9" x 12" rectangle of felt and your imagination! Any Janome sewing machine with a Parisian Stitch, Blanket Stitch or Overcast Stitch can be used. Embroidery on the front of the bag is optional.

Janome Supplies Required:

• Any Janome embroidery machine
• PC Design Card #1014 (Christmas Collection II) - optional
• Embroidery Hoop A or Standard Hoop - optional
• Clothsetter - optional
• #14 Topstitch needle

Fabric and Notions Required:

• 9" x 12" Felt (Wool Felt is best, but a heavier synthetic work also)
• Heavy duty decorative thread such as topstitching for stitching edges together
• Adhesive type stabilizer for Embroidery on felt - optional

Machine Stitches:
For Bag Construction:
Parisian Stitch, adjust the stitch width to 4.5

For Handle:
Blanket Stitch , a djust the stitch width to 4.5
Note: If your machine does not have these stitches, substitute any overcast stitch that will both stitch a seam and overcast the edge.

Cutting 9" x 12" Felt

1. Cut 2 - 2 1/4" x 4 5/8" pieces for Bag side
2. Cut 1 - 4" x 11 1/2" piece for Bag front, back and bottom
3. Cut 1 - 12" x 3/4" piece for Bag handle

Embroidery or Embellishing Felt

1. Embroider or embellish center of bag front, centering small design in area indicated.
2. Use a small design no bigger than approximately 2 1/2" wide x 3" tall.
   Note: For the sample shown, design #18 from PC Design Card #1014 (Christmas Collection II) was used. The lettering shown is “Typist" lettering style.

Bag Assembly
Note: Test sew stitches on scraps first, as top thread tension may need to be reduced. Also, if heavier thread is used, it may be necessary to bypass the bobbin thread tension spring. Determine this on scrap fabric before stitching bag.

1. Using Parisian Stitch , with stitch width 4.5, sew across on fold lines to create bottom of the bag.
2. With wrong sides together, place one bag side under panel just sewn, and sew down from top edge to first fold line. Stop with needle down at corner, pivot bottom of bag side underneath, and sew to other fold line. Pivot again and sew to edge.
3. Repeat turn and sew method (pivoting at corners) for remaining side of bag, keeping the bag front/side panel on top when sewing.
4. Stitch around top edge of bag just created.
5. Fold 12" long handle strip in half lengthwise. Using Blanket stitch with stitch width 4.5; sew edges together creating one long handle. Cut handle in half, creating two 6" handle pieces.
6. Using a straight stitch, sew one handle to each bag panel top, approximately 1/2" from bag sides.

Other Ideas

• Create an Easter gift bag, with embroidered or appliquéd Easter eggs and the child's name on the front, filled with Easter grass and candies.
• Try Personalized Holiday gift bags, with name embroidered. Appliqué a candy cane, Christmas tree, or ornament!
• Change the size/dimension of the pieces to fit a particular gift. If creating a larger bag, double the fabric for a sturdier bag. Use decorative cording or a turned tube handle. This might work well for an item like a wine bottle.