Speedy-Stitch Gift Bag

The best things come in small (& handmade!) packages… like this speedy-stitch gift bag.
YOU WILL NEED
- 1 fat quarter
Medium weight interfacing -60x30cm
- Elastic: 10cm (4in)
- Button
- Basic sewing kit
NOTE Use a 1cm  seam allowance.

 CUTTING THE FABRIC
Cut the fat quarter in half lengthways.
Take one piece and press the interfacing on the wrong side (WS).This will be the outer bag.
Fold the outer bag fabric in half widthways with WS together and draw two boxes in the corners along the folded edge, 5cm  wide and 4cm  deep. (01) Step four Cut out the boxes along the drawn lines through both layers of the folded fabric. Step five Repeat this with the other piece of fabric, which will be used for the bag lining.

ADDING THE BUTTON LOOP
Fold the elastic in half to make a loop then pin the ends to the right side (RS) of the back of the outer piece of fabric, positioning it centrally across the top edge. The ends of the elastic should match up with the raw edges of the fabric. Step two Stitch across the ends. (02)

 JOINING THE OUTER TO THE LINING
Open out the outer and lining pieces of fabric and place them RS facing.Stitch along both of the top edges. (03) Step three Open out the fabrics and match the seams together.
Sew together along the side edges, leaving the cut out boxes in the corners unstitched. Leave an 8cm  opening in the centre of one side unstitched for turning your bag RS out later. (04)

 MAKING THE BOXED CORNERS
Working on one corner of the outer fabric, open out the corner, matching the side seams with the bottom fold and press it flat.
Pin across the cornerthen stitch. (05)
Repeat this to box the other corner of the outerfabric and thetwo corners of the lining fabric in the same way.
Turn the bag RS out through the turning gap then slip stitch it closed.
Press the bag well.
FINISHING OFF
Pinch the sides together 4cm from the side seams at the top, then pin and press into place. (06)
At the top of each of the gathers, work a few holding stitches with your machine. This will hold these sides in place to give the bag some shape and rigidity.
Fold the top of the bag over then stitch the button into place to match up with the end of the loop. Now fill with treats!