Holiday Gift Bags

Step 1:

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.

2. If using new purchased fabric, prewash fabric to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

3. Cut fabric into two 18” x 22” pieces. One piece will be dyed Kelly Green for the bags. The other piece of fabric will be dyed Fuchsia and used to make the rosettes.

4. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Kelly Green dye with 2 cups very hot water (140º F) in 4-cup plastic container. Note: Scrunching fabric into a small container creates a mottled effect with light and dark areas of color.

5. Wet piece of fabric; squeeze out excess water. Immerse wet fabric into dye solution. Use spoon to move fabric and push it around to be sure it absorbs the dye.

6. Cover container with plastic wrap. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place container in microwave and set on high for 2 minutes.

7. Wearing thick rubber gloves, carefully remove container from microwave. THE PLASTIC WRAP WILL BE HOT. Wait a few minutes to allow the plastic wrap to cool.

Remove plastic wrap, rinse in cool water until water runs clear. Wash the fabric in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse and dry.

8. Repeat dye process for remaining fat quarter using Fuchsia dye.



To Make Gift Bags:

1. Cut Kelly Green fabric to desired size rectangle and lay wrong side up so you see the back side of the fabric. A fat quarter can be cut to make four small bags (approximately 5” x 9”), two medium bags (approximately 10” x 9”) or one large bag (approximately 10” x 17”). Or, cut bags to any size you like.

2. Fold in 1/2 inch on each shorter side, press with an iron, and stitch down the two folds. These stitched folds will become the top of the bag.

3. Fold bag in half crosswise, right sides together. Stitch ¼” seams along both sides so that the stitched folds are the only open side.

4. Turn bag right side out. Repeat for other bags.



To Make Rosettes:

1. Cut Fuchsia dyed fabric into 3”x 22” strips. Then fold fabric in half lengthwise so that it measures 1½” ″ x 22″. Tie a knot in one end. Don’t pull tight. Leave it kind of loose.

2. Take the fabric next to the knot and twist it up and over the knot. Twist the fabric around the knot. Think of the swirls in an old fashioned lollipop.

3. Continue twisting the fabric around in the same manner.

4. When rosette reaches the desired size, snip off the remaining fabric. Twist and tuck under the end of the fabric. Stitch or glue in place. Tip: For a larger rosette, use a longer piece of fabric (approximately 3″ x 28″).