DIY Easter Bags (with Video)
These easy DIY Easter bags are perfect Easter basket alternatives. The Easter treat bags can be customized to any size that you want, which means you can give small toys and candy or large gifts.
Reusable Easter goodie bags can be stored much easier than large baskets. These easy drawstring bags are great for party favors or you can even hide gifts inside and then put in an Easter basket.
You can use these same instructions and different type of fabric to make drawstring bags any time of year.
Once you get the hang of these directions, you can make a bag in 10-15 minutes.
These bags can be made in any size. I put dimensions for the small bag that I made in the instructions below.
Here is how to figure the dimensions for custom sizes:
- Measure the width you would like the bag to be. Then add 1 inch.
- If you plan on adding a bulky item, such as a box, you will want to add more than 1 inch to the width dimension to allow for expansion of the bag.
- Measure how tall you want the bag to be. Just the bag, not the casing! Then add 2 inches.
- If you have a wider ribbon, you can increase the size of the casing. Instead of adding 2 inches to the measurement, add 3 inches.
- If you need to cut two separate pieces of fabric, rather than a long piece cut on a fold, add another 1 inch to the length to allow for the seam allowance to sew to join the pieces together.
Watch our easy sewing tutorial on YouTube to see how to make these Easter goodie bags.
How to Sew Easter Bags
If you would like an ad-free tutorial to download and use any time you’d like, get our DIY Easter bags eBook.
I have included measurements below for the 6 X 6 inch bag that I made with the yellow and white gingham check ribbon.
This project uses a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
Supplies
- (1) Piece of 7 in X 15 in fabric (17.75 cm X 38 cm) (the Easter egg fabric I used was part of my thrift store fabric haul goodie bag; this fabric is similar)
- (2) pieces of cord or ribbon, 24 inches long (61 cm) (This is the yellow gingham check ribbon that I used)
- Thread
- Straight Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine (this is the Brother Sewing Machine I used in my video; I also have a video tutorial for how to use this inexpensive beginner-friendly sewing machine)
- Tailor’s Chalk, Fabric Pen or Erasable Marker (optional) (this is the chalk that I used)
- Safety Pin or Sewing Bodkin
Directions
Step 1
Cut the fabric.
If using two pieces of fabric, use the following instructions. If using only one piece, skip to Step 2.
Place wrong sides together and sew the bottom edge together with a 3/8 inch seam allowance (1 cm).
Press open the seam with an iron.
Step 2
Fold the fabric together, with the wrong sides facing each other and the edges lined up. Pin the fabric together so that it does not move around while measuring.
On the outer edge of the folded piece of fabric, measure 2 inches (5 cm) down from the top open edge of the short side. Make a mark with tailor’s chalk, an erasable fabric marking pen, etc.
If you are using a wider ribbon and want a larger casing, measure 3 inches down.
Then measure 3/8 inch (1 cm) inwards from the outer long edge. Draw a straight line from the outer edge to the 3/8 inch mark that is 2 inches from the top.
Repeat the same process on the other side of the fabric.
NOTE: Instead of using chalk or a marker, you could use pins instead.
Step 3
Make a small cut along the line that you drew on each side. Be sure to cut through both layers of fabric.
Step 4
Open up the fabric to be one long piece, with the wrong side facing up.
On one end, fold the seam allowance (the small piece that you just cut) inward, with right side facing up. Fold the fabric over in a straight line.
(It should be turned in 3/8 inch. You can draw a line with chalk or marker if that helps. Otherwise, just eyeball it to be straight.)
Press the fabric down with your fingers to crease it or press with an iron.
Repeat this process on all four sides of the fabric.
Step 5
Fold the top 2 inch piece of fabric that has the seams pressed in down to meet the cut marks.
The right side of the fabric will now be facing up, and the folded-over piece should be about 1-inch tall, making the drawstring casing.
Pin the fabric in place.
Sew along the bottom edge of the fold, close to the cut edge. You do not want to use a 3/8 inch seam allowance here.
Step 6
Fold the fabric in half, with the right sides together, matching the edges at the top.
Pin the fabric together to stay in place.
Stitch down a long side with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. The stitching should start at the corner where the drawstring casing meets the wider piece of fabric. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.
Repeat on the other side.
Step 7
Cut the corners diagonally to reduce bulk, being careful not to cut the stitched seams.
Turn the bag inside out, pushing out the corners with your fingers or a turning tool.
Step 8
Now you need to cut two long pieces of ribbon. This will depend on the size of your bag.
To figure out how long the ribbon should be, lay it over the top of the bag. Add extra on each side, enough to tie a knot once you are done. Then take that measurement and double it. This will be the size of one piece of ribbon that you need.
You will need two pieces of ribbon in that length to complete the drawstring.
Attach a safety pin to the end of one piece of cord. You could alternatively use a sewing bodkin.
Insert the safety pin through the casing and work its way across the fabric. Pull out the cord, being sure that there are a few inches left on the other side and the cord is not pulled all the way through.
Put the safety pin through the other casing, working the cord through the casing until it comes out the other side. You will now have a cut end hanging out of each of the casings on one side.
Now, repeat the process but in the opposite way. Insert the safety pin into the casing on the side where the cord is looped (and not cut). Draw the cord through the casing, then bring it back through the second casing.
You will now have two cut ends of cord on each side of the bag, as well as a looped piece of cord on each side.
Step 9
Tie a knot with the two cut ends of cord on one side. Repeat on the other.
If using a cord or ribbon that frays, you could wrap the ends with clear tape or apply a little clear craft glue to prevent fraying.
To use, put treats inside the bag and then pull on the knotted ends of each cord until the drawstring bag closes.
Want to save this project for later? Be sure to Pin It on Pinterest!
We would be thrilled if you share this project on Facebook with others who might like the easy instructions to make an Easter bag!
Be sure to see our other easy Easter sewing projects next:
