Christmas Sewing Has Begun

What it is not even December and I have already begun to sew for Christmas. Of course some of what I am sewing I cannot currently display on the blog - that will happen after Christmas and presents have been opened.

The first thing I sewed was a bag. I was recently invited to a Christmas party by a friend. The theme of the party is your favorite things. Each guest is to bring 2 of their favorite things. They will be placed on the gift table and everyone will explain why these are their favorites. Each guest will then get to select a gift, you end up leaving the party with 2 gifts.

I have many favorite things, but sewing and canning are always on my top 10 list. I asked if the host thought a basket of home canned cranberry goodness would be appreciated. She responded with please mark her name as a big yes. I thought about making them into a gift basket and then thought of sewing a reusable shopping bag to be part of the gift. My MIL kindly saves her bird seed bags for me. I have already used some to sew reusable shopping bags.

The patten as such is simply a brown paper grocery bag I cut into pieces. Here is what all the pieces look like before they are sewed together.

This time for the first time I used my serger to sew the sides and handles. I was very pleased with how well it handled the different material. I wa intentional with trying to get the bag writing on both the front and back. I think it adds a nice touch.

Hopefully someone will like my gift ideas. I always worry about providing home made gifts. I wonder if people think they are tacky and/or cheap. I certainly see lots of “homemade items” at craft fairs I go to so maybe it is more accepted these days.