Carrot Treat Bags

MAKE IT!

These fun little carrot treat bags are a quick sew Easter gift. Stitch, add ribbon and fill with sweet treats!

About the Fabric

This is my first project that I designed with Spoonflower, an on-demand digital printing company offering eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics, wallpaper and home decor. Once you’ve selected the design from their website, you can choose from numerous fabric options. For this project choose Petal Signature Cotton or Organic Cotton Sateen. A fat quarter will yield two finished carrots, while a yard will provide at least eight carrots.

Keep in mind that these fabrics are printed-to-order and it takes a few days to process and ship, so be sure to allow a couple extra days to complete your project.

Your fabrics will come with care instructions from Spoonflower. Wash and dry according to their recommendations. Here are the basics:

Use a phosphate-free detergent in cool/cold water on a gentle or delicate machine cycle. Its always a good idea to wash similar fabric colors together.
Dry on low.
I found the printing to be very color-fast, but iron the fabric from the back on an old towel to be safe.

Notions

In addition to the fabric you will need:

Neutral light colored thread. I used ivory.
Each treat bag requires two 16″ pieces of 1/8″ to 1/4″ ribbon or cording.
A 12″ piece of stiff wire is handy for threading the drawstrings (See step 8).
Goodies to fill your carrot treat bags!

Step-by-Step

STEP 1 – Cut Out Pattern Pieces

You will need two pattern pieces per bag. Cut on the dotted line using scissors or a rotary cutter and straight edge.

TIP: It is best to completely cut off the dotted line as shown below so the darker printing does not show through to the outside of the finished bag.

STEP 2 – Serge or Zig Zag Top Edge

Serge or zig zag top raw edge between top green dots to prevent fraying.

STEP 3 – Pin

Pin the two pieces, right sides together, aligning all side seam dots.

TIP: Align pins at the red dots on either side as illustrated by the red lines in the photos. This marks the drawstring channel openings.

STEP 4 – Stitch

Using a 1/4″ seam, stitch around carrot from top green dot to top green dot, leaving the top open.

Leave openings between the two red dots on each side to allow for the drawstring. This is best accomplished by stitching up to first pin marking the opening and back stitching. With the needle up, lift the presser foot and simply move to the next pin and stitch 4 or 5 stitches. Back stitch to pin and then continue with seam.

NOTE: Be careful not to hit pins with your needle! This can bend your pins and dull or break the needle. It is best to remove pins as soon as you can.

STEP 5 – Trim Threads

Trim all threads, including the threads between the red dots.

TIP: This is also a good time to trim the tip of the carrot, which will make turning right side out (Step 7) easier. Just be careful to not trim too close to the stitching.

STEP 6 – Press Seams

Press side seams open. I used a sleeve ironing board for this step, but you can also use a rolled up cotton towel inserted in the top opening to make this step easier.

STEP 7 – Fold Over Top and Press, Turn

Fold top over to inside at blue dots so that top green dots and inside side seam green dots align.

Press along top edge.

Turn right side out.

STEP 8 – Make Drawstring Channel

Create your drawstring channel by stitching around the circumference of the bag twice. For the first seam, pin frequently as shown in photo. I placed a pin every inch.

Note to self: get brighter colored pins for better contrast in the photos!

This first seam will be on the green carrot top approximately 1/8″ above orange carrot. Back stitch at the beginning and end of each line of stitching.

TIP: I love my Clear View 1/4″ quilting presser foot for this step, as it has a red line marked for an 1/8″ seam. Its completely optional, but it makes this step easier. Purchase from your favorite local quilt shop.

Take your time when maneuvering the fabric under your presser foot. Care should be taken to make sure the bottom layers are clear of the stitch line.

The second seam will be 1/2″ above this first stitch line. Pins are not needed for this step, as the first seam will hold everything in place. Again, you’ll want to make sure the bottom layers are clear of the stitch line.

Back stitch at the beginning end end of your seam. Trim all loose threads.

TIP: I switched to my regular presser foot, as it allowed me to move the needle to the right. When I aligned the foot with the first seam it gave me a perfect 1/2″ seam.

STEP 9 – Drawstrings

Thread a 16″ piece of ribbon or cording around the entire bag, entering and exiting from the same opening. Knot the ends.

TIP: I use a piece of stiff wire for this step. Note that aluminum craft wire is too soft and will not work as well. Loop one end of the wire and secure with tape to create an eye to thread the ribbon into.