Trick-or-Treat Bag Tutorial

This year I wanted to make Kennedy a Trick-or-Treat bag with cute Halloween fabrics. I looked everywhere for a tutorial that I liked, and just couldn't find one that matched the image in my head. So I decided to make up my own and share it with you. The techniques are not original, but I'll share my process in case anyone is interested. You have a week until the little ghosts and gobblins start running, but you won't need that much time this bag will wip up in a couple hours.
What you’ll need:
A selection of Halloween fabric scraps that are at least 7” long
(1) 7” x 9” piece of coordinating fabric for the base of the bag
(1) 9” x 20” piece of fabric for the liner
(1) 9” x 20” piece of interfacing, I would use medium to heavy interfacing (mine was not an iron on but you can use one, personal preference)
(1) 2 ½” x 12” piece of fabric for the handle
(1) ¾” x 12” piece of interfacing for the handle

1- Cut out strips-
Each strip should be 1 ½ - 3 ½” x 7”
Cut enough strips to make a (2) 9” x 7” rectangles, including ¼” seams
If you choose not to make a scrappy bag then cut (2) pieces of fabric that are 7” x9”

2- Sew strips together- use a ¼” seam.
You’ll end up with (2) sides 7” x 9”, you may need to trim your rectangles to get the right size.

3- Sew striped sides to base- your new piece should be 9” x 20” and will be the outside of your bag. Iron all your seams.
4- Layer outside piece and 9” x 20” interfacing.
Top stitch along the edge of the base fabric on both sides. This will help hold the fabric and interfacing together for the next step, but you may also want to use some pins around the edges.

5- Fold in half, right sides together and sew along both sides.
6- The next step is to gusset the corners. I’m not a gusseting expert so I’m not going to make a fool of myself trying to explain it. If you need instructions try this link. I used a 2" gusset on both corners.
7- Repeat steps 5 & 6 with the liner fabric.
Just be sure to leave a gap along one of the sides in which to turn the bag through, and be certain to leave the gap well above where you will be gusseting the corner.
8- Now for the handle-
Take your handle fabric piece and fold in half length wise, right sides together. Sew along the length.
Turn and iron open with the seam down the center.

Now thread the interfacing through the fabric tube, using a safety pin helps here.
Top stitch along the length of both sides.
9- Putting the bag together-
First, take your outside/interfacing piece that is still right sides together, place your handle inside and pin right sides to the right side of the outside fabric. (You’ll want the seam of the handle facing up).
Second, layer in the lining so that it is right side to the right side of your outside fabric and the handle is in between. You won’t be able to push the liner all the way down because the handle will be in the way.
Match up side seams and pin around bag opening.
10- Sew around the opening. Then turn the whole bag through the gap you left in the liner.

11- Once you have your whole bag turned top stitch the top edge, you may want to pin it hold fabrics in place.
12- Finally sew up the gap in your liner by hand or machine and you’re done! Fill with tricks, treats or both! (Finished dimensions: 4 1/2" wide x 8" high)

Happy Halloween!

And I'm linking up here: