Fabric Holiday Bagsby: Joyce Moseley Pierce - 641 wordsAs my children were growing up, it always bothered meto buy wrapping paper only to see it ripped open andthrown in the fireplace or trash after Christmas gifts were opened. I tried using comics but soon discovered I didn't like the black newsprint it left on my hands andeveryone else's. For me, gift wrap was right up therewith fireworks - we spent good money only to see itgo up in smoke. I began to look for a solution.I China Sofa Velvet Fabric Suppliers bought craft paper and stenciled things on it, butstill, I felt the paper was going to waste. Then oneyear after Christmas I saw holiday fabric on sale andhad an idea! I bought yard after yard of it on clearance and brought it home to make gift bags.I cut the fabric in various sizes. Sometimes I onlygot 2-3 bags out of a yard, but I knew that they wouldbe able to hold the bigger items, and better yet - I wouldbe able to reuse them next year.

I basically cut and sewed them like a pillowcase. I sewed a seam up three sides and left the top open. Then I turned that edge in slightlyand stitched it on the machine to finish it off. Then I folded it in about 3 inches (or more on bigger bags)and hemmed it. I then put another row of stitchingabout a half inch above that one to create a casingfor the ribbon. I slipped a piece of ribbon through thecasing and tied it shut. If you have nosey kids, youmay want to tie a knot!Once the gifts are stuffed in the fabricbags and poofed up with tissue paper, stand them up around the tree and enjoy your creative artwork! They looklike miniature Santa bags. The best thing, besidesthe fact that in the long run you are saving moneyby not buying wrapping paper, is that you don't spendhours wrapping the gifts and don't need scotch tapeor bows. One satin ribbon will last the lifetime ofthe bag. I still use gift tags and punch a hole in them sothey can be run through the ribbon. You might save old Christmas cards and cut them up for gift tags.At first my kids hated it - I guess they liked thesound of the ripping paper and the big mess it created.As years went by, I was determined to make this work, andfeel I have now succeeded. I continue to buy fabricoccasionally because my family has grown and now includesin-laws and grandchildren. I make the bags big enoughthat I can insert a shirt box, or whatever size Imay be using. Sometimes I just wrap the item with a lotof tissue paper and then stuff it in the fabric bag.Tissue paper allows people to hear the crunching ofpaper and seems to satisfy the need for noise! Tissuepaper is also reusable for the same purpose next year. Just fold it up and put it away with the bags.

All of the bags can be folded and stuffed inside the largest bag. You can save space, time, and money.If you have wrapping paper left over from last year (somepeople unwrap gifts and save the paper) try running itthrough a shredder to use as stuffing for your bags. The fuller the bags, the cuter they look under the tree.Use whatever fabric catches your eye or whatever is onsale. I like the red and green holiday fabric, but I've since incorporated some blue and gold into the group. Even plain muslin or pillow ticking can look good if you spice it up with fancy ribbon. Be creative.