HANDCRAFTED SUGAR COOKIE GIFT SACK (these are so easy to make)

H ome-baked cookies and the holidays go hand in hand and if you love giving home-baked goodies, why not consider giving the gift that recipients can bake for themselves. 

You're going to love this project.

 

These handcrafted cookie mix sacks are super pretty on the outside and contain sugar cookie mix on the inside.

Of course, you could include any kind of baked goods mix you like.  

While no major sewing skills are needed, this project does requires a little bit of sewing.

Don't worry, if you can sew a few straight lines and wield an iron you'll be good to go.

You'll only need a few other supplies including assorted embellishments, jute (or some other sturdy twine or ribbon) and cotton fabric of your choice.

NOTE: The fabric I used is called ticking.  It's a tightly woven, durable cotton fabric that is manufactured in a variety of colors. 

Vintage ticking (which is much thicker than modern-day) was used in old mattresses and pillows because the thick weave prevented feathers from sticking through and poking owners.

You can package your own special cookie mix or take the easy way out (like I did).

Since I don't have a cookie mix to share from scratch, I picked up boxes of one of my favorite sugar cookie mix from the grocery store.

The cookie mix is already (and conveniently) packaged so there's no mess.

Meaure the width of the flour baggie. 

This one measures about 6-inches wide so that's how wide I cut my fabric strips. 

You'll need to cut two fabric strips of fabric for each sack with each one measuring 6-inches wide x @25-inches long.

If using striped fabric, cut the fabric so the lines run vertically along the longest measurement.  I think vertical stripes just look better for this project.  

Take two cuts and place wrong sides together and stitch along the bottom and both sides.

Leave the short top edge open.

After stitching, turn fabric inside out (like you would turn a very long sock).

Turn the remaining open top edge over about 1/4-inch.  Iron and then stitch across the top through both thicknesses. 

This will close the entire fabric strip and create a closed fabric tube. 

Next, push the top-stitched edge of the fabric down inside the rest of the fabric tube (like turning a sock) which creates a sack half the original length of the tube.

Iron and then topstitch the new top edge. Top stitch through single thickness DO NOT STITCH CLOSED.

Fold over the top edge about an inch or two to create the cuff.  Iron again.

VOILA!  You now have a gift sack ready to fill and embellish.

Of course, you can embellish your gift sacks with just about anything.

Here's another look at a few of the items I used.  

Grab some bakers twine and a few scrapbook supplies and you can easily make handcrafted tags to go along with the handcrafted cookie sacks.

I think adding the labels is a nice way to finish off the presentation.

Oh, and don't toss the original box the cookie mix came in until you jot down the directions and additional ingredients needed.

I typed up the instructions on the computer and printed one copy for each sack.

Fold the instructions and slide a copy into the back of the gift sack so recipients will know exactly what to do with the mix. 

Meanwhile, tie a piece of jute just below the cuff and pull tight.

Criss-cross a cinnamon stick and spoon (or candy cane or whatever) and tie the jute again.

Add the holly and tie the jute twice to secure and then tie it in a bow.

Use a piece of bakers twine to tie your handmade label around the embellishments.

While you can make the gift sacks whatever size you choose, two yards of fabric should yield 9 cookie sacks using my measurements of 25-inches X 6-inches for each sack.  

I stitched all the gift sacks in the photo below in a little over one hour.

Don't limit this idea to just the holidays either. 

You can change the fabric and make a gift sack like this anytime of year using appropriate decorations to represent whatever season you like. 

Imagine how cute these would look on a Spring or Summer bake sale or fundraising table.

These gift sacks are fast and easy to make and as you can see make for a beautiful gift presentation that any recipient would enjoy receiving.

Sugar cookies anyone? ♥ 

WANT MORE CREATIVE INSPIRATION?

I'm continuing to participate in various holiday linky parties around blogland.  If you want to see more great ideas, pop over to Lucy's at Craftberry Bush for tons of creative inspiration.  You don't want to miss all the holiday projects over at Whitney and Ashley's at Shanty 2 Chic linky party so check over there for even more fun.  You'll love the great projecst over at Michael's linky party.  Be sure to check out Inspired by Charm for more beautiful inspiration.  Tons of ideas and projects are featured over at Beth's party too at Home Stories A to Z.

COMING UP ON FRIDAY

 

 

Baby, it's cold outside so BUTTON UP!

Coming up on Friday, I'll share a really fun cookie creation with a look at how to make these adorable button-shaped sugar cookies.

This is another simple baking project with great holiday gift potential.

Hope you pop by again later this week for my bi-weekly installment of       THE FRIDAY FOODIE.

See you then.  

Comments

[Judy]

Saw this idea on Pinterest and just wanted to say THANK YOU- a marvellous idea, and I love how you have decorated the bags

[Erma]

Love how simple these are to make. Thanks for the tutorial. My question is, do you put the mix in a plastic bag then inside this fabric bag?

[Theresa]

I originally posted this comment to your FB page but decided it was more appropriate here on your blog.

Just came across your blog because of a share of this photo. What a great project, love it! Can't wait to make some these bags.

I love your blog and what a great idea of showing what's coming up next at the end of your posts. If ever I could get to a place where I'm posting consistently and get posts ready in advance, I'd love to borrow your idea of showing what's coming up next in my future posts.

[Angela @ Cottage Magpie]

What a cute idea, and I love the idea of using cookie mix from the store. I have seen ideas that use mason jars, but I hate to give those away because we use them all for canning! This is much better, and cuter, too!

~Angela~

[swoonforfood]

These are just beautiful! Love everything about it. Colors, berries, spoon etc. Great job :)

[Jackie B]

I can't figure it out and I sew! In your pictures, I see "right" sides together, not wrong sides. And I see "right" side out, instead of wrong side out. I will have to look instructions up on the interwebs; I really want to make these!

[Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy]

Oh my goodness, how cute and simple! I love this idea! A quick and simple thing to pull together yet this year! Thanks for the great inspiration & for linking up at Happy Hour!
Jaime

[Vicki]

Great idea Lisa!

[Kisha]

This is a great idea and they each have such a rich look! This is the perfect gift for co-workers also. Now I just need the time to make them (smile).

[Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita]

These look terrific! And what a perfect idea as a favor for a cookie swap or Christmas party. I Love it!

[SuzK]

great idea! love how you created and decorated the bag-very pretty!