The New Home Ec
Sew Up a Last Minute Trick or Treat Bag

I know, what was I thinking? It’s 2 days before Halloween and here I am sewing new trick-or-treat bags. But they turned out so cute and functional. The perfect size for my kids. I’m sure I’m not the only one making last minute adjustments to the kids’ costumes. Am I right?
Well our usual plastic pumpkins from years past are just not cutting it for this year’s day of trick-or-treating. They clunk around and bump into the kids as they run from house to house. I’m done with them. When I was a kid, I used my pillowcase every year. SO much candy can fit in a pillow case. But I thought my little ones might be a hair too little for that much candy to be collected, so I decided to whip up a couple of smaller scrap fabric sacks to do the “trick” (pun intended).
These bags are super simple. Yes, it’s sewing, but you can do it. Really, it’s like 4 seams stitched, and a handle. That’s it. You can do it!! And here’s the steps so you can make one tonight, you’ve got 2 more days ;)
Supplies for Sewn Halloween Treat Bags:
- scrap fabric, something to match their costume — any size you’d like. My piece of fabric is measured 9×30 inches for my girls and 20×30 for my older boy (I figured he could have a little more room to stay out a little longer)
- sewing machine or needle and thread
- 2 pieces of 12 inch ribbon or quilt binding
- iron :)
- paint supplies, puffy paint — optional

1. Open your fabric. On one of the ends, which will be the top of the bag, fold over the fabric 1/4 of an inch and sew a stitch. Do the same to the other end of the fabric, the other short end that will be the top of the bag as well.
2. Fold your fabric in half, with the “fold” as the bottom side of the bag, with the right sides together. Sew up one side and sew up the other side, forming the sack.
3. For the handle: Pin one end of your ribbon piece to one side of top of your bag. Sounds confusing, but look at the photo. You will sew the ribbon about 3 inches in from the top side of the bag, and then sew the other end of the ribbon about 3 inches from the opposite side of the bag. That was one handle. Do the same for the other side of the bag with the second ribbon, sewing it on.
4. Turn the bag right side out.
5. IRON the bag. Just helps it look a little more crisp and less like you just found this scrap fabric in the back of your sewing closet :)
6. Optional: add paint or puff paint to your bags and let them dry (you’ve got one more night to let them dry!) We did black spots for the lady bug and a silver lightning bolt for Thor!
Now we’re set, ready for Halloween! Happy Trick or Treating!!
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1 Comment
Janel commented on Nov 01 11 at 12:05 amI LOVE the idea of using ribbon for the handle. And personalized trick-or-treat bags that coordinate with the costumes…I wish I had read this post last night. SUCH a cute idea. And they pack FLAT in the Halloween box! What a winner idea.
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