Easy Felt Crafts: Keepsake Gift Bag

Here's an easy felt crafts project that shows how to make a keepsake gift bag. The bag holds the gift and becomes the storage bag as well. Or, you can use the bag as a sachet bag for your closet or storage chest. The bag can also hold a child's treasures too.

This example shows the bag with an Easy Christmas Crafts Beaded Christmas Wreath being placed inside. The bag holds several of the beaded Christmas wreaths. In addition to holding the gift, the bag can be their storage container.

Easy Felt Crafts: Keepsake Gift Bag Materials and Tools:

• Craft felt, 9 in x 12 in, in the color of your choice
• Yarn (size 3 or size 10 crochet yarn both work great)
• Yarn darner needle (a pack of size 14 to 18 gives you alternatives)
• Pins (straight or safety) (optional)
• Chalk pencil or small piece of bar soap for marking
• Scissors
• Ruler

The Steps for How to Make the Easy Felt Crafts: Keepsake Gift Bag:

Cut the craft felt in half lengthwise. The result should be 4.5 inches by 12 inches.

Start sewing the blanket stitch at one of the folded corners. Make sure you hide any knots or end threads inside your stitching. 

Sew the side to the open end. 

After making the last blanket stitch, sew several stitches around the blanket stitch. This adds strength to the stress point. 

Hide the end thread within the blanket stitches and cut the thread. 

Follow the same steps for the opposite side. 

Next, make the braid for holding the bag closed.

Cut strands of yarn 24 inches long in multiples of three. If you use one of the larger yarns, three strands should be enough. Smaller yarns require six or nine strands to make a strong braid. 

Tie a knot in one end of the strands of yarn to hold them together. Separate the yarn in three equal sections.

Begin braiding by taking the right section over the middle section. Pull the middle to the right. Next, move the left section over the new middle (which used to be the right section) and move the middle the left. 

Pull the yarn firmly after each overlap to keep the braid consistent. Continue the alternate lapping until you get within one inch of the end. 

At the end, tie a knot in the braided yarn. 

Pull the knot firmly to tighten.

Trim the ends of the braided yarn evenly. 

Mark six points one inch from the top of the bag and equidistant from each other.  

Cut small slits in the felt at the marks on both sides of the bag. These slits form the casing for the braided yarn.

Thread the braid alternating in and out through the slits. 

The bag is finished and ready for treasures. 

After placing the gift items inside, pull the braid forming gathers in the top of the bag. Wrap the braid around the gathered top and tie with a simple bow. 

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Here, Easy Christmas Crafts Beaded Christmas Wreath ornaments spill out of the bag.

The easy felt crafts project provides a simple and inexpensive solution for a keepsake gift bag. The treasures placed inside can also be handmade or purchased. Either way, this is easy and fun!

Enjoy!