Pretty soon. . .
. . . all the ghosts and goons. . .
. . . will head to the streets. . .
. . . to. . .
. . . trick. . .
. . . or treat.
So, shouldn't they have their very own custom Jack-O-Lantern trick-or-treat bag? We think: YES! Not only are these bags cute, but they are also useful. With individualized glowing emblems, they can help you find each other in the dark.
DIY Jack-O-Lantern Trick-or-Treat Bag
Materials:
- Scrap fabric (at least two different types, one solid and one patterned)
- Needle and thread (or sewing machine)
- Felt
- Glow sticks
With your orange fabric doubled once, fold it in half again. Begin cutting the first quarter arc of a circle with a radius of approximately 5"-6" (you could make a larger one if you'd like a bigger bag, this one is roughly 10"-12" when complete). When you get to the apex of the curve, take the section you just cut and fold it over on itself. Use this as a pattern to cut the rest of the circle. It doesn't have to be perfect, pumpkins aren't perfect circles in the real world so they don't have to be here either.
When you have your circle cut, keep it folded in half and cut of one of the ends with an curved stroke (see image above). Unfold the fabric and you should have two identical layers in the shape of your trick or treat bag. Place one of these pieces on the fabric you are using for your lining (it could be more of the orange or you could line it with a simple muslin like I did). Use it as a template and cut two more identical layers. Sew around the edges of the lining (but not the opening) and set aside).
Decide on the shape you would like for the cut-out and trace it on to the center of the front of your bag. If orientation is important to you, make sure to draw carefully so that you won't have any pencil lines on the fabric once you cut out the shape. When you have your shape cut out, pin a piece of your accent fabric behind the opening and top stitch around the edges. After you have finished sewing, turn the piece over and trim the excess accent fabric so that you have an equal seam allowance all the way around the shape.
Put the right sides together and sew around the edges (leaving the top open). Turn this piece right side out and place it inside the sewn lining (keep the lining inside out). Sew around the top edge starting just after the shape in the front and ending just before it so that there is an opening in the top front of the bag that is roughly 1.5". Use this opening to turn the bag right side out and push the lining inside the bag. Hand stitch the opening finish the edges, but don't sew it closed (this is the pocket for the glow sticks).
Cut a 2" wide strip of felt to your desired handle length. Fold it over and sew along the long edge and one of the short edges. Using a pencil, start turning the fabric right side out starting at the short end that is sewn closed. When your handle is turned out, sew the open end shut by hand. Cut two pumpkin leaves (I drew a simple paper template and used it to cut my leaves).
Sew the handle ends to the outside of the bag on either side making sure to only go through the top layer of fabric and not the lining. When the handles are secure, place the leaves over them and use a few stitches to secure.
When the lights go out, drop a glow stick in the pocket and head out for a night of trick or treating!
~ Sarah
P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a copy of our book in our current giveaway!
*Last time in Crafts and Activities: Handmade Costumes
