Tutorial: Easy Easter Sewing Projects – Carrot Bags

Here’s a fun and easy Easter sewing project that you can make with the fabric you have on hand – carrot bags! Make a few bags, fill them with your favorite Easter treats, and tuck them into the Easter basket of somebunny special. Plus, if you like this bag, check out the other three styles in our Holiday Gift Bag Pattern!

WHAT YOU NEED

• fat quarters in orange (or scrap pieces)
• large triangle drawn and cut out on paper (or this great ruler!)
• orange thread
• green fabric scraps
• green thread
• green ribbon
• batting / polyfill

HOW TO MAKE

• To make the carrot interior and exterior:
  • Draw a large triangle on an 8.5″ x 11″ paper that runs the entire length of the paper. Cut out for use as a template.

• • Using the triangle template, trace the triangle on the wrong side of your orange fabric. (Or, as shown in the pictures, use scrap pieces to create a triangle with the same dimensions as the template.) Cut four triangles, as you will need four to make the bag (two outside, two inside)
    • TIP: with a sharp blade on your rotary cutter, you can cut multiple layers of fabric at the same time

• • Place two triangles right sides together, and sew with a ¼” seam allowance to make the carrot exterior. Repeat with the other two triangles to make the carrot interior/lining.

• • On one of the triangles (select a triangle that will be the front exterior of your carrot), sew a button hole that starts about 3/4” below the top. This will be where your ribbon feeds through.
    • TIP: sew the button hole right near the seam to make the front of the carrot have a more patchwork feel!

• To make the leaves:
  • Back to the paper. Draw a three-fingered leaf and cut out. Be sure to have at least a 1″ stem on the leaf so it can be sewn into the carrot.

• • Trace the leaf on the wrong side of your green fabric. Cut out six leaves total (use a variety of scrap pieces).

• • Sew the leaves right sides together with a 1/4-1/8″ seam allowance, and turn right-side out. Stuff a small amount of batting into each leaf – not too much, but just enough to help it slightly puff.

• To create the carrot:
  • Trim the bottom of the two triangle bags so you’ll be able to make a sharper base once turned right-side out.
  • Turn the carrot lining/bag right-side out. Don’t worry about making the sharp point at the bottom, as you’ll be turning it inside out again in a few moments.

• • Place the lining inside the exterior bag, right sides together. Slip the leaves between the two layers so that the open/raw edge is aligned with the other raw edges. Sew ¼” from the top, leaving a 2” gap.
  • Turn inside out, pulling the leaves through.

• • Turn the raw edges (from the 2” gap) in and pin. Sew 1/8” from the top to both close the gap and secure the top of the bag.
  • Sew a second line of stitches ½” below the first (or larger depending on how large your button hole is). Your button hole should be nested between these two lines.
  • Thread a ribbon onto a safety pin and move through. Fill with your favorite Easter candy, tie, and enjoy!

Love these carrot treat bags, and want to make others? Check out our book: Holiday Gift Bags for three other designs!

Just for fun…this post links up at these great Catholic and quilt sites!