DIY Halloween Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

Make an easy DIY Tote bag for your Halloween candy with this easy to follow, Halloween Trick or Treat Bag tutorial.

Did you know September is National Sewing Month? I haven’t managed to get many projects done- it’s been a busy month, but I hope to get going on a few projects during theses last few days of September. Do you have any fun projects lined up?

My daughter needed a new Trick or Treat bag and I had this cute Halloween fabric from Joann’s just begging to be made into something new. This particular style of tote bag is super simple to make and it really comes together in a short amount of time! (Which is good, because I still need to make one more- in a boy theme. Maybe with a skull and crossbones.)

I can totally see the benefits of having a cutting machine for projects like this. It didn’t take that long to hand cut the letters out, but it certainly, would have made it easier. I think I’ll be adding one to my Christmas wish list. (If you have one, I would love to know which machine you think I should get- because I know nothing about them!)

**Update – I have since bought a Silhouette Cameo and have really enjoyed using it! (See a few of my projects here.)

This bag is really cute in person. Though for the next one, I think I’ll make the letters bigger and possibly sew a solid colored background behind them…

To make this Halloween Trick or Treat Bag Tutorial

You need:

Fabric
Pellon EZ Steam II
Steam iron
Basic Sewing supplies

Step 1: Cut your fabric pieces:

Cut 2 fabric pieces 31.5 inches by 14 inches and 2 fabric pieces 4 inches by 22 inches. If possible, (depending on if your fabric has nap or a one way design) cut the bag pieces according to the layout below. Having a bit of stretch around the top of the bag will add a bit of ease and helps when aligning the inner lining and outside pieces of the bag.

Step 2: Assemble the handles.

(I wanted my treat bag handles to have the orange fabric on one side and the black on the other, so I pieced together 2 2.25 inch strips.)

Fold the bag handle strip as shown below:

Step 3: Assemble the bag.

Fold the lining in half, right sides together (so the 14 inch long pieces meet at the top.) Sew up the sides, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Repeat for the outside fabric.

Fold the bottom ends of the lining fabric together and spread the sides out evenly as shown:

Measure 1 1/2 inch from the point and mark this line.

Sew along the mark you made and trim. Repeat on the opposite side and on both sides of the outer bag piece.

Fold the top of the lining over 1 inch and press. Repeat for the outer bag piece.

Turn the lining wrong side out and the outside of the bag, right side out. Slip the lining into the outer bag, lining up the top edges.

Line up the tops and pin in place.

Slip the handles in between the lining and outer bag about 1 inch. Pin in place.

Top stitch around the top of the bag, about 1/8 inch from the edge.

Add a few extra stitches to the handle of the bag to secure the strap.

Step 4: Adding the letters.

Create your message either by hand or on the pc, inverting the letters, You can trace them directly onto the back of the ez steam, following the directions on the package. (I used a glue stick and attached the letters to the back.)

Cut out the letters and apply to the bag. (Follow the package directions for permanent adhesion.) I really liked how the EZ Steam was sticky, like a sticker, So the letters stayed in place, but were still re-positional.