Featured Fabric: FreeSpirit Fabrics Vibrant Botanica by Kitty McCall

Pattern design by: Lindsay Conner

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

Looking for a quick and stylish sewing project? These wine bottle gift bags are the perfect choice! Whether you’re heading to a holiday party, bringing a hostess gift, or celebrating a housewarming, this project adds a handmade touch that’s sure to impress. Each bag is fully reversible, features upcycled leather handles (made from a thrifted purse!), and showcases the bold beauty of Vibrant Botanica fabric. Let’s get started!

Skills Learned: Machine sewing

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: 13.5” tall (18.5” tall with strap) x 3.5” wide x 3.5” deep (34.29cm x 8.89cm x 8.89cm)

Fabric Requirements:

1/2 yard (.64m) of two different fabric prints. I used:

• Version 1:
  - Island Blooms - Sunshine || SKU: PWKC009.SUNSHINE
  - Striped Horizon - Fresh Mint || SKU: PWKC012.FRESHMINT
• Version 2:
  - Flower Garden - Jungle || SKU: PWKC003.JUNGLE
  - Mini Daisies - Scarlet || SKU: PWKC011.SCARLET

1/2 yard (.64m) of fusible fleece

Materials:

Sewing machine

Scissors

Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat

Sewing clips and pins

Directions:

1. From both the outer and lining fabrics, cut a 12” x 16” rectangle. From the fusible fleece, cut 2 11.5” x 15.5” rectangles. Center the fusible fleece bumpy side down on the wrong side of the outer fabric. Repeat with the lining fabric. With a hot iron, follow the manufacturer's instructions to press the fusible fleece to both the outer and lining fabrics to adhere.

2. Fold the outer fabric, right sides together, in half widthwise so it measures 6” x 16”. Clip or pin along the edges of the 16” side and one 6” side. Sew along the clipped edges, leaving one 6” side open.

Repeat with the lining fabric.

3. On the outer fabric, use a ruler to measure and mark a rectangle that is 1.25” wide and 1.5” tall on each of the bottom corners (the ones along the 6” side you sewed). Cut out these rectangles with scissors. Repeat with the lining fabric.

4. On the outer fabric, use your finger to pinch together the two seams where you cut away the corners. Clip the flat sides together, making sure the seams are aligned. Repeat with the lining fabric.

5. On the outer fabric, sew along the clipped edges to box the corners of the pouch. Repeat with the lining fabric.

Here are my lining and outer pieces turned right side out.

7. Use a seam ripper to rip out the stitches from a 3” section in the center of the long side of the lining. Then:

• Turn the bag lining right side out.
• Turn the outer bag wrong side out.
• Slip the bag lining inside the outer bag (see photo above). Make sure to line up the seams of the outer and lining pieces. Clip the top raw edges in a few places to secure.

8. Cut 1 skinny leather strap 14” long from a thrifted purse. If you don’t have leather, feel free to sew your own fabric straps or use thick ribbon.

9. Insert the leather strap between the outer bag and bag lining layers, so that the cut ends poke through the top and the rest of the strap stays hidden inside. (See photo above.) Let the cut ends extend from the bag by 1/2”, making sure the strap isn’t twisted inside. If the seam line is 6 o’clock, I positioned the leather strap ends at 3 and 9 o’clock and clipped in place.

10. Stitch along the clipped edges, going slowly through the leather straps, about 1/2” from the edges. Stitch a second line along the straps for reinforcement (optional).

11. Pull the outer bag through the hole in the lining. Stitch the hole in the lining closed with a hand sewing needle and thread using a slip stitch.

12. Push the lining back inside the outer bag. Press the bag and topstitch all the way around 1/4” from the top rim.

The bag is actually reversible, so there is no longer any inner or outer bag! Because you added fusible fleece to both layers, they are both equally attractive when holding a wine bottle. You’ll love passing these out with wine bottles as gifts, so sew up a few for the holiday season!

To view the complete Vibrant Botanica collection, click here.