Strawberry Bag Tutorial

I hope you all enjoy this easy peasy tutorial, any queries please let me know, Drum roll please...

Delve into your scraps and find two contrasting fabrics measuring about 9" (it really doesn't matter what size, but we will just go with this for the sake of this tutorial) 

Lay the squares right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam around the square remembering to leave a gap to turn it through...

Next clip the corners and turn the square so the right sides are facing out, then press flat...

Now you can either slip stitch the opening closed by hand or stitch it closed by machine(as close as you can to the edge).  Then fold the corners into the middle, I have measured 4" but once again it really doesn't matter too much. I like to press them flat but you can just pin it in place instead...

Now stitch the folds down leaving  a casing wide enough to thread some thin cord...

Stitch all four corners and trim threads.  You are almost there! Now you will need to cut two lengths of thin cord, (to show how to thread the bags I have used more cord than necessary, but once you understand the concept you can use less cord it just might be a teensie weensie bit trickier)  Ok now tie one end onto a small safety pin...

Pull the thread through all four casing triangles so it looks like this...

Now do the same with the second piece of cord only start threading at the opposite side so they look like this...

Hmm not the best photo but I hope you can all see  the thread ends. Ok knot the two ends together on each side, flip the square(maybe I should say octagon now) over, and pull the strings and...

have a little fiddle and a wriggle and Ta Da...

Perhaps you can see why I call it a strawberry bag(for want of a better name) Made in Christmas fabrics, I fill them with Mackintosh Lollies, or maybe hair ties for a girl, or marbles for a boy? and tie them on the Christmas tree, and each guest gets to take one home.  I have used them to wrap a nice soap for a friend or a smelly candle to use in my clothes drawers...

Or you could try making a casserole carrier...

I made this one out of two fat quarters and some batting(try insulbrite), it will hold a small casserole dish, though next time I think I will try quilting it first. If you have any other ideas, please let me know.

Have fun!