How to Make a Valentine Treat Bag

Since Valentine’s day is just around the corner, I thought it is the perfect time for me to share with you a tutorial on how to make some Valentine’s Day treat bags. Kids will enjoy passing them out to their classmates, teammates, teacher, and friends. 

These fabric Valentine's goodie bags or treat bags are super-fast and super easy.

We have many more free Valentine's Day craft ideas that are popular for all ages.  On our  Valentine kids crafts page, you will find projects to keep your child entertained for hours.  At the end of this article are links to some of our popular Valentine's Day projects.  If you need more decorating ideas,  type "valentine" in the search box on our home page.

Learn how to make treat bags by watching our video or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

how to make the goodie bag

STEP 1: CUT FABRIC AND RIBBON

For the fabric, you can choose any cotton fabric - Valentine's print or muslin.  Cut a 5" x 15" rectangular piece of fabric for the chosen fabric.  From 3/8" wide ribbon that complements the fabric, cut a piece 15" long.  (Note:  You could use 1/4" wide ribbon also.)

STEP 2: ZIGZAG STITCH

To help prevent the inside side seams from fraying, with the sewing machine zigzag stitch the two long sides.

STEP 3: TOP EDGES

At your ironing surface, turn under the two short sides 3/8 of an inch.  You are folding these short sides to the wrong side so wrong sides are together.

STEP 4: FOLD FABRIC

Fold the fabrics in half with pretty sides together.  The piece should now measure 5 inches by a little less than 7 inches.

STEP 5: SEW SIDE SEAMS

At the sewing machine, with a straight stitch sew the two long sides of the bag using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

STEP 6: STITCH SEAMS FLAT

This drawing string bag is made with a casing where the ribbon will be inserted.  From personal experience, sometimes when weaving the ribbon through the casing it hard to get past the seam allowances.  The pin gets stuck under the seam allowances.

To avoid this, I hand baste the seam allowances flat from the top edge down 3 1/4 inches.  To do this, finger press the seam open and with a needle and thread quickly baste the seam flat by sewing close to the edge of the seam.

These basting stitches can be removed quickly and easily after the valentine treat bag is completely sewn together.

STEP 7: MAKING CASING

First, turn the top edge down 1 1/2 inches.  This will be with the wrong sides together.  Pin the fold in place and press the fold flat.

Turn the goodie bag right side out being careful that the pins do not come out.  By turning it right side out at this point, it will be easier to sew.

At the sewing machine use a straight stitch and sew close to the inside fold.

Last sew another row of stitches, again using a straight stitch, 1 inch from the top fold.

STEP 8: INSERTING RIBBON

Right now the ribbon cannot be inserted into the casing. You need an opening.  With a seam ripper, carefully open the sewn stitches on one side seam between the two rows of stitches.

To insert the ribbon into the casing, there are many tools you can use.  Since this is a small project, my go-to method is with a safety pin.  Attach a safety pin to the end of the ribbon, insert the safety pin into the casing gap at the side seam and push the safety pin all the way around the casing until it emerges out of the gap.   

STEP 9: FINISHING

To finish the goodie bag, even up the ribbon ends, roll the ends and insert the ribbon ends into the hold of a pony bead.

Again, make the ribbon ends even and tie an overhand knot.

Viola!  The Valentine treat bag is complete.  

The Valentine's goodie bag is ready to fill with treats.  It is the perfect size to hold jelly beans, chocolates, candy conversation hearts or other small special treats.  You can even tuck some pencils or a gift card inside.

Later, after the bag is empty, the kid can use the drawstring bag to store little treasures like marbles, stones, gems, beads and lots of other small items.

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Crafting!

Here are a few popular free Valentine's craft ideas

• Valentine's Decoupage Frame
• Valentine's Heart Box Tutorial
• DIY Loop Yarn Heart Pillow
• Valentine's Hair Scrunchie
• Crocheted Rose Heart Door Hanger Tutorial
• Fleece Heart Shaped Pillow - This is not the typical knotted fleece pillow. It's has a braided edge.