DIY Fabric Gift Bags: A Reusable, Eco-Friendly Way to Wrap Gifts

Why Fabric Gift Bags Are a Smart Choice

Fabric gift bags are one of those simple sewing projects that quietly do a lot of good. They save money, reduce waste, and add a handmade touch that paper wrapping just can’t match. Once sewn, they can be reused year after year—by you or by the lucky recipient.

They’re also incredibly versatile. Fabric gift bags work for holidays, birthdays, baby showers, weddings, and even everyday gifting. Change the fabric, and you instantly change the mood.

What Fabric Works Best

You don’t need anything fancy to make beautiful gift bags.

Great fabric choices include:

Quilting cotton

Cotton blends

Linen or linen blends

Light denim or chambray

Holiday prints or solid colors

Scrap fabric works perfectly here, which makes this project ideal for using up leftovers from larger sewing projects.

Basic DIY Fabric Gift Bag Instructions

This project is beginner-friendly and requires only basic sewing skills.

You’ll need:

Two fabric rectangles (same size)

Matching thread

Ribbon, twill tape, or fabric ties

Safety pin (for drawstring)

Simple steps:

Place fabric pieces right sides together.

Sew around the sides and bottom, leaving a small opening near the top for the drawstring.

Fold the top edge down to create a casing and stitch in place.

Turn the bag right side out.

Thread ribbon or fabric ties through the casing.

Tie the ends—and you’re done.

That’s it. One evening of sewing can easily produce a whole stack of gift bags.

Size Ideas for Fabric Gift Bags

Small: Jewelry, gift cards, soaps

Medium: Books, candles, mugs

Large: Clothing, handmade items, toys

You can keep a few standard sizes on hand or customize each bag to fit the gift exactly.

Make Them Extra Special

Fabric gift bags are already special, but small details can elevate them even more:

Add a fabric tag with the recipient’s name

Use contrast ribbon for the drawstring

Stitch on a small applique or patch

Use seasonal fabrics for holidays

These little touches turn the wrapping into part of the gift.

Why This Is a Great Project to Sell or Gift

DIY fabric gift bags are practical, reusable, and always in demand. They make thoughtful handmade gifts on their own, work beautifully as product packaging for handmade sellers, and photograph well for online shops and social media.

They’re also fast to sew, easy to store, and inexpensive to make—making them a smart project for both personal use and small-scale selling.

Fabric gift bags are one of those rare sewing projects that check every box: useful, economical, eco-friendly, and genuinely enjoyable to make. Once you start using them, it’s hard to go back to disposable wrapping paper.

Do you need fabrics to sew your DIY Fabric Gift Bags? Shop my sewing shop for sewing fabric and more!