I had absolutely no plans to make any thing for Christmas so I am somewhat flummoxed about quite how I’ve ended up making so much! None of it was planned but ideas descend and then I’m away.
First off was the Christmas cushion sew along on IG led by Nicky of Mrs Sew and Sow and Helen of Archie the Wonder Dog. I did manage one cushion….
… but one cushion was a complete fail
And in an attempt to find it a home I made a large drawstring bag…
Pleased with this and then armed with scraps I made a couple more …..
and then the Santa sack obsession settled in. In total I think there are now 8.
What fed this obsession was the peace of mind containment gives. In our household as presents get wrapped they are left under the Christmas tree usually in Christmas themed gift bags. But bags fall over, presents spill out and go astray. Prying hands delve inside to count, feel and guess what’s inside. I am always fearful of missing presents or the wrong ones ending up with the wrong family member. But with draw string bags presents should be safely secured from inquisitive eyes and hands or parcels falling out. That’s the theory! The only problem was I needed quite a few.
They are a great stash and scrap buster. I used the lined drawstring bag tutorial from In Colour Order by Jeni Baker. To give them a bit of heft I lined them with scrap red flannel I had left over from a number of quilts I’d made. I made my bags a fair bit bigger at 16 – 20″ square for the base section and collars around 5″. We are not a one present per person family!
Then of course they need labels….. with a bit of free motion quilting on Yarn Dyed Linen they look a bit homespun but at least it’s clear whose is whose.
Now it’s just a question of sorting through presents and wrapping them. With these bags to fill I’m hoping it will go with a swing until I realise that someone is looking a bit thin and I’m dashing out getting more stuff!!!
Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts
The Lilac Cat 
Your cushion cover is so cute! I really love all your gift bags too!
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Those are awesome bags!!!
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I was a participant in the Christmas Cushion along – Helen’s joint host was Lynz really! Love the robin cushion and those classy bags! Great (unintentional) Christmas makes. Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday
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Love the robin and love the sacks. It makes so much sense to read why you are using them. I was always a person who put presents under the tree on Christmas Eve and then children came along. They put under as they wrap and things do get forgotten or mislaid – this is a really great way of keeping everything together ….. although I haven’t time this year for a family set!
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