Creating your toy sack

• How to make a Christmas toy sack
• What you'll need
• Creating your toy sack

Step 1) Cut 8 35cm squares, 4 in striped fabric and 4 in floral fabric. For the facing, cut a 125cm by 35cm strip of striped fabric.

Step 2) For the front of the sack, right sides facing and matching raw edges, join one striped square to one floral square. Press open seam allowance, taking a 2.5cm seam.

Repeat with two more squares, then join the two pairs together to form a square (see main illustration). Press open seam allowances. Repeat to join the remaining four squares to form the back of the sack.

Step 3) Right sides facing and matching raw edges, stitch the front and back pieces together around three edges. Trim across the corners and press open seam allowances.

Step 4) To hem the facing strip, turn under 1cm then 1.5cm along one long edge and stitch. Fold in half widthways and stitch across short edges taking a 2.5cm seam. Trim and press open seam allowances.

Step 5) Right sides facing, matching raw edges and aligning the seam of the facing with one side seam of the sack, tack the facing in place around the top edge of the sack (see illustration below). Stitch taking a 2.5cm seam and remove tacking. Trim, press open seam allowances and turn through.

Step 6) Attach the lower edge of the facing at each point where it meets a sack side seam by working a few slip stitches.

Step 5: Stitch the facing into place

Illustrations by Michael A Hill.

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Chosen by Country Homes & Gardens