This sparkly trick or treat bag is a sweet girlie spin on the holiday that is rife with ghoulish images. What little girl doesn’t love feminine Minnie Mouse, on a broom no less, wearing a coral colored witch’s hat? And do you know anybody who doesn’t love candy corn?
This project began with a basic black tote 14″ x 14″. The side and bottom seams were opened first and then the Trick or Treat text was embroidered.
Since the embroidery unit was still attached, the next step was to hoop up orange felt and embroider Minnie as she sails past the moon. The design was inserted into one of the built-in frames on my Quattro. The excess felt was cut away near the black satin stitching and the piece was put aside.
I don’t know how obvious it is, but I meant for this shield shape to suggest a belt buckle.
After the embroidery was complete, a soap line (I use a sliver of bar soap) was drawn 5 1/2″ below the top and the bag was sewn backup.
The construction was simple–the two skirts were individually seamed at the side then gathered together. The gathers were draw up to fit the 28″ circumference of the bag and the raw gathered edge was sewn to the soap line.
For the “belt,” striped grosgrain ribbon was stitched to the orange burlap-like ribbon. This was sewn over the raw edges of the gathered skirts. Then the triangular buckle was stitched in place with monofilament thread.
The ribbon and buttons on the straps were, for me, the finishing touches. This little bag looks like a child’s dress. But I doubt any little trick or treater will make that connection. Sometimes, the fun is just for the creator.
Of course, I love fabric and find plenty of fun there. With so many fun and charming Halloween prints today, inspiration comes easily. The candy corn skirt fabric is all glittery, like sugar has been sprinkled on it. The black under skirt has tiny metallic dots which seemed a good companion to the candy corn.
I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween.  My lack of interest was, in part, due to the fact that both of my children have October birthdays. Each child always had 2 birthday parties, one for all their friends and one for our extended family. So by the time October 31 rolled around, those four parties had exhausted all of my creative energy.
But I’m over it now. Ryan and Rebecca still have October birthdays, but the celebrations require a lot less of my time now. So I am enjoying the delight and silliness that my grandchildren exude this time of year and actually have sewn a few Halloween projects. Including this treat bag.
Have you done any Halloween sewing?
