Reusable Fabric Purim Bags!

On Purim, a Jew is commanded to give a gift of two different types of ready-to-eat foods that would require separate blessings before eating to his/her friend. This is called "Mishloach Manot" and generally, Jews who are able, are more generous in their gifts than the required.  Jews have been very creative in wrapping these gifts and they can come in simple paper bags, to those glossy gift bags, to Chinese take-out doggy-bags, to attractively-wrapped baskets, to professionally-wrapped gift containers.

Well, for this year, I've decided to reuse scraps of fabric from my stash to make simple recyclable bags. I didn't spend any money on gift bags.  I also reuse leftover ribbons from last year.  The bag that I made is truly simple, it is a 12"x8" drawstring bag, that resembles a mini laundry bag.

Here are the steps illustrated in pictures.

Step 1:  Cut out a rectangular piece of fabric measuring 16"x12".  Cut out a strip of ribbon about 28" long. With the wrong side of fabric facing you, fold over the right-side of fabric towards you at the top edge to encase the width of the ribbon plus seam width (1/4", or 3/8" or whatever you prefer!).  Leave the ribbon inside the fold and hold the flap with pins. See Picture 1. Start sewing across the fold at the edge.

Step 2:  Picture 2 shows the sewed edge.  If your fabric frays, like mine above, I use a pinking shears to cut the edge to reduce fraying.  A pinking shears has zig-zag edges.

Step 3:  Fold the fabric in half so that the 16" length becomes 8".  See picture 4.  Then sew alongside the 12" width from below the ribbon to the bottom and then sew across the bottom edge.  

Step 4: Turn-over your fabric to see your final product.  See picture 5.

Stuff your bag with Purim goodies. Pull the drawstring ribbon tightly to close the bag and tie a lovely bow or knot.  Make a few more bags, stuff them, and you are ready to deliver them on Purim Day.  This year, Purim falls Wednesday evening, March 7, 2012, and lasts until Thursday nightfall.  For Jerusalemites, Purim is celebrated on Friday March 9, 2012 just like the Persian Jews in Shushan, as described in the Book of Esther.

Purim Sameach!