I've entered this is the Most Wanted Christmas DIY Challenge http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/
I’ve had quite a few questions about making sweetie bags recentley (Hark at me, I sound like an Agony Aunt!) I appreciate that not everyone has Big Shots/Cuttlebugs etc. or sets of Nestabilities, so I have put together a very simple tutorial, without using any fancy equipment to show that such stuff is not always necessary.
![sweetbag tutorial 7 sweetbag tutorial 7](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHHbgbNYI/AAAAAAAAJy4/00CECZjxWmk/sweetbagtutorial7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
I think its best to start with the cello bags - get the size you want and make your toppers to fit them (much easier that making a topper and then searching for a bag to fit it).
![sweetbag tutorial 8 sweetbag tutorial 8](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHIaj27cI/AAAAAAAAJGY/pYolQVXaOJ0/sweetbag%20tutorial%208_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
To fit my chosen bag size (HobbyCraft’s own make 76mm x 191mm) and I have cut a rectangle a little wider than the bags. ….. my apologies, I still measure in inches!!
![sweetbag tutorial 9 sweetbag tutorial 9](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHJo_jFjI/AAAAAAAAJGg/bUJjFopXWO8/sweetbag%20tutorial%209_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Find the centre of the rectangle and mark each end lightly with pencil.
![sweetbag tutorial 10 sweetbag tutorial 10](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHLA5G8kI/AAAAAAAAJGo/S8wE1C2iztA/sweetbag%20tutorial%2010_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Keep the ruler in position and score from one end to the other with the end of a pair of scissors
![sweetbag 11 sweetbag 11](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHNExRnVI/AAAAAAAAJGw/U9pN_JrmuaY/sweetbag%2011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
When scored, fold the topper in half
![sweetbag 12 sweetbag 12](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHOVDzvII/AAAAAAAAJG4/TqWNhmAJ28w/sweetbag%2012_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
If you want a fancy shape, hold the topper together and cut both edges off the corners of one side.
![sweetbag 13 sweetbag 13](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHPUSrxCI/AAAAAAAAJHA/2rBzScjjdZg/sweetbag%2013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Take one of the cut off corners and put it on the opposite side of the topper and use as a template to make sure both sides are exactly the same
![sweetbag 14 sweetbag 14](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHQSo4g0I/AAAAAAAAJHI/a8cW206qgOI/sweetbag%2014_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The topper should now look like this ....
![sweetbag 15 sweetbag 15](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHRDcylbI/AAAAAAAAJHQ/IJdNAx_DsCs/sweetbag%2015_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Now for the circle embellishment - find two circles one smaller than the other .... I have used the metal top of this small jam pot for the outer circle and the top of the glass jar as the inner circle. Cut out the circles in two different colours. I’ve been a bit fancy and cut a bit of sky out to fit as well.
![sweetbag 16 sweetbag 16](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHTLXAv6I/AAAAAAAAJHY/O8l_FSNxqUM/sweetbag%2016_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Put some little lines using a fine black pen round the edge of both circles. Then add whatever embellishment you fancy. I have used snowman stickers from Accessorize (£1.75 per pack) on mine.
![sweetbag 17 sweetbag 17](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHUfKXQDI/AAAAAAAAJHg/uyJPzvVwg9I/sweetbag%2017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Now to put it all together …… put some lines round the topper to match the decorated circle
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TLnkbcXxQoI/AAAAAAAAI9c/s4FdEbwd7Nc/Picture673_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Cut down the cello bag to a length you are happy with.
![sweetbag tutorial 2 sweetbag tutorial 2](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHVTyhVBI/AAAAAAAAJHo/PXKp8yaOr6g/sweetbag%20tutorial%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Open up the topper and put double sided tape on each side
![sweetbag tutorial 3 sweetbag tutorial 3](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHW9jyu6I/AAAAAAAAJHw/rL9-ujFEtis/sweetbag%20tutorial%203_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Tape tape off one side, and lay the cello bag on top
![sweetbag tutorial 4 sweetbag tutorial 4](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHX9jSkRI/AAAAAAAAJH4/pjK4UFSWUE8/sweetbag%20tutorial%204_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Bring the other side of the topper down, press down and seal...... nearly finished .....
![sweetbag tutorial 5 sweetbag tutorial 5](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHZKTjhBI/AAAAAAAAJIA/58joobODOGM/sweetbag%20tutorial%205_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Stick the decorated circle in position, write a greeting and add a few small stickers/stars etc. and fiddle and twiddle till you are happy
![sweetbag tutorial 6 sweetbag tutorial 6](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_XoSZgECZC_k/TMLHag-F4uI/AAAAAAAAJII/fB3NZ9b9T4Y/sweetbag%20tutorial%206_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800)
That's all there is to it! Phew !!!! And yes …… my desk could do with a good clean!
Wow. Such a useful and very well done tutorial Helen :-) All so clever, the tip on getting the corners both the same, sheer genius and yet so simple, Thank you for taking the time to do this :-)
ReplyDeleteCarole x
So Cute! They look so great too
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Hope you got your mag sorted x
ReplyDeleteThese are soo cute! a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen your bags up close when Monkey kindly sent some sweeties to my girls, I can vouch for how fabby these look in real life too. Thanks for the tips - you make it all look so simple but it's SO effective
ReplyDelete