Creative Tuesday ~ DIY: Create-a-Face, Jack O’ Lantern Treat Bag & Quiet Toy

{Post courtesy of Caroline, a TerraSavvy contributor who also creates on her blog, Salsa Pie.}

The other day I had this idea about making a Jack O’ Lantern Quiet Toy. What I came up with was this: a Trick-Or-Treating bag that doubles as a quiet toy. This project is a good way to give the little ones an activity while you are checking and sorting candy.

My oldest daughter has a peanut allergy, so I always have to empty out her bag as soon as we get home and read the labels on the candy. This bag will give her something fun to do during that time and long after the treats are eaten!

Want to make one with me too? Yay!

Here’s How:

DIY Create-A-Face Jack O’ Lantern Bag

Ages 2 and older

You will Need:

One Quilting Fabric Quarter

Felt for Lining

Felt for Face Shapes

Matching Thread

Sewing Machine

Fabric Paint

Freezer Paper

Paintbrush

Scissors

Box-cutter/X-Acto knife (both optional)

Step 1:

The first thing you want to do is paint on the pumpkin outline. Can you draw the shape of a pumpkin? Yes? Then you can totally do this! Fold your fabric quarter in half lengthwise to form a rectangle and then fold over one more time. Use that area–that smaller rectangle–as the surface for your pumpkin template. Cut a piece of freezer paper to size, draw on the shape of a pumpkin using double lines like the pumpkin pictured here. Imagine, you will be removing this line to form the outline.

Step 2:

Once you draw the pumpkin outline, use a your box-cutter or scissors to remove the outline then replace the inside of the pumpkin.

Step 3

Fold the fabric lengthwise and then cut down the center to form two long rectangles. Iron on your template to the bottom portion of the front side of one of the rectangles. Using your dry setting, iron the pumpkin template (waxy side down on the fabric) making sure you press all the edges firmly.

Step 4

Using black fabric paint, paint your template design.

Step 5

Remove the template and allow the design to dry.

Step 6

Measure two pieces of felt and cut out in the same size as the two fabric rectangles.

Step 7

Face the rectangle fabric face to face (frontside to frontside) and back each piece with felt.

Step 8

Hem the opening edge of both pieces of fabric backed with felt.

Step 9

Once you have hemmed the opening edge of both pieces, lay the the pieces of fabric face to face.

Step 10

Sew the bag all the way around, obviously leaving the hemmed opening, open.

Step 11

Pin ribbon (to form the handles ) on each side then sew the ribbon onto each side of the bag (on the inside fold of each bag).

Step 12

Flip the bag right side out and you’re done!

Step 13

To form the felt face features (eyes, nose, mouth) of the Jack O’ Lantern, cut out pieces of felt. You can simply cut out pieces of felt and use them as they are or double the felt and sew together like I did. I left the orange thread in my sewing machine and switched to a zig-zag stitch to make a cute outline on each shape.