This Christmas tree gift bag sewing pattern turns a few scraps of fabric into a lined drawstring bag shaped like a little fir tree, finished with a small stuffed trunk at the base. Pop a present inside, pull the cord and tie a bow, and the wrapping becomes part of the gift. It's a quick, beginner friendly project you can sew by hand or on a machine, and it comes as an instant download PDF with illustrated instructions and a video tutorial.
Fabric gift bags can be used again year after year, which makes them a lovely swap for the wrapping paper that ends up in the recycling every Boxing Day.
Five sizes of drawstring gift bag
Finished height and width of each bag:
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XS: 18 x 17cm (7 x 6 3/4in). Ideal for jewellery, a gift card or a few chocolates.
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Small: 24 x 23cm (9 1/2 x 9in)
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Medium: 30 x 29cm (11 3/4 x 11 1/2in)
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Large: 38 x 38cm (15 x 15in)
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XL: 44.5 x 44cm (17 1/2 x 17 1/4in). Room for a jumper, a book or a bundle of smaller treats.
Making a set in graduated sizes looks lovely lined up under the tree, and it means you always have the right bag to hand.
What's included
- A layered PDF sewing pattern with all five sizes, so you can print just the one you need
- Home printing on A4 or US Letter, plus an A0 copy shop file
- Illustrated step by step instructions
- A video tutorial on the House of Kimono YouTube channel
Hand sewing or machine sewing
This pattern works brilliantly both ways. The seams are short and simple, so hand stitching one is a relaxing evening project, and on a machine you can make a whole batch in an afternoon. The bag is fully lined, which hides every raw edge and gives it a lovely soft, professional finish inside.
Fabric and notions
Main and lining fabric
- XS: 20cm (8in)
- Small and Medium: 30cm (12in)
- Large and XL: 40cm (16in)
Trunk fabric
- XS and Small: 10cm (4in)
- Medium and Large: 15cm (6in)
- XL: 20cm (8in)
Drawstring length
- XS: 48cm (19in)
- Small: 58cm (23in)
- Medium: 65cm (25 1/2in)
- Large: 74cm (29in)
- XL: 82cm (32 1/4in)
The trunk only needs 5 to 10g of stuffing, whichever size you make. Hollow fibre fill or any polyester toy stuffing is fine.
Choosing fabric for a Christmas gift bag
Quilting cottons are the easiest to sew and come in endless prints. A non Christmas print can look really chic, and it means the bag can be reused for birthdays too. My Medium sample uses a Japanese print cotton with gold foil details on the front and plain red cotton for the back and trunk.
Tartan and plaid feel classic and cosy. Pair them with a neutral linen trunk for that warm, rustic look in the main photos.
Drawstrings can be almost anything: cord, string, ribbon, rope or seam tape. I used 5mm (1/4in) seam tape. Jute cord suits a linen tree beautifully, and leftover selvedges plaited together make a gorgeous zero waste tie.
A great beginner sewing project
There are no zips, buttons or tricky fastenings, and the instructions walk you through every step with clear drawings. If you're new to sewing, this is a really satisfying first project, and the bags are small enough to use up your scrap basket. They also make a thoughtful handmade gift on their own, filled with sweets or a little treat.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a physical pattern?
No, it's a digital PDF. You'll get your download link straight after checkout and nothing is posted.
What paper sizes can I print on?
A4 and US Letter for home printers, or A0 if you'd like to use a print shop.
Can I make these as a beginner?
Yes. It's one of the simplest patterns in the shop, and the video tutorial shows every stage.
Happy sewing, and do send me a message if you have any questions.
Alex x
