Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

DIY Whimsical Wedding Favor Bags

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Colorful, hand-stamped cotton muslin bags filled with goodies are the perfect way to treat your wedding guests to some whimsical fun!  Stateline Bag Co. graciously contributed some of tbeir drawstring bags to a few of the editors here at Craft Gossip, and I was delighted to receive some samples.  And the best news? Stateline is sponsoring a giveaway of these bags right here at Craft Gossip! One reader will receive 100 of the 6 x 8 drawstring cotton bags! The giveaway ends September 11th, so be sure to visit this post for all the details! Best wishes to all the entrants!

 In the meantime, here’s a quick and easy tutorial for favors that will keep kids busy and provide a fun ice breaker for your adult wedding guests: hand-stamped bags filled with crayons and a coloring journal!

 To make the bags you will need:

6 X 8 100% cotton muslin bags from Stateline Bag Co.

Box of Crayons

Blank coloring journal

Black Ink {Ranger Archival Ink, Staz-On or other fabric-friendly ink}

Banner Stamp {Hobby Lobby}

Sentiment Stamp: “Life is about using the whole box of crayons” {Hobby Lobby}

Fabric-friendly markers {I used Pentel Arts Color Pens}

Scrap cardstock {same size as bag} This will be inserted inside the muslin bag to prevent the ink from bleeding through when you stamp and color the images.

 

Stamp the front of the bag with the banner stamp. Allow to dry {or use a heat tool to speed the process}

Use fabric-fabric-friendly markers to color in the banner pieces. You may wish to color the images, allow to dry, and then add another layer of color for the best coverage.

Scribble stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue crayons as shown.

Stamp the sentiment on top of the crayon stripes

Fill the bag with a box of crayons and a coloring book or journal and let the fun begin!

 

Quick Tip: I made the same favor bag in the smaller 4 x 6 size and replaced the drawstring with pretty 1/4″ silk ribbon from May Arts. To easily replace the string,  attach the end of the ribbon to the end of one side of the drawstring using masking tape. Gently pull the other end of the drawstring to thread the ribbon through the channel. Snip off the taped end and you have a custom tie for your favor bags!

Many thanks to Stateline Bag Co. for sponsoring this post and for the giveaway! Don’t forget to enter before September 11th!

 

 

Have you read?

The Pancake Market Bag – Free Crochet Pattern

Looking for a lightweight, stylish, and oh-so-practical tote to take with you everywhere this season? The Pancake Crochet Market Bag might just become your go-to favorite. Whether you’re heading to the farmers market to grab some fresh produce, packing snacks and sunscreen for a relaxed summer stroll, or dashing out the door for a quick last-minute errand, this bag is ready to tag along.

It’s surprisingly roomy—big enough to carry all your essentials (and then some!)—yet it folds up small enough to tuck into your car or coat closet without fuss. The openwork stitch gives it a breathable, airy texture that’s super satisfying to crochet and even more delightful to carry. Plus, it’s endlessly reusable and eco-friendly, so you can ditch the plastic and feel great about your handiwork.

I stitched mine up using a warm mustard cotton I had on hand (a little stash buster win!), but honestly, this pattern would look beautiful in just about any color. Try a bold berry for a pop of personality, a classic cream for a minimalist vibe, or even stripes if you’re feeling playful. Once you’ve made one… fair warning: you’ll probably want to make more!

Let’s dive into the pattern!

 What You’ll Need:

 Finished Measurements:

  • Approximately 15” wide x 13” tall (not including handles) 

 Stitch Abbreviations (US terms):

  • ch – chain 
  • sc – single crochet 
  • dc – double crochet 
  • sl st – slip stitch 
  • st(s) – stitch(es) 
  • sk – skip 
  • rep – repeat 

 Special Notes:

  • The base is worked in joined rounds. 
  • The body of the bag is stitched in the round, but you won’t be joining after each round—just keep going in a spiral and use a stitch marker to track the first stitch. 
  • The handles are created by chaining across stitches, then the final edge is reinforced. 

 Let’s Crochet the Base:

Round 1: Begin with a magic circle, ch 1. Work 8 sc into the ring. Pull it tight and join to the first sc with a sl st. (8 sts)
 Round 2: Ch 1, make 2 sc in each st around. Join. (16 sts)
 Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first, 2 sc in next—repeat from * to * around. Join. (24 sts)
 Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next—repeat around. Join. (32 sts)
 Round 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3, 2 sc in next—repeat. Join. (40 sts)
 Keep increasing in this manner, adding one more sc between increases each round until you reach 80 sts (about Round 9).

 Build the Bag Body:

Now switch to working in continuous rounds.

Rounds 10–13: sc in each st around. (80 sts)
 Round 14: [dc in next, ch 1, sk 1]—repeat around. (approx. 80 sts depending on exact starting point)
 Round 15: dc in ch-space, ch 1—repeat.
 Rounds 16–25: Repeat Round 15.

Alternate a few more rounds of single crochet with rounds of [dc, ch 1] to build height and texture. Keep going until the bag measures about 12–13” tall from the center of the base.

 Add the Handles:

Next Round (handle setup):

  • sc in next 12 sts 
  • ch 30 (for handle), sk 15 sts 
  • sc in next 25 sts 
  • ch 30, sk 15 sts 
  • sc to end of round. 

Final Round: sc around, placing 1 sc in each sc and 1 sc in each ch across the handle chains. This gives the straps some strength and a nice finish.

Fasten off and weave in all ends. Give your bag a little stretch or light steam block if needed.

 Tips:

  • Cotton yarn gives the bag structure and durability. 
  • You can easily size up the bag by adding more rounds to the base before beginning the body. 
  • Try using multicolor yarn for a fun summer vibe.