Gift Bags for Hanukkah

Fill the gift bags with chocolate
coins and other small tokens.

• Matboard scraps (available at framing shops or crafts stores)
• Crafts knife
• Thick white crafts glue
• Scrap of 18-gauge copper wire
• Rayon or rayon/acetate velvet (do not use washable polyester, crushed, stretchable, or cotton velvet)
• Chalk or fabric marker
• Misting bottle
• 1 yard of cord or ribbon

1. Download the free patterns for this project. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)

Step 2

2. To make the embossing template, enlarge the patterns to the desired size. Transfer the designs to matboard and cut out the pieces with a crafts knife. Cut a backing piece from matboard and transfer the design pieces to the backing board. Glue the pieces in place and let the glue dry overnight. For the spiral, coil the wire as shown and glue it to a backing board. Dilute the glue with water and brush it over the embossing template to create a smooth surface.

3. Mark an 11x5-inch-wide rectangle on the velvet with chalk or a fabric marker. Fold the fabric in half crosswise to make a 5-1/2x5-inch rectangle. Mark the fold line but do not crease it.

4. To emboss the fabric, place the template face up on an ironing board. If your ironing board is heavily padded, place a board over it so the surface is firm. Place the velvet, fuzzy side down, on top of the template, centering the design on one half of the fabric rectangle and positioning the top of the design toward the short end of the rectangle. Lightly mist the wrong side of the fabric with water.

Step 6

5. With the iron set on high and no steam, place the iron over the design. Avoid placing the iron's vent holes over the design. Do not slide the iron. Leave it in place for 20 to 30 seconds, applying slight pressure.

6. Remove the iron and carefully peel back one corner of the fabric to check the design. If the motif does not appear flat and shiny, lower the fabric back over the template and press again. Remove the velvet from the template and allow it to cool.

7. To assemble the bag, cut out the 11x5-inch rectangle. If the embossed pattern is not centered on one half of the fabric, adjust the cutting lines. Make 3/8-inch casings in the top (short) edges. Fold the bag in half, right sides facing. Sew from the bottom of the casing lines to the bottom of the bag along each side using 3/8-inch seam allowances.

8. Cut the cording in half. Thread one cord through one casing, fold it back on itself, and go back through the other casing. Knot the ends. Repeat for the other cord, going in the opposite direction. Turn the bag right side out. Fill with chocolate coins (gelt) or other small gifts.

NOTE: Star and dreidel are full size. Reverse the dreidel pattern to transfer to matboard so the stamp is a mirror image of the finished design.