Handmade Holidays. . .Felt Wine Sleeve

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A few weeks ago I was browsing through a magazine and saw these cute wine felt gift bags.  I thought it was a great idea and decided to make my own.  I really like how they turned out! 

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If you would rather not sew and are interested in purchasing the original version I saw in the magazine, click here.

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Supplies:

- felt (if you use sheets from the craft store, you will need two per bag)

- button, or button cover kit and fabric scrap

- contrasting thread

- scissors or rotary cutter and straight edge

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Cut the following pieces:

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{Note that the pieces labeled 3" x 8" in the photo are actually 2-1/2" wide.  I tried that size first before deciding that 3" x 8" was the right size}

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Use a rotary cutter or scissors to cut pieces to size.

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For the 4" circle I found a mug that was 4" wide and traced it onto the felt.

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At this point, decide if you want to add a monogram or another decorative feature to your bag.  In my first version, I didn't add anything.  But in the other versions I did.  To add an monogram, print out a letter on your computer and trace on to fabric and cut out.  Stitch your letter to the bag or use Pellon Wonder Under and and iron on to one piece of the 6" x 8" felt.

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Next, pin the two 6" x 8" pieces together (RIGHT sides out; you want to see the seams) and sew along the two edges.

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Next, pin on the bottom and sew.

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Now your bag looks like this:

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Take the two 3" x 8" strips and pin together.  Sew along three sides.  You do not need to sew the fourth edge because you will be sewing that to the back of your sleeve.

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After sewing around three edges:

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Now you need to cut out the area that will fit through the top of the wine bottle.  The opening should be 2-1/2" long x 1-1/2" wide.  I used a roll of tape to trace the half circle on each end.  Start the half circle 2" from the top of the rectangle (the top is the edge that you didn't sew along).

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Cut out the area you just drew.

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And sew along the edges.

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Almost finished!

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Pin the rectangle to the back of your bag and sew.  Make sure to only sew to the back of the bag and not through both layers!

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{In the next version that I made, I sewed the rectangle on to the 6" x 8" piece of felt before I sewed the front and back together and it was much easier.  Does that make sense?}

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Use a fabric covered button kit to cover your button.  Put a wine bottle in the bag and determine where your button hole and button should be sewn.  Cut the button hole and sew edges on your sewing machine.  You could also use a button hole function on your machine but I thought it was easier to just sew with a straight stitch.  Sew button to bag.

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That's it!

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I ended up using Wonder Under to iron on a "n" to the front of the bag.

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Here are a few photos of the wine sleeves I made:

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Aren't these cute?  I think it's an easy way to dress up a bottle of wine.  And inexpensive too.  I think I made each one of these for about $1.00 each!
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Linking to:

Just a Girl: Handmade Holidays