What You Need to Make a Santa Sack
A Santa sack is a drawstring bag that holds small gifts or treats, and you can make one in an afternoon with basic sewing skills. You need two pieces of fabric roughly 12 inches by 16 inches (larger or smaller depending on how big you want the finished sack), thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, and a length of cord or ribbon for the drawstring—about 36 inches is standard. Red and white fabric, felt, or cotton print work well, though any sturdy fabric will hold up to repeated use.
If you have fabric scraps from other projects, a Santa sack is an ideal way to use them. You can piece together a patchwork front, or straightforward use two contrasting pieces. The sack does not need to be perfectly square or symmetrical—slight irregularities add to its handmade charm.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two fabric pieces to the same size, place them right sides together, and sew three sides closed, leaving the top open for turning and filling.
- Turn the sack right side out through the opening, press the seams flat, and fold the raw edges at the top inward before stitching them closed.
- Sew a casing (a tunnel of fabric) around the top of the sack by stitching two parallel lines, then thread your drawstring through it using a safety pin.
- A basic sack takes 30 to 45 minutes by hand or 15 to 20 minutes on a machine, and mistakes in alignment are invisible once the sack is filled and gathered.
Cutting and Preparing Your Fabric Pieces
Measure and cut two identical rectangles of fabric. A standard size is 12 inches wide by 16 inches tall, which makes a sack that holds a few small toys or a bundle of treats. If you want a larger sack, add 2 to 4 inches to each dimension. If you want a smaller one for jewelry or candy, subtract 2 to 4 inches. Write the measurements on a scrap of paper so both pieces match.
Use a ruler and a fabric pencil or chalk to mark your cutting lines. Cut slowly and keep your scissors perpendicular to the fabric so the edges are straight. If your fabric frays easily (like cotton or linen), you can seal the raw edges later with a zigzag stitch, but it is not required for a gift sack that will be used gently.
Sewing the Three Sides Together
Place your two fabric pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing inward (the pretty sides touching each other, the dull sides facing out). This is the most common mistake—if you sew with right sides facing out, your seams will show on the finished sack. Pin the two pieces together around three sides, leaving the top edge unpinned.
Sew along three sides using a straight stitch, staying about half an inch from the edge. If you are sewing by hand, use a running stitch or a backstitch, making stitches about one-eighth inch long. If you are using a machine, set it to a medium stitch length and sew slowly around the corners. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. Leave the top edge completely open—this is where you will turn the sack right side out and insert the drawstring casing.
Trim the corners diagonally about one-quarter inch from the stitching line. This removes bulk so the corners lie flat when you turn the sack right side out. Be careful not to cut into your stitches.
Turning and Pressing the Sack
Reach into the opening at the top and grab the fabric from the inside. Gently pull the sack through the opening, turning it right side out. The seams are now hidden inside, and the pretty sides of your fabric face outward. Use a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle or a chopstick to push the corners out from the inside so they form sharp points.
Lay the sack flat on an ironing board or a clean table. Press the seams with an iron on medium heat, or straightforward run your fingers along each seam to flatten it. Pay special attention to the top opening—fold the raw edges inward about half an inch and press them flat. This creates a clean edge for your drawstring casing.
Creating the Drawstring Casing
The casing is a tunnel of stitching that holds your drawstring. Fold the top of the sack down about one inch all the way around, with the folded edge facing inward. Pin this fold in place. The raw edges you folded inward are now hidden inside the fold.
Sew a line of stitching about one-quarter inch from the folded edge, going all the way around the sack. This creates the bottom wall of your casing. Then sew a second line about three-quarters of an inch above the first line. The space between these two lines is where the drawstring will slide. If you are sewing by hand, use a backstitch and keep your stitches small and even. If you are using a machine, use a straight stitch and sew slowly so the line stays parallel to the edge.
Do not sew the opening closed—you need gaps on opposite sides of the casing so you can thread the drawstring through. Leave a one-inch opening on one side and another one-inch opening directly opposite on the other side.
Threading the Drawstring
Cut a length of cord, ribbon, or fabric strip about 36 inches long. Attach a safety pin to one end. Insert the safety pin into one of the openings in the casing and push it through the tunnel, working it around the entire sack until it emerges from the opposite opening. The safety pin acts as a needle and makes the cord easier to guide through the narrow space.
Once the drawstring is threaded all the way through, remove the safety pin and tie the two ends together with a knot. You can tie the knot on the outside for decoration, or hide it inside the casing. Pull the drawstring to gather the top of the sack closed. If the drawstring is too long, trim it before tying.
Stitch the two openings in the casing closed with a few small stitches to prevent the drawstring from sliding out. You can also seal them with a small dab of fabric glue if you prefer not to sew.
Finishing Touches and Decoration
Your Santa sack is now complete and ready to fill. If you want to add decoration, sew on a felt appliqué of a snowflake or a holly leaf, embroider "Santa" or a name on the front, or glue on a fabric label. These additions are optional and take only a few extra minutes.
If the edges of your fabric are fraying noticeably, you can seal them with a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, or explore a thin line of fabric glue along the raw edges and let it dry. This step is purely cosmetic and does not affect how the sack works.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent error is sewing with right sides facing out instead of facing in. Before you sew, double-check that the pretty sides of your fabric are touching each other. If you make this mistake, you can still fix it by carefully cutting open one seam, turning the sack right side out, and re-stitching that seam.
Another common problem is sewing the top opening closed by accident. Keep the top edge unpinned and away from your needle until you are ready to create the casing. If you do sew it closed, use a seam ripper to carefully cut the stitches and open it back up.
Threading the drawstring can be frustrating if you try to push it through without a safety pin. The safety pin makes the job much easier and faster. If you do not have a safety pin, you can use a bobby pin, a paper clip, or even a length of thin wire bent into a loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Santa sack without a sewing machine?
Yes. Hand sewing takes longer—about 45 minutes instead of 20—but the process is identical. Use a backstitch for strength, make your stitches small and even, and take breaks if your hand gets tired. The finished sack will be just as sturdy.
What fabric works best for a Santa sack?
Cotton, linen, felt, and canvas all work well. Avoid stretchy fabrics like knit or spandex, which are harder to sew straight. Fleece is soft but can be slippery. If you are using a delicate fabric, reinforce the seams with a second line of stitching.
How do I make the sack bigger or smaller?
straightforward cut your fabric pieces larger or smaller before you start. Add or subtract the same amount from both the width and height so the sack stays proportional. A sack 10 inches by 14 inches holds small items; one 14 inches by 18 inches holds larger gifts.
Can I use patterned fabric or mix two different fabrics?
Yes. You can use two different fabrics for the front and back, or piece together a patchwork front from scraps. Just make sure both pieces are the same size before you sew them together. Patterned fabric adds visual interest and is a great way to use up leftover material.
What if my drawstring gets stuck in the casing?
Stop pulling and gently work it back and forth to loosen it. If it is truly stuck, you may have sewn over it by accident. Use a seam ripper to carefully cut the stitches in that area, free the drawstring, and re-stitch. This is rare if you leave the two one-inch openings in the casing as instructed.