While this particular tutorial features a bag with bat silhouettes against a yellow moon, it can be easily modified to showcase the Halloween creature of your child’s choice. But whatever your applique, you can be certain this simple trick-or-treat bag will hold a motherload of delicious goodies!

Felt Trick-or-Treat Bag
Supplies: purple felt*, yellow felt*, sparkly black felt, scissors, sewing machine, thread, bat template. *Be sure you chose a durable, heavy-weight felt. I do not recommend using the inexpensive pre-cut felt for the actual bag. It is flimsy and will not hold up well. It is fine, however, for the appliques.

Instructions:

1. Cut two 14″ x 18″ rectangles from the purple felt (Bag). Cut two 3″ x 22″ strips from the purple felt (Handle Straps). Cut one 10″ circle from the yellow felt (Moon). Cut three bats from black felt using the bat template as a guide.

2. Place the yellow circle on one of the purple rectangles five inches from the top and centered between the sides. Stitch in place, close to edge.
3. Place bats on the yellow circle as desired. Pin in place and stitch close to edge.
4. With right sides together, sew a 5/8″ seam along sides and bottom of purple rectangles.
5. (Optional Step) Pinch bottom corners so that the seams touch and are even (almost creating a triangle). Sew perpendicular to side seam 1 inch from sewn corner. This will create a “boxed” bottom. Trim close to seam.
6. Fold top edge down one inch and lightly press in place. Fold over again and pin in place. Sew 1/4″ seam around top rim edge.
7. Fold handle straps in half length-wise and sew closed close to edge.
8. Pin one strap to each of the top rims, with edge of strap 3 inches from side seams, and end of strap 1 1/2 inches from top rim.
9. Sew each handle in place with a rectangle where the strap overlaps the bag. Reinforce by sewing an “x” inside the rectangle.
10. Trick-or-Treat!

Other applique templates:

Click Here to Download the Frankenstein template

Click Here to Download the Cat & Bat Silhouette templates

Click Here to Download the Pumpkin template: Pg 1 & Pg 2

Additional Ideas:
1. Make it extra fun and mix up your felt colors!

2. Use your imagination. You could applique witches, ghosts, the word “Boo,” your child’s name, polka-dots, stripes, etc. You could even applique a “mini me” version of your child’s costume. There are so many options!

3. Tie bows or ribbons to the handle straps or sew buttons.

4. Instead of sewing your applique, use an iron on transfer to print an image from your computer.