The last three Christmases on the trot have given me a little project to sew, not just because I like to sew but because it feels like a heartfelt gift to send something you really had to put some thought and effort into personally, not just a couple of clicks from Amazon (though I can't deny I still do this often).

Year one was tote bags and this was the most complex project but I had an amazing tutorial, both a blog and a vlog which made it achievable. I wrote about sewing a tote bag.

Year two I made aprons which was enjoyable, I looked at my own apron and used a similar design so didn't follow a tutorial.

Year three I made peg bags which could either be used on a washing line or hung up in a wardrobe. I didn't find exactly the right tutorial so I used one but didn't follow it to the letter. I think my design was superior to the others I found (ha!) so maybe others would like to see how I made it.

The first step was to locate small coat hangers. These were childrens' coat hangers from Amazon. Yes, I realise the hypocrisy now. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Then figure out how much material I would need. I struggle with things like this and it would depend on how wide the fabric was and how deep I wanted the bags and the width of the hanger and whether the fabric was only to be used in tone direction. So I guessed high and bought about 5 meters. As it happened, I could fit two bags' worth per meter as it was about 1.5m width so worked out to be a much cheaper project than initially predicted but with an expensive tablecloth made out of the leftover material – but I'll enjoy it so that's not a waste.

Being the basic creature that I am I spend ages cutting out each piece before C asked why I hadn't folded the material and cut four together. It didn't occur to me. I will just add that cutting out patterns is my least favourite part of any project because you have to get it right but it's so tedious and loathsome. My advice would be to pick fabric you like and which is suitable for being a pegbag and use it for all 4 faces to save faffing. Give the fabric a gentle iron it's lively or crumpled.

Once I finally had the pieces ready it involved a fair bit of puzzling from my tutorial as to what the heck to do. Pinning the two front faces together I used a saucer to mark out my circle then used a close together straight stitch to sew. I was highly concerned my amateurish lack of finesse would only produce an ugly, jagged circle so I went incredibly slowly at first but soon found to my delight that it looked imperceptible from a perfect circle.

It looks like a seemingly impossible feat to sew the circle then turn it inside out but you have to take the fabric through the circle and of course, it works. I cut the middle section of the circle out to about 3mm from the stitching and then cut toward the stitches ever 12-15 mm which required great care as to cut a single stitch would surely unravel the lot and spoil the piece. Once turned out it needs another careful press.

Here's where things get nice and simple. Pin the two pieces together and sew around each all the way round around 4 mm from the edge. This will keep things simple for when you pop them good sides together (you'll be turning this inside out) and pin. Then sew all around except for the hanger head hole and about 2/5 of the bottom to pull it all through. Sew about 8mm from the edge so all those other stitches wont affect turning it inside out.

Then turn inside out so it's the right way round.


As that hand hold makes an excellent access point for that open bottom of the bag I gathered it though and machine stitched it instead of having the pain of hand finishing. What a gift.

My hanger and size of hand hole combination meant I would then put the hanger in at this point. The hanger 'point' at 90 degrees so and then turn flat once it's all in.

Then add a ribbon to disguise the hole where the hanger pokes through and all complete.

This was a really simple project and one which looks like it takes so much more time and complexity! Now I just need to make one for myself.

PS I think this fabric is gorgeous and reminds me of William Morris designs. I used the remainder leftover to make a tablecloth I can enjoy at the kitchen table.