A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

Santa Sack

December 2, 2011 By Spoonful of Sugar - 25 Comments

Santa Sack and Festive Pillowcase – a 2 hour project.


I love Christmas but it is always such a hectic time of year, especially as it coincides with the end of the school year for us in Australia. This year my two teens have part time jobs so I seem to be driving back and forth to the shopping centre to drop them off. This has cut into my Christmas crafting time, so I was pleased when I found a project I made two years ago in my sewing room (complete with instructions and photos). 


This is a super quick project that makes a pillowcase that can do double duty as a Santa sack on Christmas Eve – perfect for camouflaging those hard to wrap gifts that come down the chimney!

Your little ones will be dreaming of Christmas with this festive pillowcase. Then on Christmas Eve it can be placed by the fireplace. With its handy drawstring feature, it can double as a Santa Sack – the perfect size to hold a bounty of gifts. (Make it in 2 Hours).






Materials:

Main Christmas fabric –    Cut 1 pieces measuring 60 cm x 49 cm      (23 1/2 ” x 19 1/4 “)

Pink Polka Dot fabric –    Cut 1 piece measuring 23 x 97 cm              (9 x 38 1/4 “)

Green Swirl Fabric –        Cut 2 pieces measuring 8 cm x 50 cm         (3 1/4 x 19 3/4 “)

2.5 m of co-ordinating grosgrain ribbon, 1.5 cm wide (2 3/4 yards)

Finished Pillowcase measures 48 x 70 cm

Note: All seam allowances are 0.5 cm

Method:

1.       Layer the Christmas print so that the right sides are together, and sew around three sides, leaving one short side free. Overlock or zig zag the raw edges.

2.       Fold the polka dot fabric in half widthwise with the right sides facing and sew across the short ends to form a tube. Check to ensure that the polka dot tube is now the same width as the pillowcase opening, and adjust if necessary.  Fold the tube in half with the right side facing out and press. This will form the opening of the pillowcase.

3.       Press under 1 cm at each short end on the pieces of swirl fabric, and press in half lengthwise so that the right side is facing out. Position the swirl fabric strips on top of each side of the polka dot tube so that the raw edges are aligned, and baste in place. Turn the pillowcase so that the right side is facing outwards. Position the polka dot and swirl edging so that the swirl edging is facing inwards, and all the raw edges are aligned, and stitch in place. Overlock or zigzag around the raw edges. Press the pillowcase.  Topstitch around the Christmas print where it meets the swirl fabric.

4.       Cut the ribbon into two equal lengths. Thread a piece of ribbon through each opening in the swirl channel to make a drawstring closure. Knot the ends of the ribbon and trim as desired.



* Note: If using with young children, I would delay threading the ribbon through the channels until Christmas Eve so that the ribbon does not pose a choking hazard.

Filed Under: Christmas, Sewing, Sewing Tutorials

« The Right Choice
Clay Ornaments »

Comments

  1. Dora Ramalho says

    December 2, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Love it

    Reply
  2. Rashida Khanbhai says

    December 2, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Looks lovely!

    Reply
  3. Miranda says

    December 2, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    Super cute and quick!

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    December 2, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    How clever is that Lisa and the fabric is just perfect.

    Reply
  5. Thimbleanna says

    December 2, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    I love it Lisa — Double Duty!!!

    Reply
  6. Jill says

    December 2, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    What beautiful fabric! And a great idea to add the drawstring!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. Happy in red says

    December 2, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Wow, very clever!!

    Reply
  8. shez says

    December 3, 2011 at 12:47 am

    great project Lisa,love the pink and green santa fabric

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    December 3, 2011 at 1:43 am

    Oh, it’s so gorgeous and such a great idea. Love it!

    Reply
  10. Heleen Groot says

    December 3, 2011 at 1:43 am

    OK. After complaining loudly and repeatedly about the absolute mountain of great things to make on the internet, I’ve just made a Christmas folder on my computer. I do believe that if I start working in January 2012 I might be able to finish all the lovely things by Christmas next year. This pattern….is in there too! Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Bela says

    December 3, 2011 at 2:10 am

    ♫♩♫♭♪♯♬♮♫♩♫♭♪♯♬♮♬♪♫
    My heart always sings here, dear Lisa!!! So lovely this sack-pillow or should I say pillow -sack??:o)
    You always come up with wonderful ideas!!

    Here in Brasil it is the end of the school year too + x-mas orders = I am going crazy!!!:o)))

    Wish you all a great weekend!!!
    Love, Bela

    Reply
  12. Linda says

    December 3, 2011 at 2:16 am

    soooooooo gorgeous divine fabrics

    Reply
  13. suzitee says

    December 3, 2011 at 3:27 am

    Love that fabric!

    Reply
  14. June Houck says

    December 3, 2011 at 5:34 am

    Fantastic idea and beautiful colors!

    Reply
  15. Handmade in Israel says

    December 3, 2011 at 5:36 am

    I don’t need a Santa Sack but think it looks gorgeous anyway! Fabulous fabric.

    Reply
  16. T Mom says

    December 3, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Just an idea that I did with my Santa sack a few years ago-I made 2! One to sit out for Santa to fill and one hidden away for me to fill as i bought gifts. That way a simple switch-a-roo, and Christmas morning was ready!!!!

    Reply
  17. Terriaw says

    December 3, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    Such a fun project, especially with those adorable fabric prints. I love the idea of adding a drawstring to a pillowcase so it can double as a gift bag, or even be used as an overnight bag for sleepovers. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. The Gaddy's Yellowstone Dream says

    January 26, 2012 at 5:57 am

    Adoreable. I can even see this for the grandboys. Love it

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    December 8, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    Another great project, Lisa and Sarah….. Love it…..

    Reply
  20. majella says

    November 9, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    Im so new at this!! Is there a picture tutorial for this? I’m getting a bit lost with attaching the green.

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      November 9, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      Hi Majella

      This is a really old project that I made years ago. Unfortunately I don’t have any other photos of the process. It is a bit similar to my Pretty pillowcase:
      http://aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2012/12/how-to-sew-pillowcase/ (which has some more photos)

      When attaching the green pieces – both ends need to be left open so you can thread ribbon/cord through to use as a drawstring.

      Reply
  21. Joyce says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:50 am

    This is a great idea to combine a pillowcase with a santa sack, but I’m slightly confused. should there either be 2 main christmas fabrics (front and back), or a back piece mentioned….?

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      March 2, 2016 at 7:31 am

      Hi Joyce – the there is only a seam down one side so the main fabric gets folded in half to create the front and back. Hope that helps 🙂

      Reply
  22. Melanee Phillips says

    December 31, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for this cute pattern! I made my daughter a Christmas narwhal pillowcase. I adjusted the instructions to sew it as a magic pillowcase with the seams enclosed. It turned out great!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

I’ve been sewing with the upcoming Tilda Village L I’ve been sewing with the upcoming Tilda Village Life collection, and couldn’t resist making a Quadra Pouch using all four floral blender colourways —burgundy, teal, ochre and blue. The small scale florals are perfect for small makes.The Quadra Pouch comes in three sizes, stands tall, and has a clever flat base with no boxed corners. I added a satin drawstring and a sew‑in tag for a sweet finish. They’re perfect for sewing supplies, gifts, or travel essentials.If you’d like the pattern link, comment QUADRA and I’ll send it straight through.
Available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.Fabric: Tilda Village Life (available 1 October) with thanks to @tilda_AustraliaPattern: Quadra Pouch (3 Sizes) - available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop#quadrapouch #tildavillagelife #tildafabric #ilovetilda #2greenzebras
Meet the Quadra Pouch — a clever flat‑base design Meet the Quadra Pouch — a clever flat‑base design that comes in three super‑useful sizes. Beginner‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for
showing off pretty prints.I stitched this pouch in the upcoming Tilda Village Life collection, using the same floral in burgundy, ochre, teal and blue. Each corner is different, which makes the whole pouch feel extra special.Want the pattern link?
Comment QUADRA and I’ll send it straight through.Pattern Details: Quadra Pouch Sewing Pattern (3 Sizes)Fabric Credit: Tilda Village Life - available 1 October with thanks to @tilda_australia#quadrapouch #tildavillagelife #tildafabric #sewingpattern #ilovetilda
A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️ This A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️
This Easy Hexagon Trivet comes together in minutes — no binding, straight seams, and a very pleasing turn‑through moment.Perfect for charm packs, leftover 10" squares, or your favourite scraps.Comment TRIVET for the pattern link.Pattern Details: Easy Hexagon Trivet & Coasters — available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#easysewingproject #scrapsewing #beginnersewing #sewingreels #weekendsewing
A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess Woods inspired this sweet little Heart Bookmark. I adored the way The Cairo Bridal Shop wove together family, secrets, and sisterhood — it’s one of those
stories that stays with you long after you close the cover. If you missed my book review, check my previous post.This tiny Heart Bookmark is scrap‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for book lovers or handmade gift‑givers.Comment BOOKMARK for the free Pattern or click on the link in my bio.Save this for when you are looking for quick handmade gift ideas.#freesewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #bookloversofinstagram #sewingcommunity
A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project insp A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project inspired by the Albi sisters.Thanks to @tesswoods_author and @penguinbooksaus for the advance copy of this captivating story.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I’ve just finished reading The Cairo Bridal Shop by local author Tess Woods — and it completely swept me away.Set at the foot of the pyramids, the Albi Bridal Shop is home to three sisters fighting to break tradition and shape their own futures. Inspired by ancient pharaoh queens, they draw on generations of women, culture, sacrifice, and resilience to find their strength.Tess calls this “the book of her heart,” weaving her family history into a story of sisterhood, identity, faith, strong women, and delicious Egyptian food.While reading, I kept thinking about the three Albi sisters — Sarah, Aya, and Lola — each navigating their own challenges, each fighting for the life she deserves.So I stitched three Heart Bookmarks, one to represent each sister. A tiny handmade nod to their courage, creativity, and connection.Each bookmark is made from quilting cotton, wool felt, lace, and a silky tassel — quick to sew, lovely to gift, and perfect for marking your place in a story full of strong women.I was completely captivated by The Cairo Bridal Shop. The relationships between the sisters are truly the heart of the story — tender, complicated, loyal, and full of resilience.I loved the structure: six dresses, each inspired by a Pharaoh queen, each opening a new chapter of their lives. The cultural details, the food, the history, the Cairo setting — it all felt vivid and immersive.A beautiful, emotional story of family, identity, courage, and the strength we find in the women around us.If you only read one book this year, make sure it is The Cairo Bridal Shop.If you’d like to stitch your own Heart Bookmark, the pattern is free.Comment BOOKMARK and I’ll send you the link.A sweet, quick project — perfect paired with a good book.Thanks for being here — I love sharing small sewing projects that bring joy to your day.
A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨ The Zakka Scisso A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨The Zakka Scissor Keeper is one of my favourite small  makes — quick to sew, perfect for coordinated scraps, and so handy to keep your scissors protected in your sewing bag. I’ve never shared a reel of this one, so here’s a little peek at how it opens and closes.It’s also my Pattern of the Week, which means you can save 25% for a limited time. If you love small, satisfying projects, this one is a fun weekend sew.Comment SCISSOR and I’ll send you the link.#sewingprojects #scrapfriendlysewing #smallsewingprojects #zakka #sewingaddict
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Rediscovering Your Fabric Stash: Hidden Treasures, Changing Tastes, and Fresh Inspiration
  • Apple Crumble Slice
  • Liberty Scrap Gift Tags – A Quick, Pretty Project for Using Tiny Fabric Offcuts
  • Travel Accessories to Sew
  • Patchwork Fabric Tray
  • Charm Square Fabric Tray
  • 10 Beginner Friendly Sewing Projects for Kids Going Back to School

Copyright © 2026 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar