Tie one on this holiday!

Can you believe it's November? I certainly can't. It's only a matter of time before plummeting temperatures (although it was 70 DEGREES in New York today!), crowded malls and shopping-'til-you-drop-'cause-you're-overheated-and-wrapped-in-a-down-coat combines to create the most unwonderful time of the year.

Well don't I sound like the Grinch today.

Don't get me wrong; I love the holidays, and my live Christmas tree and my cookie party and spending time with my family and friends. But despite being a Jersey Girl I'm not a fan of the mall. (Don't tell; they may kick me out of the state.) Especially when they are filled with overzealous shoppers and enough tinsel to stretch from the shore house to China and back again. I like to shop at my local haunts, support local artisans, and make my own gifts.

And speaking of making my own gifts...

Starting today, Violet Posy is hosting a week-long celebration of all things thrifty, so be sure to stop by her place throughout the week, and maybe even contribute a thrifty goody of your own to the idea pool.

I'm planning a post every day this week (oh yes I am!) featuring a different thrifty project. And every single one will be below $10 US to make, but may require a little elbow grease and imagination on your part.

Let's start by tying one on...

Remember when I bought a bunch of ties at the Monmouth County SPCA Cats and Dogs Thrift Shop for 50 cents each?


Now look at them:


This thrifty pouch is also the perfect (and environmentally friendly!) way to wrap a bottle of wine or sparkling cider (which would certainly keep it under $10 total). We have a lot of BYOB restaurants near us, so these will come in handy for toting vino to our favorite haunts.

While I didn't have much of a "plan," I took photos of the second one I made which went quite a bit smoother than my first attempt. So here goes...

Measure out three of your four ties, about 10" up from where the point at the bottom starts:


You can use the bottle you plan on wrapping as your guide. Also try and find at least two wider ties so your bag won't be a super tight fit. Cut and pin them together, with one full tie on the end:


Top stitch them together...


..but leave about one inch unsewn on the tie that is next to the full length tie:


Roll the top (hence the one inch above that you didn't sew)...


...and flip the "handle" around to the tie that will be on the opposite side of "full tie." Now you can run a top stitch across the top, and when you get to the handle be sure to back stitch to reinforce:



Now it's time to bring the bottom points together. As with the side panels, you just sort of pin together on the outside...


...and top stitch:



Voila! I added a button as a tie tack to anchor the flap. You could also top stitch that whole tie flap, which I think I'll do with the next one to both anchor the flap and reinforce the handle a bit more.


Tomorrow: Recycling (in more ways than one) my favorite thrifty gift idea.