Once upon a time, before COVID-19 created its havoc. I organized an afterschool enrichment program for the local community kids. Three days a week. Music, art, crafts. And tutoring, of course. That all changed on March 17th when we closed the Old Homosassa Learning Center down.

One of the programs was beginning sewing for the kids. I started them out with these drawstring bags. It helped children that had never sat down at a sewing machine to understand how to guide the fabric, use the presser foot, stitch a straight line and they got to take something home after their first session. We made things to put in the bags in subsequent lessons.

These little bags are beyond easy-peasy.

This year Halloween will be quite different. There won’t be much door to door “trick or treating”. No big parties. But I still want to celebrate some of the kids that previously attended the afterschool program. We are having a safe and social-distanced Halloween party sponsored by the Homosassa Civic Club. Key Club and Junior ROTC members will be helping out and wearing face masks. Craft tables will be set up six feet apart with two kids per table. Having an outdoor movie. We might get 10 kids. We might get 100. Hoping more like 25. I’m making these drawstring bags into little treat bags. They are quick and easy to create. (And a way to use up some of my scraps of Halloween fabric!)

Here’s the first three.

You can use the tutorial that I posted 3 1/2 years ago by clicking here: Easy Peasy Drawstring Bag Or there are several hundred tutorials on Pinterest. Just do a search. My instructions can easily be modified to make them bigger or smaller and there are no “raw” edges.

I’ve got a couple of kids in the afterschool program that are gluten free and dairy free. This way I can make special bags just for them and know that they are safe.

I went to the Dollar Tree to pick up the inexpensive toys and stickers.

Only have to make 22 more bags!