Custom-made sacks to hold gift bottles of wine
A bottle of wine is a common thank you from guest to host, but to make this gift more memorable, you can dress the bottle in one of these easy-to-make stenciled fabric sacks. Based on an idea from Esther Morris of Sacramento, each sack starts as a 7- by 32-inch cloth rectangle. Almost any relatively smooth-surfaced fabric will do; we used heavy linen.
At an art supply or craft store, buy a medium-width stencil brush, fabric paint, a sheet of 1-inch stencil letters (optional), and a sheet of frosted acetate. To make the stencil pattern, draw a simple design (up to 5 inches wide) on a piece of paper, cover it with the acetate, and trace. Cut out design with a fine-bladed art knife.
Next, fold the fabric in half across the width, then center the acetate pattern on it; allow room for stenciled letters, if desired. Tape acetate in position and add paint with the stencil brush; let dry. (If you plan to use more colors, wait for each to dry before adding the next.)
Refold the fabric so the design is on the inside. Stitch a 1/2-inch seam along the sides and add a 1/2-inch hem at top. Turn inside out and, 2 inches below the top on the side opposite the stencil, tack on a tie (a length of fabric, leather, ribbon, or heavy yarn).
COPYRIGHT 1987 Sunset Publishing Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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