Creating Rustic Hessian Wedding Favour Bags: A Step-By-Step Guide

Hessian favour bags are a great way to add a rustic, vintage or shabby chic touch to your wedding. They are perfect for holding small gifts or treats for your guests, such as chocolates, sweets or jewellery. You can buy them in a variety of colours and designs, including heart prints, and with different types of fastenings, such as drawstrings or ties. You can also personalise them with tags or ribbons. Hessian favour bags are readily available from online retailers, including Etsy, eBay and Amazon.

Choosing the right hessian fabric

Colour

The colour of the hessian fabric will set the tone for your wedding favour bags. Natural hessian fabric is a popular choice for a rustic or vintage-style wedding. It has a beautiful, earthy tone that complements a variety of wedding themes. You can also opt for coloured hessian fabric to match your wedding colour palette. Popular choices include beige, blue, grey, and pink.

Pattern

Hessian fabric is available in a variety of patterns, which can add a unique touch to your wedding favour bags. Consider a heart design, which is perfect for a wedding, or a more seasonal pattern like pine cones and berries for a winter wedding. You can also choose a simple, plain fabric and add your own embellishments.

Texture

Hessian fabric is known for its textured, woven appearance. When choosing your fabric, consider the weight and feel of the material. A lighter weight fabric may be more suitable for a delicate, romantic look, while a heavier fabric can give a more robust, rustic feel.

Quality

It's important to select a high-quality hessian fabric that will be durable and hold its shape. Look for a fabric that is tightly woven and has a soft, yet sturdy feel. Check reviews from other buyers to get an idea of the fabric's quality and durability.

Amount

Consider the amount of fabric you will need for your project. If you are making multiple wedding favour bags, ensure you purchase enough fabric to account for any mistakes or last-minute additions. It's always better to have a little extra fabric than to run out halfway through your project.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right hessian fabric for your wedding favour bags and create a beautiful, cohesive look for your special day.

Selecting a suitable design

When selecting a suitable design for your hessian wedding favour bags, there are several factors to consider:

Colour

Hessian fabric is a natural colour that complements any colour scheme. However, you can also find hessian bags in other colours, such as blue, pink, red, and grey, which can add a touch of romance to your wedding favours.

Pattern

A heart design is a popular choice for hessian favour bags, especially for rustic, shabby chic, or vintage-style weddings. You can also find hessian bags with lace trim or printed designs, such as Christmas trees or snowflakes, which are perfect for winter weddings.

Size

Hessian favour bags come in various sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your wedding favours. Standard bag sizes range from 7x9cm to 13x18cm, but you can also find smaller or larger options. Consider the size of your favours and choose a bag that will comfortably fit your gifts, whether they are jewellery, sweets, or small treats.

Style

Hessian bags can be found in several styles, including drawstring pouches, tote bags, and gift sacks. Drawstring pouches are ideal for small gifts and favours, while tote bags and gift sacks are perfect for larger items or multiple favours. You can also find unique styles, such as heart-shaped bags or bags with thank-you tags, which add a thoughtful touch to your wedding favours.

Customisation

Personalised hessian bags can make your wedding favours even more special. You can customise the bags with initials, names, or a special message. This option is often available from online sellers and crafters, who can work with you to create unique favour bags that match your wedding theme and colour scheme.

Adding decorations

Ribbons and Bows

Hessian fabric pairs beautifully with natural, burlap, or hessian ribbons. You can also opt for a pop of colour with options like blue, pink, or grey. For a more elegant touch, consider decorative ribbon bows, such as sparkly and glitter bows, or bows made from patterned or printed satin ribbon.

Lace

Lace trim can add a delicate and romantic touch to your hessian favour bags. Beige, blue, grey, and pink linen favour bags with lace trim are readily available and can complement a rustic or vintage-themed wedding.

Prints and Patterns

Consider favour bags with printed designs, such as hearts, tartan, or vintage roses. These can enhance the overall aesthetic of the bags and make them more memorable.

Personalisation

Customise your hessian favour bags with personalised gift tags, initials, or names. This adds a unique and thoughtful touch to each bag.

Nature-inspired Elements

Incorporate natural elements like dried flower petals, artificial flowers, or butterfly decorations. These can be attached to the bags or used as part of the overall table decor.

Glitter and Sparkle

For a touch of glamour, consider decorations with glitter or sparkle, such as glitter Christmas trees or sparkly bows.

Filling the bags

Now that you have your hessian wedding favour bags, it's time to fill them! Here are some ideas for what to put inside:

Edible Treats

Fill your bags with sweet treats for your guests to enjoy. Options could include:

• Chocolate neapolitans or foil-wrapped chocolates
• Sugared almonds
• Biscuits or cookies
• Cake or cupcakes

Drinks

Small bottles of drinks are another great option for wedding favours. You could include:

• Mini bottles of champagne or sparkling wine
• Miniature spirits or liquors
• Bottles of craft beer or cider

Decorative Items

If you'd like to give your guests something to cherish, consider filling the bags with decorative items such as:

• Handcrafted paper flowers
• Artificial flowers, such as roses, daffodils or heather sprigs
• Ribbon
• Confetti
• Small candles

Personalised Gifts

For a more personalised touch, you could include gifts such as:

• Small, personalised tote bags or pouches
• Tooth fairy bags
• Seed packets
• Small, personalised gift boxes

Tying the bags

Before you start tying, it's important to have all the necessary materials ready. You will need hessian fabric, string or twine, scissors, and any desired decorations such as ribbons, lace, or tags. Cut the hessian fabric into rectangles, with the size depending on your preferred bag size. The standard size for wedding favour bags is around 10x14cm, but you can adjust it according to your needs.

Now, let's begin the process of tying:

• Folding and Stitching: Start by folding the rectangle of hessian fabric in half, creating a pouch-like shape with one fold at the bottom and an opening at the top. You can secure the sides of the bag by stitching them together or using a hot glue gun to adhere the edges. If you're skilled with a needle and thread, stitching will give your bags a neat and durable finish.
• Adding String or Twine: Take a length of string or twine and insert it into the pouch, right under the opening. The string should be long enough to comfortably tie a bow or knot. You can use a thin ribbon instead of string for a more elegant look.
• Tying the Bags: Pull the sides of the bag together to close the opening, and then tie the string or twine securely. You can experiment with different types of knots or bows to add visual interest. A simple bow is always effective, but you could also try a double knot or a more intricate decorative knot.
• Decorating the Bags: Finally, add any desired decorations to the bags. You can attach a small bunch of dried flowers, a sprig of greenery, or a personalised tag with a guest's name and a heartfelt message. Ribbons and lace can also be used to embellish the bags and add a touch of elegance.

Remember, the key to tying effective hessian wedding favour bags is to be consistent with your method and chosen style. Practice tying a few bags first to perfect your technique before you begin assembling the rest.

Frequently asked questions