DIY Gift Bag

As I've mentioned before, I'm always on the internet looking for inspiration and design ideas.  One design blog I visit often is called How About Orange;  I saw a tutorial this weekend on how to make your own gift bags out of newspaper.  The gift bag called for a 15.5" wide x 8.25" tall piece of newspaper.  I decided to resize the bag so you can make it with a piece of 12"x12" patterned paper instead of newspaper.  I know it's not as "green" but it'll be more colorful!  I'm going to include step-by-step instructions below, but if you want to visit the original post, click here.

My tote is 4" tall by 3.75" wide by 2" deep.  Here's a picture with the dimensions.  You'll start with one 12"x7" sheet of patterned paper.

The top flap is 1.25" down from the top and the bottom flap is 1.75" from the bottom.  Make these horizontal score lines.  The vertical score lines are at 3.75", 5.75", 9.5" and 11.50".  There will be a 0.5" tab for you to glue the sides of the bags together.  Make nice sharp creases with your bone folder before proceeding to the next steps.

Cut two pieces of cardstock (A) to 3.75" x1".  Glue them on the 3.75" panels just below the score line as shown in the photo above.  These pieces of cardstock will reinforce the bag so it won't rip if it's holding something heavy.  Glue down the top with sticky strip for extra reinforcement.  Also glue the bottom flap and the side 0.5" tab.

The next step is to fold the bottom sides like you are wrapping a present.

Put sticky strip on the flaps to glue them together.

Stand the bag upright and cut a piece of heavy duty white cardstock to insert in the bag as a bottom reinforcement.  That piece will be 3.75" x 1.75".  If you want a handle for your gift bag, punch holes in the top rim of the bag with a Cropadile and add eyelets for guess what?  Reinforcement!  There's no waaaaay this DIY bag is going to fall apart.  String some thin ribbon or cord thru the eyelets and knot them on each end so the cord will stay put.  Standard is for the knots to be on the inside, but they can be unconventionally on the outside as well.  Why not?

That's it.  You've got your own handmade gift bag that you've made with your own two hands.

Stampin' Up Supplies Used:

Stamps:  None

Ink:  None

Paper:  Sweet Pea DSP (Retired), So Saffron

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/8" Ribbon, Silver Eyelets