I’ve heard of people making their own gift bags using magazines or calendar pages. Then, last weekend at the craft sale, someone at another booth was using handmade bags for their merchandise! I just had to try it out myself. I think these will be perfect for wrapping Christmas gifts!
Supplies needed:
(2) 12×12 sheets of scrapbook paper
4 magazine pages
Tape runner or glue
Paper Trimmer
Sewing Machine
Cut the 2 pieces of 12×12 scrapbook paper as shown in this picture by using the magazine page as a pattern for the largest piece. The largest pieces of scrapbook paper will be the main pieces of the bag, the next size down will be the sides of the bag and the narrowest pieces will be the handles.
Then, cut 2 of the magazine pages to fit the 2 side pieces of scrapbook paper. Here are all of the pieces need for the bag:
Bag Sides:
2 full size magazine pages & 2 pcs scrapbook paper of the same size
Side Panels:
2 trimmed magazine pages & 2 pcs scrapbook paper of the same size
Bag Handles:
2 pieces of scrapbook paper
Stack 1 magazine page and 1 piece of scrapbook paper, wrong sides together and hold together loosely with a small line from the tape runner. Fold the piece of paper for the handle in half lengthwise and sew shut with a zig-zag stitch. Insert the handle ends between the 2 pieces of paper and sew shut.
Stack the side panel pieces wrong sides together and hold together loosely with a small piece from the tape runner. Sew the top and then sew the side panel to the bag. I tried to mix up the magazine pages and the scrapbook pages so that some were on the inside and some on the outside.
Fold the side panels and then sew the 2nd bag side onto the side panel. Then, fold bag together and sew the far right side to the far left panel.
Now, the bottom of the bag looks like this…but not so blurry…close it up and sew straight across the bottom, sewing the side panels to the bag sides.
And the bag is fully sewn!
If you want a flat bottom on the bag, gently open and crease the sides so the bottoms looks like this.
Here is the interior of the bags…adorable!
A great way to customize these would be to use magazine pages that coordinate with the gift you are giving. If you are giving goodies, use magazine pages that show food. If you are giving a baby gift, use magazine pages that show babies or baby gear and so on!
Linking to some of these sites & these require a link in the post:
Under The Table & Dreaming
Today’s Creative Blog
Under The Table & Dreaming
Today’s Creative Blog
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Floyd Gary Clyne says
August 15, 2013 at 11:03 pmI wonder if it is possible to use lamination in the process to make these bags more permanent. Great idea.
Danielle says
December 29, 2011 at 6:54 pmnew follower:>
Danielle says
December 29, 2011 at 6:54 pmThis is so fantastic and what an awesome idea!! LOVE it! I am going to try this one out! It would make great gift bags for a birthday or something. I having a Home Year linky party over on my blog Blissful an dDomestic and would love for you to link this up:>
Have a fabulous week!
http://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/p/my-homemade-year-linky-party.html
Tina says
November 17, 2011 at 7:00 pmWow, what a neat idea! I’m not good at crafts, AT ALL, but this looks like a really fun and easy project. When I give a gift, I like to make the wrapping of it also part of the gift, and these bags are a perfect example of that.
Tina @ Life is Good
Rebekah Greiman says
November 17, 2011 at 2:57 pmLOVE this! Found you through HOH and just had to see how you did this. Thanks for sharing this great tutorial! Have a great (early) weekend.
http://www.potholesandpantyhose.com
Carissa says
November 17, 2011 at 2:56 pmThis is pretty much amazing., Thanks so much for sharing! I found your project on Pinterest and will definitely be trying it this week.
Cheers! Carissa from Carissa’s Creativity Space
Jamie says
November 17, 2011 at 2:01 pmThose are AMAZING!!
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
November 17, 2011 at 1:59 amYou are awesome so I featured you at my Hookin Up with HoH Party!
Feel free to stop by for a button if you’d like. 🙂
xoxo
Allison @ House of Hepworths
Katie's Nesting Spot says
November 17, 2011 at 12:18 amFabulous idea, I just started stitching on paper and have a huge collection of scrapbook papers. These would be great for all the extras. Thanks for linking up to A Crafty Soiree, I featured you this week.
Adelina Priddis says
November 15, 2011 at 4:25 pmLove it!!!
Megan says
November 15, 2011 at 4:17 pmi knew there was a good use for all those magazines I don’t need anymore! Thanks for the great tutorial! They are beautiful.
Megan @ The Crafty Conunrum
House Revivals says
November 15, 2011 at 12:52 pmWhat a fantastic idea! I’ve linked to this post from my Facebook page.
Andrea says
November 14, 2011 at 11:27 pmNow that is COOL! I have seen a lot of crafts on blogs and this maybe my favorite! The bags are so eye catching. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! I am newer to blogging and trying to use giveaways to get some attention lol. Come see what I mean.
Jenn says
November 14, 2011 at 4:42 amI never knew you could sew paper? I really need to learn to sew, because I would totally try this. I stumbled this!
Lindsay says
November 13, 2011 at 5:10 pmThanks for sharing at Show & Share, friend! I just adore you!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
November 11, 2011 at 10:35 pmThis is brilliant… I love the look and would much rather receive this than a store-bought bag! I might try my hand at them for the teacher gifts 🙂
P.S. I’m giving away 25 free shutterfly holiday cards… come on by! http://acraftyescape.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-shutterflys-2011-holiday-cards.html
Sue Frazier says
November 11, 2011 at 12:25 pmwhat an awesome idea! great project!
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
November 11, 2011 at 3:41 amThese are Fabulous, Tonia! So colorful, useful, AND it’s upcycling! I’d be thrilled if you shared this at my “Abundant Thanks” linky party.
CAS says
November 10, 2011 at 12:52 pmWow, this is one of the cutest craft projects I’ve seen in a long time! I’m new to your blog but already following, & I can’t wait to “snoop” around your blog for more fun & inspiration!
🙂 CAS
Happy in red says
November 10, 2011 at 8:49 amSo, you’re sewing paper? That’s brilliant! And that makes for such nice gift bags. Really fantastic.
Esther.
Elizabeth says
November 9, 2011 at 7:00 pmAdorable! Love these!!
Tricia says
November 9, 2011 at 5:57 pmSo neat!
sherri lynn says
November 9, 2011 at 3:52 pmThis is such a good idea! I always have tons of magazines laying around and all with such pretty pictures!
Anne @ Domesblissity says
November 9, 2011 at 5:45 amOh Tonia! How beautiful. I’ve heard of this with folding and gluing but not with sewing. How wonderful! And wonderful papers you’ve chosen. How did your sale go?
Anne xx
Amy of The Salvage Collection says
November 9, 2011 at 4:32 amokay, one more reason i need to learn to sew! this is an awesome tutorial! great photos, too!
amy
Katie says
November 8, 2011 at 8:03 pmLOVE this idea to make your own bags. I’ve never thought to do this before!!!
Lindsay says
November 8, 2011 at 7:34 pmSuch a cute little craft! These would make for some really fun gift bags! Great tutorial!