How can I make a gift bag reusing and recycling stuff?
We all know wrapping paper is bad, m’okay? and that reusable gift bags are a far better alternative if you go in for that type of presentation and reusable gifts bags made out of recycled stuff from around the home are better yet – but how do you make them?
I wanted to make a gift bag in a hurry the other day out of some old brown paper. A quick search pointed me towards a number of tutorials which used existing boxes as templates – either intact boxes or as nets – but I wondered if anyone else had any other designs?
Another idea I had was to make a quick pouch out of a pretty fabric – or even just fold the fabric furoshiki style.
Any other suggestions?
Look at this: http://sparenundrecyceln.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/recycling_geschenkverpackung/
It is made from the inner part of a coffee package and nets from onions and oranges.
I like to make this little bag: http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com/my_little_mochi/2005/05/origami_pocket_.html The original is made of fabric, but I usually use a full sheet of newspaper and the folding doubles the thickness so it’s more sturdy. Tape up the sides, and you can square off the bottom a bit if you need to.
The other thing I’ve done is to take apart a battered old store-bought gift bag for a template. Once I figured out how it went together, I started adjusting the size.
Scarves wrapped furoshiki style would be pretty. I’ve wrapped with brown paper or newspapert then foraged in my yard for dried winter plants to adorn my gift with. It makes a very beautiful and earthly wrapping, I think.
I use brown paper and newspaper. I you tie it up with pretty ribbon or make a decoration out of buttons, beads or flowers, it looks arty rather than cheap!
Oh I meant “IF you tie it up…”!!
My guess would be to carefully take apart a bag at the seams and trace the template to another sheet of paper and fold it like usual.
For Christmas, I set up at Birmingham Friends of the Earth, “Its a wrap”, a craft group devoted at making reusable wrapping, see our blogs http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/search/label/itsawrap. We mostly made bags that could be reused, especially wine bottle size. Also CD bags, inspired by a Thai project Porgai- photographed in the blogs.
It was interesting to see Lush had a Christmas campaign which you could pay for your present to be wrapped in a vintage scarf. Find out more at the link above.
As mentioned above, drawstring bags are easy to make, and a bit more decorative if they use a quilt block ( and it’s a good way to use the extra block). I’ve been making and giving such bags. Sometimes we get them back within the family get-together, but usually I include them as part of the gift. A bandana makes a good furoshiki-style wrapper, too. Once could also decoupage boxes and bins in which groceries come for re-useable decorated containers. One could also use a dish-towel for a kitchen-related gift.
The Re-bag! A bag made out of plastic grocery bags (too bag no one uses them anymore….wait, what am I saying?) But next time you see one in a bush or blowing down the street, catch it!
http://www.cocoknits.com/knit/garments/accessories/rebag.html