How to Make Paper Bags

How to Make Paper Bags How to Make Paper Bags Paper bags are easy to make and can come in very handy for use as shopping bags. In fact, with increasing global awareness of the environmental threat posed by plastic, paper bags are likely to be the welcome replacement for plastic bags. Making paper bags is a great craftwork for kids too, especially when you make them with different types of colorful and patterned paper. You can use paper bags to store small items, confectioneries and even pack return gifts in them on your kid’s birthday. Here are some simple instructions, which will tell you about how to make paper bags at home.

Things you will need:

• Chart paper
• Glue
• Chipboard
• Scissors
• Thick thread
• Ruler

The measurements mentioned below will give you a bag that is about 5’’ tall, 4.5’’ wide and 3’’ deep.

Method:

Using scissors cut the chart paper into a rectangular piece of 15.5’’ by 8.25’’.
Now place this cut rectangular paper on a flat surface. Fold a flap 1.25’’ down from the top and a flap 2’’ up from the bottom. Using a ruler, measure and make four vertical folds in the paper, at spacings of 4.5’’, 3’’, 4.5’’ and 3’’. You will now have the front and back panels of 4.5’’ width, the side gussets of 3’’ and a 0.5’’flap for gluing the bag together.
Cut two pieces of chipboard to 4.25’’ by 1’’ and stick them on the widest two panels under the top fold. Use glue and stick the top flap down along the length of the bag, covering the chipboard.
Apply some glue on the outside of the 0.5’’ tab and create the body of the bag by bringing over the left-most panel. The cut edge of the panel should be aligned with the folded edge of the flap.
Turn over the bag so that you now have the 2’’ flap facing upwards. Lay the bag on its side and fold the short sides inwards, by creasing the folds against the table.
Put glue on both the flaps and fold them inwards to form the bottom of the bag. Keep the bag upright and press down from inside to secure the bottom. If you want your bag to hold some extra weight, you can cut a piece of chipboard to 4’’ by 2.5’’ and stick it to the bottom.
Punch holes in the rim of the bag and string in thick thread through the holes to form handles. You may add eyelets to the hole to give your bag a professional look. Knot the ends of the thread properly so that it does not pull out through the holes.
Your paper bag is now ready. If you want to store your bag in a flat position, fold in the sides of the bag, press the top flaps together and bring the bottom up so that your bag lies flat.

Tip:

Using old newspapers to create paper bags is a great way of contributing towards paper recycling. Instead of using chart paper, you can stack two sheets of newspaper on top of each other. This will give you a robust two-ply bag.