How to Sew a Paper Pouch

Use air bubble packaging material to make your pouch padded.

Next time you need a paper pouch to hold something, make it yourself to fit the item perfectly. Sewing it together instead of gluing it makes it stronger and the stitching adds a decorative element. Depending on the paper you choose, you can even use the pouch as a padded envelope and send it in the mail.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of paper
• Air bubble packaging material
• Double-sided tape
• Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Choose paper for your pouch. If you plan on mailing it as a padded envelope, choose something heavy like kraft paper. Wrapping paper and scrapbooking paper work well for pouches that don't need to go through the mail. You can also use newspaper or pages from old books.

2. Measure the two sheets of paper with a ruler and cut them to the desired size with scissors. They should be at least 2 inches wider and 4 inches taller than the item you are placing in the pouch. Trim off the top 2 inches of one of the sheets of paper.

3. Cut two pieces of air bubble packaging material measuring 1 inch shorter in both dimensions than the smaller of the two pieces of paper. Attach double-sided tape to the four sides of the flat side of each piece of the packaging material, about 1/2 inch from the edge. Do not remove the backing yet.

4. Place the smaller piece of paper -- good side down -- on a flat surface. Remove the backing on the double-sided tape and press one piece of air bubble packaging material to the piece of paper, centered horizontally and vertically. Repeat for the other sheet so the packaging material on that side lines up with the packaging material on the other side when the pouch is put together. It will not be perfectly centered because of the flap.

5. Thread the sewing machine needle with the thread of your choice and set it to a zigzag stitch.

6. Stack the two sides of the pouch together with the longer side on the bottom, paper side down, and the shorter side on top, paper side up.

7. Sew a zigzag stitch along three edges of the pouch with a 3/4-inch seam allowance. Start just above the top edge of the air bubble packaging material, where the flap will be folded. Turn when you get to the corner and sew the second edge. Turn again when you get to the next corner and sew up the third side until just past the edge of the packaging material. Proceed slowly so you don't tear the paper.

8. Fold the flap down and make a crease.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a button closure to the flap for a decorative touch if you aren't mailing the pouch.