How to Make a Newspaper Bag

This sturdy newspaper bag can be used over and over again for groceries, as a beach tote, a knitting bag or for a million other things. It's easy to make and all you'll have to purchase is a roll of clear cellophane tape from any home improvement or arts and crafts store.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper Clear cellophane tape Scissors

Instructions

1. Decide on interesting pages of the newspaper. The Sunday funnies are colorful and the want-ads make a nice black and white bag. Cut the newspaper into 4-inch strips from the top to the bottom of the page.

2. Fold each strip in half and then in half again, lengthwise. Each strip should now measure 1 inch wide.

3. Weave the pieces together. Line up six strips on the table, side by side. Weave a strip under and over and under the six strips. Make sure the weave is tight. Then place a strip of tape over it, extending over the top of your work onto the work surface. This will keep your work stable while you weave additional strips of newspaper. Continue with the next strip working it over, under and then over until you reach the end. Keep weaving the strips until your work reaches 10-inches.

4. Cover the entire piece with clear tape. Cut any excess newspaper and tape so the piece measures 6 inches by 10 inches. Repeat the process twice more, for a total of three rectangles. Make two squares that measure 10 inches by 10 inches, using the same process.

5. Lay the three rectangles, on the table, in a line with the long edges facing you. The center piece will serve as the bottom of the bag. Tape the two seams on either side of the bag bottom (these are the bag sides) with the tape halfway on each piece. Place one square piece at the top of the bag bottom and the other one at the bottom. Tape as you did previously. Turn the bag over and tape the other side in the same manner.

6. Fold all sides and crease them at the seams. Tape on the outside of the four corners, up and down. Tape on the inside of the bag as well.

7. Make an additional strip of newspaper as previously explained. This will be your handle. Cover it in tape on both sides, wrapping the tape around the newspaper strip. Tape it to the inside of the bag at the length you would like the handle. Let the tape extend all the way to the bottom of the bag, for extra strength. Then, place a piece of tape on each side of the bag, on the outside, so that it goes the length of the bag and under to the bottom, while still going up on top of the handle. At the top of the bag, cut the tape so it will wrap around the handle. All this taping will assure a strong handle that will not break off with a heavy load.

Tips & Warnings

• This bag can easily be made from magazine pages or discarded books. It can also be made in a smaller size to be used as a purse. For a smaller bag, buy coordinating ribbon to tie a bow on one side of the handle.

Resources

• Another Newspaper Bag Method