How to Make Pretty Paper Bags

Decorate any paper sack or gift bag.

Decorated paper bags make beautiful gift bags for any special occasion. Make your own pretty gift bag out of any paper sack---brown or white lunch sacks, unprinted grocery sacks or plain gift bags---and fabric paint. Surprisingly, fabric paint works very well on paper. With fabric paint, you can create pearly, glittery, shiny or puffy colorful, raised textures on paper bags. Surprise your gift recipient with a beautiful hand-decorated, floral-themed paper gift bag.

Things You'll Need

• Waxed paper
• Paper bag
• Floral stencil
• Paper clips
• Pencil
• Squeezable fabric paints
• Paper plate
• Artist's paint brush

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of waxed paper to fit inside the paper bag. Without opening the bag, slip the piece of waxed paper inside. The waxed paper will keep the fabric paint from bleeding through to the other side.

2. Place the floral stencil on top of the unopened paper bag. After positioning it where desired, paper clip the stencil into place.

3. Use a pencil to outline the floral shapes on the stencil. Remove the paper clips and stencil.

4. Squeeze a small amount of fabric paint onto a paper plate. Dip your paint brush into the paint and dab off excess amounts.

5. Paint the penciled design. Use green fabric paint for leaves and vines, and various other colors for flowers. Mix textures. For example, paint glittery leaves and shiny stems, or shiny flowers and pearly leaves. While brush-painted fabric paint will not be raised, it will still have texture. Allow to dry for approximately two hours.

6. Make raised outlines. Use the squeezable fabric paint bottles to outline the painted designs. Match the outlined texture with the painted texture. For example, outline glittery leaves with glittery outline or shiny flowers with shiny outline. Allow to dry overnight before painting the other side.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use paper clips and not tape to hold the stencil in place; tape could tear the paper upon removal.