How to Make Gift Tote Bags

Make your own gift tote bag and use the money you save for the gift.

Gift tote bags can be as fancy and as expensive as some gifts. Save money on the wrappings and invest that money in the gift. You can make your own gift tote bag from a colored or white paper lunch sack and a little bit of satin ribbon. Making a gift tote bag isn't a complicated affair and can be made in an afternoon, or in a matter of minutes if you use a plain bag with no embellishment. Buy coordinating or contrasting tissue paper to insert into the bag, thus topping off a custom homemade gift tote.

Things You'll Need

• Matte paper bag, 6 1/4-inches wide by 12 7/16-inches long by 3 11/16-inches deep (measurements can be approximate; bag may be color or white)
• Sponge in the shape of a heart, star, etc.
• 2 coordinating colors of acrylic paint
• 2 paper plates
• Paper towel
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Hole punch
• 2 satin ribbons, 1-inch wide by 8-inches long

Instructions

1. Measure 2-inches down from the top of the bag's edge and draw a line around the bag using the ruler as a guide. Fold the edge over 1-inch inside the bag. This will give the handle area of the bag more strength. Flatten the bag and place it on a table.

2. Pour a quarter-sized circle of acrylic paint in one color onto a paper plate. Press the sponge shape onto the paint. Blot the paint-covered shape by pressing lightly on a paper towel, paint-side down, removing excess paint.

3. 

   Use a sponge shape to sponge paint the bag.

   Press the shape onto the paper gift tote bag's front, 2-inches from the top left corner, diagonally, and 2-inches from the right bottom corner, diagonally. Allow paint to dry for about 15 minutes. Turn bag over and repeat on the back of the bag.

4. Pour the second color of acrylic paint onto a fresh paper plate. Repeat step 2. Press the shape onto the front center of the gift tote bag. Allow the paint to dry. Turn bag over and repeat on the back of the bag. Allow paint to dry.

5. Measure for the center of the bag, at about the 3-inch point. Mark with a pencil. Measure 1 1/2-inches on each side of the center mark, about 1-inch down from the top edge (folded edge). Mark a dot at each spot. Repeat for the other side of the bag.

6. 

   Use a hole punch to create holes for the ribbon handles.

   Use a hole punch to punch a hole over each pencil mark so there are two holes on each side of the gift tote bag. Punch through the double layer of folded bag.

7. Thread one 8-inch long piece of satin ribbon through the left hole on the front of the bag. Tie the left end of the ribbon into a knot. Thread the right end of the ribbon through the right hole on the front of the bag. Tie the right end into a knot. This is the front handle. The knots prevent the ribbon from coming through the holes. Repeat for the back of the gift tote bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Sponge-painted shapes can be outlined with glitter glue/paint for extra glitz. Artificial flowers or other embellishments can be adhered to the bag with a glue gun.

References

• Dillard's Mr. Bingle: Making Gift Bags from Lunch Sacks
• Papermart: Matte Colored SoS Bag Dimensions and Colors

Resources

• All Free Crafts: Recycling Crafts - Gift Bag Ideas
• Craft and Fabric Links: Sewable Fabric Gift Bag Project
• Stamp On This: Gift Bag Decoration Idea and Supplies