How to Make Gum Wrapper Bags
The name "gum wrapper bags" refer to the folding process used to create these bags, but one can be made from gum wrappers or any other material. The folding process is the same as making a gum wrapper or candy wrapper necklace. Use recycled bags from any household item that can be cleaned. An excellent recyclable bag is a potato chip bag.
Things You'll Need
- 2,496 long flat gum wrappers
- Darning needle
- 20-pound fishing line
- Scissors
Instructions
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Folding Process
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1
Open the gum wrapper and press it flat. Fold the gum wrapper in half lengthwise so it looks like a long hot dog bun. Open the wrapper and cut along the crease. Repeat with all gum wrappers.
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2
Take one piece of cut gum wrapper and fold it in half lengthwise to make a long narrow strip. Fold it a second time to get a strip approximately 1/8 inch wide and the length of the gum wrapper.
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3
Place the two long ends together and crease at the center fold. Open the fold.
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4
Fold one end of the gum wrapper to the center fold and crease. Repeat with the other end. Refold the gum wrapper together at the center crease to form a small "v". Two small arms can be seen when looking directly at the small "v" that will be opened to link the gum wrapper bag together.
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5
Repeat the process with all gum wrapper pieces.
Gum Wrapper Linking
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6
Gently open the single folded side of the arms of one of the small "v" type links far enough to insert the arms of a second link. Slide the arms of the second link through the openings making sure the edge with the single fold line is on the bottom. Repeat the process until a total of 104 links have been added.
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7
Unfold the arms on the last link. Connect them to the first link by placing the ends of the unfolded arms through the bottom of the first link. Refold the arms to the last link to form a tight connection.
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8
Continue to make 100 link wrapper chains until one set of 104 remain. Link the last 104 small "v" type links but do not connect them together to form a circle. Set aside for bag assembly as each row is completed.
Assembling the Bag
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9
Thread a darning needle with 3 to 4 feet of 20-pound fishing line. Place the fishing line through a square on the inside of one of the wrapper linked chains. Tie a square knot to secure the fishing line.
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10
Place a second row of the wrapper link chain on top of the first so the zigzag chain fits into the one beneath it. Sew the two links together by threading the needle through connecting squares on the inside of the gum wrapper bag. Use a square knot to tie the fishing thread together when more is needed. Place the third row of the wrapper link chain on top of the second. Continue connecting the links together using fishing line. Repeat the process until all wrapper link chains are used.
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11
Sew the bottom of the bag together using the darning needle and 20-pound fishing line. Thread the needle through opposite squares and pull snugly. Tie off the end of the fishing line.
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12
Connect the straight strip of connected links to the purse top for the handle. Use the needle and 20-pound fishing line to connect the bottom square of the handle to the top square on the purse. Repeat the process on the other side.
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13
Weave any exposed edges of fishing line into the squares on the inside of the bag. Cut off any excess that cannot be woven.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Any size gum wrapper bag can be made by the addition of more links. The directions are for a 6 inch by 6 inch gum wrapper bag. It will take 8 gum wrappers to make an inch. Each gum wrapper makes two lengths. The handle can be made to any width by simply sewing rows of gum wrappers together to the desired width and then attaching it to the bag using fishing line.
