Ideas for Bags
Get creative when crafting bags for gifts, totes, to take to the beach or use in lieu of a plastic option at the grocery store. There are many things, often just around the house, that can be converted into a special idea for a bag. Find any number of ways to craft a fun bag for almost every occasion.
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T-shirt Tote Bag
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This cute tote is very easy to craft and durable enough to carry school books or light groceries. Choose a T-shirt, either a solid color or print; try using T-shirts with designs or appliques on them for a designer-style tote. The size tote you want depends on the size T-shirt you purchase -- the larger the shirt, the larger the bag. With a pair of scissors cut the arms and neckline off the T-shirt. Here you can leave as is or sew a small hem using a needle and thread or sewing machine. To create the bottom of the bag, sew the tote together with needle and thread or sewing machine. Or, cut 1/2-inch strips along the entire bottom and tie them together on both front and back sides; try threading colored beads on ties for accents.
Decorative Paper Bags
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Turn a recycled bakery bag or brown paper bag into a stylish gift bag with this idea. Purchase scrapbook stickers at a local craft store. These come in detailed patterns like paisley or polka dot, or words and letters. Create a design or theme on the bag using stickers of your choice. Also, choose a ribbon to match or offset the theme stickers you decorate with. Then, fold the top of the bag down 2 inches. Using a hole punch, punch a hole all the way through the fold on both sides about a 1/2-inch down from the top. Thread occasion-style ribbon through the holes and tie a decorative bow. You can also decorate the bow with a candy cane, lollipop, toy or trinket. Use this idea to wrap holiday treats or creatively camouflage a birthday gift.
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Grocery Stamp Bag
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This bag idea is nice to take grocery shopping to avoid plastic bags or to carry items as a tote to school or work. You will need: a fabric bag like a cloth grocery sack or muslin bag, newspaper, fabric paint, paintbrush and various fruits and vegetables. Lay a few pieces of folded newspaper in the bag to keep paint from seeping through, and lay the bag on a flat surface. Next, cut fruits and vegetables in half. Pour a good amount of various colors of fabric paint onto newspaper. Press the fruit or vegetables in the paint then onto the bag, using them as a stamp. Create characters or people out of the fruit and vegetables using a fabric pen to draw faces, arms and legs, or stamp a scenic view of an apple tree or vegetable patch.
Cereal Box Gift Bags
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Recycle old cereal boxes in this gift bag idea. This is a fun and inexpensive way to fashionably give a gift. You will need: 1 empty cereal box, scissors, decorative paper, paintbrush and matte sealer. Cut off the cereal box flaps on top. From here you can cut out holes on each side of the box to serve as handles or use a hole punch and punch holes on all four sides and lace ribbon through for handles. Decorate the box with the paper you choose by cutting the paper to fit the box. Alternatively, you can rip the paper into pieces and collage it on or alternate equal-size strips, like polka dot and stripes, all the way around the box. Use matte sealer to secure the paper to the box in the fashion you decide. Sealer needs to stand 20 minutes to dry.
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References
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