Create a one-of-a-kind gift bag to wrap a present, surprise or treasure. This handcrafted watercolor paper gift bag bearing your own artwork also makes a creative decor accent or table centerpiece.

Item #440-3 Item #473-1

Art Supplies

· Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Paper
· 140 lb. Cold Press Sheet Stock, 22" x 30" (Item# 473-1)
· Cording
· Glue or Double-sided Tape
· Scissors or X-ACTO® Knife
· Glue
· Hole Punch and Score Tool
· Gift Bag Template (see below)

Makes a 10 1/4" high x 9" wide x 5" deep gift bag. Adjust size by reducing or enlarging the template.

Gift Bag Template


Click on image for full size template.

Instructions

1. Create an original painting or use an existing piece of art.
2. On the back side of the painting draw out the bag template. Measure in 1" from one side to create the first fold line. This will be the glue flap. Measure over 9" from the glue flap line to create side A. Then measure over 5" for side B and so forth following the dimensions above being sure that sides A and C are equal and sides B and D are equal.
3. Measure 4 3/4" from the bottom to create the fold line for the bottom of the bag.
4. Cut along the solid lines around the outside edges of the bag to create one large rectangle. Save the excess paper to make a gift tag.
5. Cut up the line starting at the bottom of the sheet up to the fold line to create the bottom (drawn as solid lines in the diagram). Cut off part of the flap at the bottom of the glue edge from the bottom of the sheet to the fold line for the bottom of the bag.
6. Using a pen or scoring tool, trace over the fold lines using pressure to create a score for easy folding. Fold along the dotted lines to create the shape of the bag.
7. Apply adhesive (glue or double-sided tape) along the painted side of the glue flap and adhere it to the opposite inside edge.
8. Fold in the bottom edge of the bag starting with B and D. Then fold in C and apply adhesive to the inside of A and fold over against C.
9. Punch two holes on sides A and C to hold the bag handle.
10. Create a gift tag using the excess paper. Cut out a small rectangle and fold in half. Punch a hole in the upper left-hand corner.
11. Thread cording through the hole in the gift tag and into the holes in the gift bag. Knot on the inside of the bag to hold the cording.
12. Fill with tissue paper and gifts.