About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
40 mins

DIY - Gift Bags out of junk mail!

Posted by Gretchen F. from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States • Published See Gretchen F.'s 14 projects »
PrintEmbed
  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 1
    Step 1

    Download my pattern for a small gift bag here! Cut out the pattern as shown. I made this one small, perfect for small gifts or gift cards, because the pattern prints on standard letter sized paper, and fits perfectly on most junk mail catalog pages. However, you can blow it up and make larger bags if you wish!

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 2
    Step 2

    Choose a piece of junk mail to turn into your bag. I chose this page of silverware from a catalog, because I am using this one to hold a wedding shower gift card.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 3
    Step 3

    Trace the pattern on to the chosen junk mail piece.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 4
    Step 4

    (Traced pattern) Tip: If you plan on making many bags, glue your template to a piece of cardboard (cereal boxes work great!), and it will last longer!

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 5
    Step 5

    Cut out the junk mail on the lines that you traced.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 6
    Step 6

    Flip your page over so that the inside of the bag is facing up. Fold up the larger flaps, which will be the bottom of your bag. The fold should form a relatively straight line when they are all folded.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 7
    Step 7

    Fold in the long, narrow side flap. This is where you will glue the bag together.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 8
    Step 8

    Fold the other 3 vertical corners of the bag in. Use the template as a guide as you go to make sure your edges are square.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 9
    Step 9

    Un fold your piece, and check to make sure your creases match up with the dashed lines on the pattern.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 10
    Step 10

    With the inside of the bag still facing you, fold down the top edge.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 11
    Step 11

    Un-fold the top edge. The crease you made will come in handy later. Flip over the piece so you can see the oustide of the bag.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 12
    Step 12

    Fold over your bag on the vertical lines that run down the center of the sides of the bag. These are the folds that enable your bag to fold flat. Use the template as a guide. It's also helpful to look at a paper grocery bag or existing gift bag to visualize which way all the folds go.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 13
    Step 13

    Make the angled folds on the sides. These also enable the bag to fold flat. (They are optional though, since you probably won't want it flat when you are using it anyway!)

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 14
    Step 14

    Add some glue to the narrow side flap.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 15
    Step 15

    Glue along the vertical side so your paper now forms a square tube.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 16
    Step 16

    Fold in the bottom flaps.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 17
    Step 17

    Glue the bottom flaps on the bag.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 18
    Step 18

    The bag standing up...

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 19
    Step 19

    Now you will utilize that last crease in your paper by carefully folding the top of the bag into the inside. This gives you a nice, finished edge around the opening. No need to glue.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 20
    Step 20

    Top edge of the bag, after it has been folded in...

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 21
    Step 21

    Using a hole punch, punch holes for the handles.

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 22
    Step 22

    Add some string for handles. I like to use remnants I've had lying around. You can also use the string off of gift bags that are ripped or no longer use-able, or use any other ribbon or string you have around the house.

    TIP: For an added touch, punch a hole in another piece of paper and string it through one of the handles for a tag!

  • How to make a gift bag. Junk Mail Gift Bags - Step 23
    Step 23

    Done! A beautiful, one of a kind gift bag made out of recycled junk mail! It's a perfect size to hold junk mail earrings! :-) And, you can even use shredded junk mail inside for protection and decorative packing.

Made this project? Share your version »

Comments

Dikla G.
Dikla G.
Looks great!!! However, don't see any option for downloading the pattern Sad
Can you please assist?
Thanks Happy
Reply
HotPinkCrayola
HotPinkCrayola · Holmfirth, England, GB · 97 projects
Finally a use for those pizza menus... Happy
Reply
Ra L.
Ra L.
Where is the template???
Reply
Gretchen F.
Gretchen F. · Minneapolis, Minnesota, US · 14 projects
Sorry, Cut Out & Keep didn't keep my link to the template! You can find it on my website here: http://www.junkmailgems.com/DIY_Giftbags.html
It's a pdf made to fit on a standard letter sized paper, however, if you have a larger printer you can blow it up and make bigger bags! Enjoy!
Reply
Dee C.
Dee C. · 1 project
Ahh I found the template on your website - thank you x
Reply
Dee C.
Dee C. · 1 project
I would like to try this too but the photo doesn't constitue a template as there are no measurements visible on it.
Reply
CraftingFairy
CraftingFairy · Milford, Connecticut, US · 10 projects
I relly want to try this but I cant find the template! Happy
Reply
Merriwen
Merriwen · Durham, England, GB · 2 projects
I love the bag!!! But cannot find your template :o(
Reply
Shivi
Shivi · Perth, Western Australia, AU · 14 projects
Neat idea! Will definietely be trying sometime!
Reply
Alyx
Alyx · 1 project
Love it!!!!
Reply
Load 1 more comments...

More Projects