Large Gift Bags

 Hi Crafters

I am all about the gift boxes and bags at the moment. I have been crafting away making different sized large carriers and medium size wide carriers to take those wide candles and jars.

I will share these with you over the next couple of weeks as well as some boxes I have made to sell in my Etsy shop.

These gorgeous carrier bags have been made from  2 sheets of 12 x 12 patterned card and 1 sheets of plain 12 x 12 or you could use 2 sheets of A4 

Another great idea from Sam Calcott, you have probably noticed I am quite a fan.

However hers close with this ribbon drawn through the two sides of the bag, looks good but you have to take the ribbon out to place the items in the bag, so I have decided the next ones I make will have handles either side and a different closure. I will post my new version in a couple of weeks .

Meantime to make this you will need:

2 sheets of 12 x 12 patterned card stock

1 sheet of 12 x 12 plain/coordinating card stock

piece of ribbon approximately 22" long 

The patterned sheets you score at 3" If there is a pattern to your card place your card on the scoreboard with pattern sideways so the 3" score line is at the base of the card.

With the plain card cut 2 pieces 4" wide, 1 piece 3" wide leaving 1" strip for the handle 

The 4" pieces are the side panels and score these at 0.5", 3.5" 

Turn and score at 3", 4.5", Turn back and score at 2" to the first score line using a ruler and score tool score from the base of the 2" line diagonally both sides to the next score line, this is scored to the inside of the 1/2" border 

Cut off the 1/2" borders on bottom 3" panel and taper the centre section.

The 3" piece score at 1" and corner the bottom edge, as this is the front panel. Burnish all score lines on all pieces, particularly the scored lines on the side panel as this allows the bag to be fold down for storage

To put together

Glue the 2 patterned pieces together along the 3" base piece              Open up and lay the side panels each side gluing down the the 3" tapered section so it butts to the outer line of the 3" base and can then fold up easily                                                                                 Next glue or tape the side 1/2" sections and pull up the main section front matching the tops and then running down the side. Do front and back seperately as it makes it easier to line up the papers when dealing with one side at a time.

The bag should fold over to store flat

Adhere the 3" panel over the front of the bag. Once in place mark where you want to punch out the holes for the ribbon to be threaded front and back ensuring they line up before punching them out, thread the ribbon through and tie a bow

Lastly corner the handle strip both end lay to the outer side of the back holes and and adher down. This is best if you secure one side first and then curve the handle over to the other side and secure. You could use brads but you woudl need to cover the inside of the bag over the brads so they do not catch with some card circles. 

Some of my bags will be available to buy on Ebay. ANd I am looking forward to making my Vintage Christmas gift bags using the new Natures Garden papers from Crafters Companion. As I write this page it is 16weeks to Christmas, so time to get making.

Happy Crafting 

Dee