Use old wallpaper samples to make individual gift bags.
| Guests of 7 and over can make & fill their own! | |
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You will need two contrasting strips of paper about 40cm x 10 cm; the proportions are more important than the exact size and they need to be roughly four times longer than they are wide. Strong contrasts between deep & light colours or patterns & plain look most effective. A sharp pair of scissors and/or a craft knife helps too!
Hold the strips together and fold in half widthways and crease. Fold in half again lightly, then unfold. Seperate the strips, re-fold once widthways and fold in half lengthways, then fold again. Unfold so the strips are just folded once widthways; you should have three light creases running up them and one across. Cut from the folded edge up the creases to one-third of the way between the top fold and the top edge; this will give you four strips joined at the top. Holding the uncut ends in each hand, start to weave the strips together, not over and under but passing the strips through or outside of the opposite strip - this is easier than it sounds, but will probably take a bit of practice the first time you try it! Keep weaving until all the strips are in place - sometimes I have to use a craft knife to lengthen the cuts a little to fit the last couple of strips in.
You should now have a roughly heart-shaped chequerboard item that opens out into a bag. Taking care not to cut close to the tops of your previous cuts, trim the tops to create whatever shape appeals. Add handles made from folded strips of one of the papers, or of raffia, ribbon or garden twine. I like to attach handles carefully, using a hole-punch, split pins and binder-rings as these bags are actually quite tough and will last - made with vinyl wallpaper offcuts they are almost indestructible!
You can also make these with felt or fleece or any sturdy material that won't fray, and decorate them with buttons, beads or sequins - the only limit is your imagination!
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You could make tiny bags in Christmassy foil-covered card with pipecleaner handles to decorate your tree... perhaps with a chocolate inside? |
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