Comments on: How can I make a gift bag reusing and recycling stuff?

By: RainDots

RainDots — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:18:24 +0000

The Re-bag! A bag made out of plastic grocery bags (too bag no one uses them anymore….wait, what am I saying?) But next time you see one in a bush or blowing down the street, catch it!

http://www.cocoknits.com/knit/garments/accessories/rebag.html

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:35:33 +0000

As mentioned above, drawstring bags are easy to make, and a bit more decorative if they use a quilt block ( and it’s a good way to use the extra block). I’ve been making and giving such bags. Sometimes we get them back within the family get-together, but usually I include them as part of the gift. A bandana makes a good furoshiki-style wrapper, too. Once could also decoupage boxes and bins in which groceries come for re-useable decorated containers. One could also use a dish-towel for a kitchen-related gift.

By: Mary Horesh

Mary Horesh — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:10:07 +0000

For Christmas, I set up at Birmingham Friends of the Earth, “Its a wrap”, a craft group devoted at making reusable wrapping, see our blogs http://birminghamfoe.blogspot.com/search/label/itsawrap. We mostly made bags that could be reused, especially wine bottle size. Also CD bags, inspired by a Thai project Porgai- photographed in the blogs.

It was interesting to see Lush had a Christmas campaign which you could pay for your present to be wrapped in a vintage scarf. Find out more at the link above.

By: HuntingWabbits

HuntingWabbits — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:33:25 +0000

My guess would be to carefully take apart a bag at the seams and trace the template to another sheet of paper and fold it like usual.

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:25:21 +0000

Oh I meant “IF you tie it up…”!!

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:24:58 +0000

I use brown paper and newspaper. I you tie it up with pretty ribbon or make a decoration out of buttons, beads or flowers, it looks arty rather than cheap!

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:16:47 +0000

Scarves wrapped furoshiki style would be pretty. I’ve wrapped with brown paper or newspapert then foraged in my yard for dried winter plants to adorn my gift with. It makes a very beautiful and earthly wrapping, I think.

By: Kara

Kara — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:11:08 +0000

I like to make this little bag: http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com/my_little_mochi/2005/05/origami_pocket_.html The original is made of fabric, but I usually use a full sheet of newspaper and the folding doubles the thickness so it’s more sturdy. Tape up the sides, and you can square off the bottom a bit if you need to.

The other thing I’ve done is to take apart a battered old store-bought gift bag for a template. Once I figured out how it went together, I started adjusting the size.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:14:29 +0000

Look at this: http://sparenundrecyceln.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/recycling_geschenkverpackung/
It is made from the inner part of a coffee package and nets from onions and oranges.