Yes, you read that right, a gift bag box!
The perfect solution for those hard-to-wrap presents that will also stop your family and friends sneaking an early peek!
This gift bag box is super simple and is constructed from a single sheet of A4 paper (although you could easily scale the size up or down to suit).
(My bag boxes pictured have are made from Kaisercraft kraft cardstock and Kaisercraft ‘Pop’ collection ‘Polka’ paper)
These boxes are great for Christmas, but also make nice birthday gift wrapping too!
The best thing, while they look like a box, you can carry them into the party by the bow (handle), just like a bag!
I promise once you’ve made your first couple, you’ll be able to whip up more in under 10 minutes! – Perfect for those last minute gifts!
For this project you will need:
- 1 sheet of A4 size paper or cardstock (not too thick) (or if using 30x30cm paper, cut it to 21 x 29.7cm)
- A scoring board
- A ruler
- Glue
- A long piece of Ribbon
Ready, set, go!..
Step One:
- Place paper in landscape position on scoring board
- Score all the way across at 5, 14, 19 and 28cm
Step Two:
- Rotate your paper to portrait position (with the 1.7cm rectangle being at the top)
- score all the way across at 5cm and 18.5cm
Step Three:
- Rotate paper back to landscape position (same way you scored originally)
- Score down the middle of each of the 5cm wide rectangles to the second horizontal score line (instead of all the way across)
- To perform the above, score at 2.5cm and 16.5cm (remember not to go all the way across – but if you do, don’t despair your bag box will still turn out fine)
Step Four:
- Now it gets a little trickier.. but I know you can do it!
- We need to score angles in the top 2.5cm wide row, in the four 2.5cm wide columns
- Score from the top of your page on the 2.5cm line, on a downward angle to the corner of the first horizontal score line
- Repeat on the other side of the 2.5cm score line to the other horizontal corner
- Repeat for the other section also
(Tip: Take a look at the images which will make this much clearer)
(Tip: to help score the angles on your score board, line a ruler up straight with a line on the boardand rotate your page until the angle is straight according to the ruler, then score!)
Step Five:
- We now need to repeat the above step (four) at what will be the lower side of your bag too.
- Where your first horizontal score line is (5cm from bottom of page in landscape position), measure with a ruler 2.5cm upwards from this line and make a small mark.
- Score down on an angle each side of this 2.5cm mark to the corner of the horizontal scoreline (same as in step four)
(Tip: As this section is not near the edge of the page, you may find it easier to score using only a ruler (no board)- You can still score on a normal cutting mat/ surface, just apply more pressure and go back and fourth a few times)
Step Six:
- We are all done scoring!.. Well done!.. Now grab your scissors
- in the lower 5cm wide row, cut up the vertical score lines dividing each section (but only cut up to the first 5cm horizontal score line)
- Cut away the small rectangle in the corner
Step Seven:
- We are now going to fold the score lines
- In landscape position, start with the 1.7cm score line
- Fold the first line upward (mountain), then the next is another mountain, then a valley (downward), then a mountain, another mountain, and a valley.
(Tip: To put it simply, the 2.5cm scorelines should be folded ‘valley’ (downwards) and the lines surrounding the 9cm columns should be mountains)
Step Eight:
- Fold both the top and bottom horizontal score lines ‘mountain’ (edges to inside of the box)
- You should now be able to see your ‘bag box’ taking shape
Step Nine:
- You can now glue your box together – You should be able to see naturally how it joins together.
- Apply glue to the ‘outside’ of the 1.7cm ‘flap’ and the inside of the two lower 5cm squares and the 9cm rectangle between them
- Fold so that the lower 9cm rectangle is on the inside and stick the two lower squares to this
- Cover the squares with the other 9cm rectangle
- Adhere the 1.7cm flap to the inside of the opposing side
(Tip: folding in this sequence ensures you have a neat fold at the bottom of the ‘front’ of your bag box, without any visible joins)
Step 10:
- In the side (valley) folds of your bag box, punch or poke a small hole at 5cm down from the top
- Take your piece of ribbon inside the bag box, and thread each side of the ribbon out each side of the box (alternatively, if you do not want the ribbon running across the inside of your bag box you can simply knot your ribbon on the inside of each hole to retain it that way instead)
Step 11:
- Push the top folds of your box down so that they sit flat against the top of the box with triangles pointing out each side
- Fold the triangles downwards on the outside of the box (I suggest pinching or burnishing along this score to help keep them in place
- Take the ends of your ribbon and run the ribbon over the edge folds and tie in a bow in the centre at the top of the box
..And you’re done!
Great work!
Now just add any gift tags or embellishments you like!
(The tag on my spotty bag was made from the opposite side of the off-cut as this was originally a 30x30cm piece, the tag on the kraft bag was a leftover from my Mint Wishes collectables)
