Paper Mini Gift Bag Pattern

This pattern is so simple I’m almost embarrassed to publish it. I designed this as a gift bag to coordinate with some darling note cards I made using Microsoft Picture It! Publishing 2001, but it could be used for any small gift - like jewelry or a few pieces of expensive chocolate.

The pattern is also easily adaptable. The only limitation is the size of your paper.

The bag is made using one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock and two 10 inch pieces of thin black satin cord. (A heavy card stock works best.) The matching gift tag is 4 x 2 ¼ inches folded in half to make a 2 x 2 ¼ inch tiny card. Here is the bag before assembly.

Below is the pattern. This uses a full 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet of paper. Since very few computer printers will print to the edge, the easiest way to copy the pattern is to print click on it. Send it to your printer. Then take it to a copy center and have it enlarged to fit exactly fit.

Simply put your design on the sheet of paper. Note the direction of the graphics. One is “upside down” because the center horizontal strip will form the bottom of the bag.

Cut along the four horizontal lines.

Score and fold on the dotted lines.

Use a bone folder or other smoothing tool to form clean creases.

Punch out the holes for the cord. Make your matching gift tag; fold; and punch a hole in the upper left corner.

With the design facing up as above, take a glue stick and apply glue to the two upper side pieces and the center tabs. Fold the bag into shape and press the sides neatly together.

String the gift tag onto one of the satin cords and run the cord through the holes of your bag’s “front”. Tie it on the inside by grasping both ends together then looping them into an overhand bow knot. This knot holds best with the satin cord.

Thread the cord for the back of the gift bag and knot in the same manner.

For extra security, I put a few drops of Elmer’s glue on the knots and press them to the inside of the bag. This not only holds the knots together but also holds them in place so they can’t slip through the holes and show on the outside of your pretty bag.

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