How to Make a Brown Paper Bag Tree

Recycle old paper grocery and lunch bags by twisting them into a paper forest for your table, model railroad or dollhouse. Paper bag trees make interesting seasonal decorations, as well. You can make them with or without leaves. They can even be flocked to accent winter scenes. Brown paper bags can be twisted into trees in minutes.

Open lunch and grocery bags along their seams. Tear the bags into 3 inch wide strips. Scissor-cutting will not provide the ragged edges that will look the most natural.

Don heavy leather work gloves. Create an armature for your tree by cutting at least six strands of 16-gauge black steel rebar tie to twice the length of the desired height for your tree.

Remove your gloves, tie hair back in a bun and roll long sleeves above your elbows. Remove burrs from each end of each piece of rebar tie with a coarse bit on your high-speed, hand-held rotary tool.

Use needle-nose pliers to twist three strands of rebar tie to make two triple strands.

Twist the triple strands to make a single trunk, stopping halfway. Untwist the first inch of strands that form the single portion of the trunk and spread them apart to form a base.

Bend the two triple strands to form a split trunk. You should now have an armature with a 2-inch radius base consisting of six separated strands of black steel rebar tie and two triple-strand trunks extending from the six-strand main trunk.

Cut additional strands of black steel rebar tie in pairs to a length that is half the desired finished height of your tree. Smooth away the burrs on each end of each strand using a coarse bit on your high-speed, hand-held rotary grinder.

Twist the pairs together from end to end. Bend each twisted double strand to make limbs. Attach the limbs along the three-strand trunks as desired by twisting them around the three-strand trunks.

Shape your tree as desired by bending the trunks and limbs into position.

0Dip paper bag strips in white glue and pull the strips between your fingers to remove the excess. Twist the strips of paper bag around the tree, beginning at the base of the main trunk, until all the wire portions have been covered to a thickness that appeals to you.

1Allow the glue to dry for at least 24 hours. If desired, drape trees with Spanish moss and spray with any desired combination of green, yellow and red spray paint to make fall trees. Add a winter touch by draping trees with pulled-apart cotton batting and spraying them with liquid flocking. Add mini decorations if desired.

How to Make an Evening Bag

You can turn just about any style of purse into an evening bag if you make it with fancy fabric. Choose fabric that matches your outfit and has an elegant look and feel, such as satin, silk or a brocade. Follow the pattern directions to cut and sew the evening bag, or make a simple drawstring evening bag using the directions below. Use 1/4 inch seam allowance unless otherwise directed.

Make a Drawstring Evening Bag

Cut a 7 inch circle of fabric. You may want to trace a small plate or a round container.

Cut a piece of fabric 22 1/2 inches wide by 12-inches high. Fold the fabric in half right sides together. Stitch along the edge opposite the fold.

Fold the top edge of the fabric over about 1/2 inch. Press the fold flat, using a temperature appropriate for satin or the type of fabric you’re using.

Fold the top edge of the fabric over about 1-inch. Press the fold flat and pin it in place. This will be the casing for the drawstring.

Topstitch along the lower edge of the folded fabric, leaving an opening 1 to 2 inches wide.

Pin the fabric to the outer edge of the circle, with the fabric right sides together. Sew the fabric to the outer edge of the circle. Turn the evening bag right side out.

Insert a safety pin in the end of the ribbon or cord. Push the safety pin into the opening in the casing.

Push the safety pin through the casing until the ribbon or cording is all the way through. Pull the ribbon or cording until the ends are about equal.

Tie a knot in the ribbon or cording so that it’s snug against the top of the bag, without pulling the top of the bag closed.

0Tie a bow in the ends of the ribbon or cording.