Button BAGS

AUTHOR ALICE VINTEN RAIDS THE SEWING BOX TO MAKE PRETTY GIFT PACKAGING

These bags are perfect for hard-to-wrap, awkwardshaped gifts. This project uses one of my favourite paper craft tools: shape-cutting scissors. These are readily available online and in many craft shops. They are excellent for giving homemade projects a professional, pretty finish. Just remember to put your gifts inside the bags before you decorate and seal them!

1 For the striped bag, I used scalloped edge shapecutting scissors along the top edge, then folded it over to make a flap. I secured the flap with a small blob of PVA glue, before adding a button to the top. I then decorated the bag with more buttons to give the arrow-heart effect.

2 If you have patterned paper, a simple way to decorate is to follow the pattern of the paper with buttons. The yellow zig-zag paper I have used for my second bag is ideal. I have left the top of this bag open and simply added a scalloped edge.

3 The third bag is simple, yet pretty. I used a flap of paper (secured on the rear of the bag) to make a fastening at the top and added a button for detail.

You will need: Ready-made gift bags • Coloured or patterned • paper if you want to make your own bags (Alice has a project to make your own bags in the book) • Clear sticky tape • Glue stick • Buttons • Scissors

MadAboutButtons:FiftyCreativeCraft ProjectsUsingButtons, by Alice Vinten, published by New Holland, RRP $ 29.99. Available from bookstores or online at www.newhollandpublishers.com