Brown Paper packaging Tutorial

March 17th, 2009

I have a friend -Tiffany- who sends out her sold items from her shop using this:

I asked, she showed, and I share….of course

So here is a quick tutorial for everyone out there.

Go to your nearest hardware store…..Lowes, Home Depot…maybe even Ace…and get yourself some of this. You find it in the Paint area, next to the plastic tarp stuff. Comes in a big roll for around 7 bucks.

Open it up, and cut it to length. I even used my rotary and big ruler. That is sooo nice. I know, it dulls them….but easy!! It is a little curly and warpy….just deal with it.

I cut mine into 10 inch strips. Like so:

Then i cut them into 10 inch squares. This is the size i need. You would measure the item you are needing to send and add a few inches to each side for your 'seam allowance'

Fold in half:

Sew around 2 sides: Use a bit longer stitch length so you don't perferate the paper. You wouldn't want anyone taking a peak. I only sewed once since they aren't traveling anywhere. I would recommend sewing twice, you never know.

Stuff item inside:

No pic sorry- i had one, but it showed what i was stuffing and this is for a little quilt thingie coming up and didn't want to let the cat out of the bag so to speak. So trust me…stuff it and then sew the last side shut: Make sure that nothing is near the sewing edge. You don't want anything sewn to the bag.

And there you have it:

A bunch of little 'paper bags' packages

Don't look at me like that…she seriously sends this in the mail. I am thinking that if it is a flat item like her bibs and such, easy peasy. If it is something larger like my dolls or stuff…i might want to double up on the paper. Protect it just a bit more from getting in those eating, i mean sorting machines. Oh, and don't leave any strings…they love to eat those!

Alternate Applications:

* Birthday goodies/ baggies for kids to take home

* Presents

* Mailing Pictures/papers/magazines/ maybe even a skinny book

* anything you can think of

I am not really a paper person…I am a Cotton person

anyways. You could seriosly dress this package up!! Use some stamps, maybe even do some fancy stitching on it, the edges, in different colors even. I used boring white, lazy, didn't want to change it…. Oh, let you kids draw on them! Then you can use it for wrapping anything up cute like.

Amy

March 17, 2009 at 7:55 am

I’ve done this before when I haven’t had any envelopes and it’s super cute! I’ve used brown paper grocery sacks too, that’s for free

Nancy

March 17, 2009 at 11:06 am

What a super cute idea!! It sure would be fun…

Rachel@oneprettything.com

March 17, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Oh this is fantastic, I love it! I’ll be linking to this.

Cathy

March 17, 2009 at 1:16 pm

What a super idea! I mail a lot of patterns and CD’s and I think this would work great for both. Is this paper heavier than the plain brown craft paper? It sounds like it is cheaper. I’m so glad I found your blog and this fabulous idea! Thanks!

Cathy ♥

Melissa Crowe

March 18, 2009 at 5:47 am

I mail my orders in this same way, but I use recycled Whole Food bags–it’s free, and I feel good about reusing them. In order to protect the contents, depending what’s inside, I include a piece of rigid cardboard or wrap the piece in some bubble rap (also recycled if possible).

Stephanie

March 18, 2009 at 6:11 am

Just another reason for me to run out and buy a sewing machine. Thanks for the tutorial!

casserole

March 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm

Very cool project!! I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-y…gift-packagingtutorial-sew-your-small-gift-packaging/2009/03/18/
–Anne

Jedda

March 30, 2009 at 5:20 am

I love your blog and just found you via lazy girl. Thanks for the great ideas!

Ronda

March 30, 2009 at 6:12 am

What a clever idea! A large zig-zag stitch works nicely, too!

Megan

March 31, 2009 at 3:56 am

Beautiful and simple! Thanks so much for sharing. I always struggle with how to package things.

SiSi

April 8, 2009 at 6:21 am

Lovely idea – thanks for sharing:)

jeanamarie

April 13, 2009 at 11:30 pm

great idea! i’ve done this before with baking paper (not the waxy sort) and coloured thread to make a pretty wrapping for presents

Whosies

April 14, 2009 at 7:51 am

that sounds interesting. the string is way cute.

Anonymous

June 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm

perforate, not "perferate" and

"you would not want anyone taking a peak" peak is the top of a mountain; a quick look is a "peek"

June 12, 2009 at 3:08 pm

wow- didn't know this was a spelling contest. i thought it was just a tutorial. i will take the 'help' though and make it better next time.

disa

September 18, 2009 at 11:20 am

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kari_freshcutquilts

June 25, 2010 at 4:02 pm

I like how “Green” this project is. Imagine wrapping your Christmas gifts like this. Let the kids decorate until their hearts content and you “sew” wrap your gifts. Seems pretty good to me, and compostible!