Craft a Handmade Basket from a Grocery Bag

This project was made using a paper grocery bag that was made from recycled paper products. Now by using the grocery bag to make this basket the paper will be repurposed and recycled yet again. How green is that?

The paper bag is cut into strips which are woven around a base to create a small basket. The basket is suitable to use as an Easter basket or just as a small basket around the house.

Few materials are needed for this project. One large grocery bag may make two small baskets. It is a fairly simple process and may be something that an adult and child could create together. The base for weaving the paper strips around should be slightly larger on the top and smaller near the base for easy removal of the basket.

Materials:

Paper grocery bag or gift bag

Paper glue/craft glue

Masking tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Planter or other base for form

Decorative items

Step One:

Flatten and cut off the bottom of the grocery bag. Cut along the seam line to make one long rectangular piece of paper from the bag. Refold the bag and lay it on a table or flat surface.

Step Two:

Measure the height and circumference of the base.

Step Three:

Draw lines every one-half inch across the width of the bag from the top edge to a length the height of the base plus three inches. Cut the strips and set aside. Cut two solid squares or circles slightly larger than the base and set aside. Cut two one inch strips to be used for handles (or save the handles from the grocery bag as I did).

Step Four:

Place one bottom square or circle on the table. Glue strips around the bottom; close but not touching each other. Glue the other bottom piece on top of the base/strips to sandwich the ends between the paper bottoms. Allow to dry.

Step Five:

Fold the strips toward the base to crease and then flat against the table again. Place the base on the bottom and bring the paper strips to the top of the base form; tape the strips along the top of the form not stretching them tightly.

Step Six:

Begin to weave paper strips in and out around the bottom strips; cut and glue the ends when a complete row is woven. Repeat weaving and gluing strips to create rows to the top edge of the form. When no more strips can be woven into place glue a strip around the top edge and allow to dry. Fold the top edges of the basket strips down across the solid strip and glue in place. Allow to dry. Cut off the excess folded strips along the edge of the solid strip. Glue another solid strip on top of the folded strips to finish the top edge. Allow to dry.

Step Seven:

Glue a handle or handles on the inside of the basket top. Allow to dry. Glue a solid paper strip around the top inside edge of the basket to finish the inside edge.

Enjoy your basket!