paper goodie bags {tutorial}
Let’s talk about a simple little project today.

I received this darling pink bag from Whisker Graphics a while back and just couldn’t toss it. I read on their website that they will be offering packaging supplies soon and if this pink stripy bag is part of the collection, then we are in for some delightful new packaging options.
Anyway, when I needed a quick goodie bag for the cousins at Audrey’s party, I decided to make my own.
Want to make some too? Oh good.
Here is what you will need:

STEP ONE: print design on paper and trim border {see below for my free download}

Just trim the bottom and one side.

STEP TWO: fold in the sides

Nothing perfect here … just fold in each side until they overlap the white border that you didn’t trim.

STEP THREE: glue flaps together

STEP FOUR: fold bottom up about an inch

STEP FIVE: glue bottom flap closed

STEP SIX: glue bottom flap up


STEP SEVEN: trim the top of the bag with a decorative edge


Then fill with something sweet

fold down the top and add a sticker to hold

Cute as can be.

If you would like to make blue striped bags, please feel free to download my template.
Would you like more color options? I’ve created a digital file with nine more colors to choose from:

{I used regular text weight printer paper for my bags, but you could also try a heavier weight if you prefer}
















































Ariel Fishel
Love this! So cute and simple. Thanks for sharing
{darlene}
now how easy was that? another great project, girl!!
-{darlene} @
fieldstonehilldesign
Cyndy
Fabulous!! Love it and what a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing! Cheers! Cyndy
Andrea
Love this project. Can’t wait to try it!
Tonia
Absolutely adorable. I cannot wait to do this. Thanks for making these great tutorials!
Dina
What an adorable idea! Thank you for the download! Now of course I have a question (I always do!)-did you freehand cut your round “stickers” out and then glue them to your bag, or is there a cutter out there in that round shape, or are there Avery sticker labels or something?
emily
I used Avery round sticker labels. Just print your design directly on the sticker paper and you’re set!
Priscilla
Oh, thank you for sharing your striped paper! All of the possibilities……;)
Meg
Another question, how do you design the labels? From what I’ve read Photo Shop is a good program to design different labels?
emily
To design my labels, I opened a Word template for Avery labels {#5293}, copy & pasted the grid lines into Illustrator, then added my background and monograms. You can also do it directly in Word, Publisher or I’m sure Photo Shop would also work. I’ll work on doing a tutorial for this one …
Jill Leaming
Thank you sooo much for sharing this! My son’s 1st birthday is this saturday. I am so doing this! You could do it with wrapping paper too huh?
pat allen
Emily, everything you make is just lovely! Her party supplies were adorable, you did a great job!!
jami nato
i feel like i need to make a goody bag of something. maybe just cereal…anything. ok maybe i’ll save it for a party. ha.
Meghan Beck
It’s my kids birthday in a couple weeks, this is perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Ashley
oh thank you so much for sharing this Emily!! I can’t wait to use this for my sweet Carmela’s 1st birthday in April!! you are so creative!
Mary Manning
I never would’ve thought to make goodie bags like this! They are super cute and look really easy! Thank you for sharing… I’m definitely using these!
cindy
WOW! you always amaze me! I am going to start thinking of all the little gifts I can give using these little bags. so sweet! thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KellyB
So, So Cute! Thank you
Audrey’s Birthday was spectacular….so special.
I also have a question……I’m looking for a good paper cutter and don’t know anything about them. Any suggestions?
Danielle Gsoell
Do you have a recommendations for a printer?
emily
I use a canon pixma ip8500 – a photo printer with 8 ink cartridges. It is discontinued, but I’ve heard that the i9900 is a good option too.
Kim
You hit it out of the park…. again! Yay you!! Can you tell us more about the bird silhouette on Audrey’s birthday board and what is on the paper in the lower left corner. It is blue, and maybe a bird?
Kimberly Moore
CUTE idea! I’m considering throwing a party just so I can use this tutorial.
Thanks for the free download! I’m definitely going to send my readers over here to check it out too.
Shannon
I LOVE these and am trying to think of a need for them! I may just give a few “just because” gifts to co-workers. What paper cutter do you use? Do you like it and use it for all your projects? I hate mine and want a new one.
emily
I have a fiskars rotary cutter {http://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Paper-Trimmer-%252d-12%2522/dp/B000YAJHVE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1298497229&sr=8-5}. It works great and you can change out the blades which I like. Highly recommended by me!
Lyss
YOU ARE AMAZING! I anxiously await each post! Thank you so much for sharing! you inspired me to make my future SIL bridal shower invites! Nothing as good as yours, but they did turn out
Amoreena
LOVE this project! I want to use it at a baby shower that I’m throwing. Thanks, Emily.
rachel
Emily, I can’t believe you made those cute bags. Amazing!!
Melanie Yates
Emily! I absolutely LOVE every one of your projects. I have a 7 week old and am planning her baptism lunch and I think I am going to use these bags for a happy for everyone who comes. She also has older brothers who already think she hangs the moon!
Lori
Great project! I can use it for so many things! Thanks!
Kimm
Have you thought of adding “party planner” to your list of part-time jobs?
So cute, I love every thing about it!
Deana
I love it! You prob could use some heavy weight kraft paper too- options are endless and ont break the bank which I {heart}! great tutorial –
Kimberly Jones
These are so adorable! I think they would be perfect for favors at bridal showers and weddings. I just featured them on DIY Weddings at Craft Gossip. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jo
Love, love, love this idea! Simple beautiful is always the best ~ thanks for sharing.
Jo
Laura
LOVE this !! What kind of printer do you have ? It looks so good
emily
I have a canon pixma 1P8500 – it is a photo printer with 8 ink cartridges. It is now discontinued, but I have heard that the i9900 is also good.
Stacey Buescher
I have been following your blog for a while now, but have never commented! Where did you find those stickers that you used to secure the bags shut? I have been looking for circle adhesive stickers to print on for a long time, but have had no luck! An insight would be helpful!
Nicki
Oh my goodness! Your blog is adorable! A friend of mine over at http://thehenpeckedhouse.blogspot.com/ mentioned you in a recent blog post. You are so talented! I’m glad I found this blog!
GLORIA
Thank you for this Tutorial 1 I love it and I download it . Many thanks, gloria
Stacey
So pretty Emily! I downloaded the paper, will use it for a bag when I need one. But in the mean time, I made a pretty sign with it that says {it is grace.}! Thanks so much for your inspiration!
Katie Hanchinamani
could you make a CHEVRON stripe paper collection! I will be the first in line to buy it!!
Pretty pretty please with a cherry on top!?
i also did just get this stripy collection! so excited to make things!!
Susan McLain
I love the idea for the paper bags! I’m currently planning my wedding and they would be great to hold wedding favors! I look forward to seeing more ideas
Melissa Mills
I LOVE these! This is a fantastic site. Thanks so much for your tutorials! I’ll be back for sure!
Kim Allen
I have been following your blog now for awhile and love your means of communication. Can I ask how you set up your email “newsletter?” I love that it is simple and it links straight to your website. I work with a non-profit called Karama (we support African artisans by marketing their products here in the States while giving proceeds to Young Life of Africa) and we are trying to set up a similar concept to stay in communication with our supporters without doing a full-out monthly newsletter. Any wisdom you can pass along?
Melissa Crouch
Loved the simplistic beauty and whimsy of your bay-doll’s first birthday party! You are inspiring.
teresa
Everything is always adorable here….great idea. Love it
Have a wonderful day
Krysta
I second the request for a chevron stipe collection!
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rici preuit
Very sweet. Do you sell the stickers by any chance? :0)
Tora
what an easy way to make lovely paper-bags, thanks for sharing the downloadable file and this tut.
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Emily~
I just used this paper bag idea this past weekend for Paisley’s 2nd Birthday Party. We had a Shabby Chic Farm Theme. Anyway~ I downloaded the free “blue striped paper” template, used larger paper, lined them with waxed paper and made them into my PB&J and Egg Salad Sandwich Bags! A-DOR-A-BLE! Thanks again for thinking of one more way that I can be detailed! LOVE IT!
PS~ I went to APU too:)
Kar
Make handmade
Great tutorial, i love it, thanks for sharing
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aeni
Hi!!im spanish so sorry for my poor english.
I would like to know what font do you used for the stickers.
It is amazing!
Thaks so much.
Bye from Spain!!!
Beauty Expression
Fabulous tutorial! We are starting our fashion accessory business and since we are just starting out we need to think crafty. This tutorial is a great solution to packaging and branding. By the way, I loved reading your story of how you built your business, sigh….one day.