Natural and Sustainable

Materials needed:

1. Assorted snack wrapper such as peanut packages, small chip and cookie bags.
2. 1 roll of silver adhesive-backed contact paper
3. Ruler or quilters square
4. Scissors
5. Rotary cutter and self healing mat (optional)
6. Sewing machine
7. Coordinating thread
8. Heavy-duty needle
9. 1 yd. white webbing, cut in half

What to do:

Determine first the most visually interesting portion of each snack wrapper, cut out into rectangles and squares. Cut out a few extras in case ripping occurs on the sides. Set aside.

From the contact paper, cut out e following pieces: (2) 9″ x 11″; (2) 4″ x 9″; and (1) 6″ x 10″.

Starting with one of the 9″ x 11″ pieces, lay the contact paper out on a table with the adhesive side up and carefully pull-off the backing. Since the paper tends to curl in onto itself, it’s helpful to place paperweights on all four edges of each pieces.

Leaving a little less than a 1/2″ border around the edges of the contact paper pieces, lay out different snack wrappers next to each other as if you were putting together a puzzle. Use your fingers to smooth down any air bubbles. If you choose to overlap any wrappers, you will need to glue down those areas, otherwise, the contact adhesive will be enough to hold down the whole pieces.

Use scissors to snip off 1/2″ squares from all four corners of the contact paper. Then, fold over each side 1/2″ onto the side with wrappers. This will create a clean, finished edge.

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for remaining 9″ x 11″ (back) and 4″ x 9″ (sides) contact paper pieces. You now have what you need to finish the bag.

Remove the backing on 6″ x 10″ pieces and fold it in half lengthwise, creating a double layer for the bottom of the bag.

Using a sewing machine, heavy-duty needle and 1/2 ” seam allowance, top-stitch the top edges of the front, back and side pieces.

With wrapper sides out and 1/4″ seam allowance, sew the front, sides, back and bottom together. Take it slow at first because the contact paper may slip. Next is the handles. With the front side facing you, measure 1 1/2″ in from each top corner. Using one piece of webbing, place the ends on the inside of the bag at the measured spots. Top stitch on the “right” side. Repeat on the back side with the second piece of webbing.

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