Aunt Annie's Crafts logo

Aunt Annie's Crafts

Craft projects and more!

Boxes and Bags

Show your creativity!

Boxes and Bags

Show your creativity!
 
advertisement
Boxes and Bags

Party Favor Bag with Locking Top

A little bag for a treat!
Locking top favor bag
What you will make:

In this project, learn how to make a small party favor bag that is self-closing. These easy to make bags are ideal for packaging small party favors of food, candy, soaps or jewelry. They are gusseted with a top flap that folds into the opposite top pleat to lock the bag closed. Choose from four sizes of printable patterns with or without the colorful dot designs.

Related craft: To make larger bags from wrapping paper, see the Easy Gift Bags craft project.

Here's what you need:
  • White or colored computer paper
  • Glue or double-sided tape
  • Scissors
  • Optional:  Craft knife, cutting mat, ruler, empty ballpoint pen or bone folder, odds and ends to decorate the bags or make tags

This project is rated EASY to do.

Share this craft with friends and family
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share with a pin on Pinterest Share using email
Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
advertisement

How to Make a Locking Top Party Favor Bag

Read all of the steps before starting.
Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Choose a bag to make. Download and print the pattern. The medium bag is 3½" tall, the small bag is 2¾" tall and the squat bag is 2½" by 2½". The bag sides, front, and back extend from the bag bottom in the center of this pattern. The pieced bag is 6" tall and has two patterns with four pieces that must be glued together before doing the assembly.

Tip: Make a more decorative bag with wrapping paper, marbled paper, or oriental paper. You may want to transfer the pattern to the decorative paper before proceeding. You can easily make the bag from two colors of paper by cutting the sides and main bag piece from different papers. Make glue tabs on the side pieces so they can be attached to the base of the bag.

Patterns for Locking-Top Party Favor Bag

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter-size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Cut
 

Cut around the pattern on the outline. Tip: The pieced bag has four parts—front, back and two sides.

Tip: Using a straight edge and craft knife will make some of the cutting easier, but be sure to protect the table with a cutting mat or thick piece of cardboard. Caution: Be careful. Craft knives are sharp and should not be used by children.

Step 3: Glue (Pieced Bag only)

Glue the two parts of the front and back strip together—half of the bag bottom is on each piece. Glue the bag sides to the strip on either side of the bag bottom. Glue so the tabs are inside the bag.

Glue parts of pieced bag together
Step 4: Pre-fold
Prepare to fold

With the printed side down, fold back and unfold on the center fold line and the angled fold lines—marked here in blue. Fold forward and unfold on all other fold lines—marked in red. To make folding easier, score the fold lines first.

To score: Use a ruler and the bone folder or empty ballpoint pen to make an indent—not a cut—on each fold line.

Step 5: Fold and Glue
Fold and glue

Gently bring the sides, front, and back up into a bag shape. Be sure the glue tabs are on the inside. Glue the tabs to the sides with a good craft glue.

Step 6: Fold Gussets
Fold sides and form gussets 

Pinch the sides in from the bottom up on the fold lines. You should be able to fold the bag flat.

Step 7: Locking Top
Fold and tuck in top flap 

Open the bag up and place whatever you want inside. Fold the locking flap over and tuck it into the opposite gusset.

Step 8: Decorate

Finish your bag with a cutout or decorate the bag any way you like. A cutout glued to a paperclip  doubles as a decoration and another gift.

Your bag is now complete!
Locking top favor bag - decorated

Keep up with Aunt Annie's Crafts on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, RSS feed or with our newsletter.

advertisement
 
Privacy Policy | About | Contact © 2022, AuntAnnie.com