How to Make Baskets From Paper Grocery Bags

Disassemble bag by removing handles first. Then cut down a corner seam to remove the bottom. Discard bottom and handles.

Lay bag flat and measure 1 ¼ inch strips along the length. You'll need 27 strips.

Cut out strips with scissors.

Glue 8 of the strips together forming 4 long strips. Fold in half (print side in). Set aside. You will use these to weave around your bag later.

Fold 12 of the remaining strips in half, print side in.

Glue 6 folded strips next to one another onto the middle of an extra (unfolded) strip. Do this with the remaining 6 folded strips so you have two sets. The wider strips will act as braces as you weave.

Weave the two sets together.

Tighten your weave to the center of the strips. Use the braces as guidelines forming a square.

Trim the excess from the braces and fold sides up.

Using the four longer strips, weave 3 sides of the basket.

Before you weave the final wall, trim the excess from the first strip where you began the weave. Use a small dab of glue to secure. Weave the remainder of the strip and leave the excess long. Trim the opposite end of the second strip and weave the remainder so the excess of the strip points in the opposite direction. Do this with all four strips.

Once all four long strips are woven, you can back thread the excess strip and secure with a small dab of glue under the fold.

Trim off braces and fold tips down, alternating directions.

Tuck the tips under the top row of the basket.

To make the handle, fold the 3 remaining strips into thirds. Glue together and secure with a clip.

Braid strips together. Glue ends down and secure with clip until dry.

Remove clips and place under weave on the inside of the basket. Secure with a small dab of glue.