I'm not really very crafty. Some might call me craft challenged, sooo honestly if I managed to make up these bags ANYONE can do it.

The secret is no sewing - yup just stick it - and you too can have fabulous ruffled gift bags.

Plus the bags are pretty low cost, paper crepe streamers are about a zillion* times cheaper than ribbon (* ok that statement may not be completely technically accurate I am not actually qualified to give reliable or realistic statistics ).

I used the bags in the picture as party loot bags to give out at my daughter's pink shabby chic princess party, but you could easily change the colors to make a fabulous baby shower, or even add extra layers and colors for a totally amazing rainbow ruffle.

Also the technique works just as well on plain brown paper bags without handles as it does these slightly fancier ones in the picture.

Once you start sticking the options are endless.

I have used double sided tape as I had it available, but you could easily use glue. If you are using glue instead of tape just use the glue in place of the tape in each step.

OK what are you waiting for....get sticking.

Equipment and Materials

paper bags
Crepe paper streamers in 2 different colors
lace
scissors
double sided tape or glue
extra glue (optional but recommended if you have used double sided tape)

Step 1: Adhere the Lace

Lay the bag down flat and adhere a length of double sided tape horizontally across the paper bag approximately halfway between the top and bottom of the bag.

Remove the protective backing from the tape and press a length of lace along the tape pressing down to secure it.

Cut excess lace away.

Step 2: Adhere the First Ruffle Layer

Adhere another length of double sided tape horizontally across the top edge of the lace.

Remove the protective backing from the tape and attach the crepe streamer on one end securing it to the tape in the center. In the picture I have attached the streamer to the left edge working my way toward the right side.

Around 1.5 cm's (1/2 ") from the edge fold the streamer back to make a pleated ruffle and then press it back down and continue towards the right edge folding the streamer back at regular intervals as shown in the pictures to give a ruffled appearance.

When you reach the end use scissors to cut away the excess streamer and make a neat edge.

Step 3: Adhere the Final Ruffle Layer

Take the second color streamer and using scissors cut down the middle of the streamer lengthways to make a thinner half sized streamer.

Adhere another length of double sided tape horizontally across the middle of the ruffled streamer which is already attached to the bag.

Remove the protective backing from the double sided tape and attach the half sized streamer and folding back to make a ruffled appearance using the same technique described in step 2.

When you reach the end use scissors to cut away the excess streamer and make a neat edge.

Optional - if you have used the double sided tape you might like to use the glue to secure the lace in spots to the bag to minimise the risk of the lace falling off.