Wrapping gifts with beautiful paper can be fun, but sometimes a present really calls for a gift bag instead. But since you have crafting super powers, you can make even a simple bag beautiful like my DIY floral gift bags! We’ve made a handmade gift bag from scratch, but this project starts with a store bought bag to save time. I’ll show you how to add fun 3D cardstock flowers and personalize them with vinyl!
Watch the full step-by-step video showing you exactly how to create your own DIY floral gift bag premiering during Maker Academy Weekend 2024, November 7-10, 2024. Get your FREE ticket to this event by clicking below:
Did you know ADVANCE with JenniferMaker annual members get a free 2024 VIP pass and instant access to the 2024 Maker Academy Weekend projects? Join now!
I’m always amazed at how a simple bundle of paper flowers can make so many plain objects special, even reusable gift bags! Styling bags to match your recipient with different flower and material colors is extra fun!
My download files include poinsettia and poppy-inspired flower arrangement options, but you can mix and match elements to make your own flower gift bag. You can follow along for the original look or adjust it to fit your preferences. I love using foil cardstock, but feel free to experiment with other kinds and details!
I used my Cricut Maker 3 to cut all the pieces, but you can use any of the Cricut cutting machines, even the small Joy! I’ll show how to easily cut and assemble the pieces, and even how to add adhesive vinyl to paper without damaging it!
The bags I used are strong enough to carry a pound or two, but test yours before gifting something heavy like a bottle of wine. You don’t want the side seam to open or the bottom to fall out!
These DIY floral gift bags are the perfect way to use your crafting stash of fun papers and vinyl, too! Contrasting styles are easy to create with DIY bags like these, so get creative. You can make a DIY gift bag for Mother’s Day, birthdays, showers, or any special day that calls for gifting!
Let me show you how to make DIY floral gift bags! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more, there is no additional cost)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials to Make DIY Floral Gift Bags
View my Amazon shopping list for the exact items I used!
- One (1) 8″ x 10″ Paper Gift Bag
- One (1) Sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ Red Foil Cardstock
- Three (3) Sheets of 12” x 12” Glitter Cardstock (I used White, Black and Gold)
- One (1) Sheet of 8.5” x 11” Green Foil Cardstock
- Cricut Premium Permanent White Vinyl
- StandardGrip Transfer Tape
- A method to cut your materials – I’m using the Cricut Maker 3, but you can also use the Cricut Maker, a Cricut Explore Series machine, the Cricut Venture, the Cricut Joy Xtra, or even the Cricut Joy
- Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat – 12″ x 12″
- Scoring Stylus (optional for files with score lines) -OR-
- Single Scoring Wheel (optional for files with score lines)
- Craft Glue (I used Bearly Art Precision Glue)
- Brayer
- Weeding Tool
- Tweezers
- Spatula
- Scraper
- Cricut BrightPad Go (optional for weeding)
- Design #675 – My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files will be available in my free resource library beginning November 7, 2024 (get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page) or get early access to the design files by getting a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program!
How to Make Floral Gift Bags!
The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to make DIY floral gift bags will be available to watch for free for 24 hours during Maker Academy Weekend 2024, held online November 7-10, 2024. Get your free ticket to this fun maker event here! If you can’t wait until then, learn how to get early access to the Maker Academy Weekend 2024 videos, printable handbooks, and design files with a 2024 VIP pass below:
Answers to Your Questions About My DIY Floral Gift Bags Tutorial
Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?
A: This is a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2024 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video will premiere during the event November 7-10, 2024 — specifically, this tutorial video will be available to watch for free for 24 hours beginning November 9 at 3:00 pm ET! Get a free ticket to the event here! If you can’t make that time, there will be a replay available for 24 hours from that time so you can watch it later. You can get early access to these design files and printable handbook that details how to make this great project if you get a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend, which comes with other perks and bonuses, too!
Q: Can you show me how to make a flower gift bag?
A: Yes! My tutorial will show you how to add cardstock flowers to the handle piece or vinyl details to the bag itself!
Q: Can I make gift bags with Cricut? Do you have any gift bag tutorials I can try?
A: You absolutely can make your own gift bags! I have many ideas for you to try:
- My first purse gift bag set
- Big and little picnic basket gift bags
- Fold top gift bags
- DIY gift bags from scratch or wrapping paper
- Paper purse gift bags with keychains
- Designer purse-inspired gift bags
Q: Can I cut this project on a Cricut Joy?
A: Yes, the floral designs (inspired by fresh cut flowers!) can be cut with a Cricut Joy.
Q: My cardstock keeps ripping on the intricate cuts. What can I do?
A: Be sure you’re using a clean and sticky machine mat, good-quality cardstock, and a clean blade. See my Cricut Cutting Problems post for all the easy steps I take to get clean cuts every time.
Q. Do I have to use a Cricut?
A: No, my download zip also includes PDF designs you can print and cut by hand.
Q: Can I put vinyl on paper bags?
A: Yes, make sure your Standard Grip transfer tape has been used a few times so it’s less sticky than normal and won’t grab onto the bag’s surface. And when you’re burnishing the vinyl through the tape, keep your pressure on the vinyl instead of on the plain paper.
Q: How do you make gift bags look pretty with tissue paper?
A: There are many ways to make tissue paper look pretty in a DIY floral gift bag like these. My favorite method is to take a sheet of tissue paper, fold each side to the middle, twist near the bottom, and pop it into the open bag with the larger pieces sticking out of the top. Give the open pieces a little fluffing and you’re done!
Q: Can Cricut draw on gift bags?
A: It might be difficult to keep the layers of an assembled gift bag still on a machine mat, but you can add drawn details to the panels before assembling a DIY gift bag.
Q: What paper works with Cricut?
A: You can use plain cardstock, special kinds like glitter or foil, patterned paper, scrapbook paper, and much, much more with a Cricut!
Q: Do the files work with a Silhouette cutting machine?
A: Yes, my free design downloads come with SVG and DXF files to use with Cricut, Silhouette, and other cutting machines.
Get my free SVG files to make DIY floral gift bags!
(If you do not see the signup form above, click here.)
I love seeing what you make with my designs and tips! Please share a photo of your DIY floral gift bags in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,