Star spangled bags

All of us like to gift our dear ones nice and unusual things. We also try and give them in boxes that are equally attractive.

Today, I will show you how you can make glittery pouches for gifts that make you stand out at any occasion.

STEP 1
Pick a shiny material in a colour of your choice. You could buy it from the market or, even better, ask your tailor to give you the bits of cloth he has left over.

STEP 2
Take a piece of white cardboard (available at all stationery shops). Draw a circle 21cm in radius. Now on one side, make a point 21cm away from the diameter and join to the diameter to create a triangle.

On the other side, mark a point 37cm away from the diameter and cut a semi circle, as shown in the
picture.

STEP 3
Draw two lines on the triangle side, leaving a margin of 1cm from the edge as shown. Cut from the tip to the point of intersection of the two lines.

STEP 4
Now fold the cardboard to identify the centre point on the semi circle. On either side of the centre point, mark points equidistant from it.

Then mark points 4cm from the circumference, from the centre point and the two edges of the diameter.

STEP 5
Connect the points as shown in the picture.

STEP 6
Put this piece on to the shiny material and cut the latter in a size slightly bigger than the piece of cardboard. Use all-purpose glue to stick the cardboard piece to the material neatly. Leave it to dry for 15
minutes.

STEP 7
Cut out the excess material and stick the two sides by overlapping them. This will give the cardboard a conical shape.

STEP 8
Fold from the curves we drew in Step 5 and make two holes on each side. Pass a ribbon through the holes. You now have a handle to tie the box.

STEP 9
You can see the finished product in the picture. For the red bag, I have used wrapping paper. You can use wrapping plastic, which is stronger. I wish you all the best.

— Gulsen Dikturk is a UAE-based art enthusiast