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Turn a clean paper shopping bag into a simple notebook cover, then bind in scrap paper for the pages. The easiest version uses aligned punched holes and a tie made from the bag’s handles; if you want pockets instead of separate pages, fold several lunch bags together for a different style of book.
Make a simple notebook with separate pages
This method uses a paper bag for the covers and scrap paper for the writing pages. Gather a clean paper bag, scrap paper, scissors, a pen or pencil, a single-hole punch, and the bag handles or another tying material such as ribbon. You can use a hole punch you already own; a specialty bookbinding kit is not needed.
Prepare the cover
- Slit open the folded sides of the bag and spread it flat. Use scissors to separate the front and back panels, then trim them to the cover size you want. If opening the bag requires a knife, cut carefully away from your hands and work surface.
- Stack the cover panels together and mark matching binding points along one edge. Punch through both covers at those marks.
Punch and bind the pages
- Trim scrap paper so it fits inside the covers. Stack the pages between the covers and align their edges.
- Use the punched cover as a guide to mark the same hole positions on the page stack. Remove the covers and punch the pages at the marks. Matching positions help the finished stack sit neatly.
- Put the pages back between the covers. Thread the bag handles or another suitable tie through the holes and secure the stack. Tie it loosely enough for the pages to turn.
Starbucks Singapore documents this cover-and-insert construction using a paper bag, scrap paper, a hole punch, and the bag handles: Paper Bag Notebook instructions.
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Choose another construction if you want a different book
| Format | What makes it different | Binding |
|---|---|---|
| Separate-page notebook | A bag forms the covers; loose scrap-paper pages sit inside. | Punched holes tied with handles or another tie. |
| Pocketed mini book | Three folded lunch bags create pockets for small paper inserts. | Punch aligned holes through the bags and tie with ribbon. |
| Sewn notebook | Fold five pieces of office paper, tear each in half with a ruler, and place the folded stack in a cut bag cover. | Pierce five evenly spaced holes along the center fold and sew with needle and thread. |
| One-sheet folded book | A grocery bag is taken apart at its seam, trimmed, folded, and cut into a small multi-page booklet. | Glue or sew the pages together. |
Make a pocketed book
For pockets that hold inserts, fold three lunch bags in half, cut small paper inserts, punch corresponding holes through the bags, and tie the bags together with ribbon. Put the inserts into the bag pockets. This is a pocketed book, not a conventional stack of separate pages. See the Ormond Art Museum paper bag book activity.
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FOGWOWO 36 Pcs Teacher Gift Bags Bulk School Teacher Appreciation Bags
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Sew a small notebook
For a stitched binding, start with five pieces of office paper. Tear each in half using a ruler, fold the resulting pieces, and cut a paper-bag cover to fit. Make five evenly spaced holes along the center fold and sew through them with needle and thread. The instructions do not specify a paper weight or a final page capacity. Jenni Bick’s paper-bag notebook instructions also mention a bookbinding awl or safety pin for piercing holes.
Fold a bag into a booklet
A one-sheet folded book is another option, but it uses a different construction: take a grocery bag apart at its seam, trim off the bottom, then fold and cut the bag into a small booklet and glue or sew the pages together. Follow the Boise Art Museum activity for its folding sequence rather than combining it with the separate-cover method.
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Falueqg Back to School Gift Bags - 24 Pcs Teacher Appreciation Paper Gift Bags Composition Notebook Themed Party Supplies for First Day of Semester Classroom Activities
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Keep the binding and pages practical
- For the tied notebook, punch the covers first and use them to transfer the hole positions to the pages.
- Use bag handles, ribbon, or thread according to the construction you choose; the tutorials document each as a binding option.
- Trim the paper pages to fit the cover before punching so their edges do not protrude.
- These tutorials do not establish tested durability, writing performance, or a standard page capacity, so the finished result will depend on the bag, paper, and binding you use.
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