DIY Network

Wrap it in Window Screen Dress up gifts in metal or fiberglass mesh. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-139

B. Original with your gift wrap this holiday!

The presentation of a gift can be just as important as what's inside the package—especially if you're able to B. Original with your gift giving.

These window screen gift bags from Michele Beschen are a great way to jump-start your giftwrap creativity: They're inexpensive, distinctive and definitely hip. They're also durable, so your recipient can keep the momento of your creativity all year long.

Scroll down to see Michele Beschen's easy how-to for this fun gift wrap.

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Mesh Gift Bags

Materials:

aluminum or fiberglass mesh window screen
wire cutters or heavy-duty shears
cardboard (for template)
24-gauge wire and pliers (aluminum screen)
gloves
sewing machine (fiberglass screen)
embellishments for stockings

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Cut the screen into two identical Christmas stockings or other Christmas shapes. If you will be cutting out several of the same shape, create a cardboard template to speed things along.

• If you're using aluminum screen, bend over the edges to tuck in the sharp edges. Wear gloves to protect your hands.

• Stitch the two pieces of screen together to form the gift bag. If you're working with aluminum mesh, lace the screen pieces together with 24-gauge wire in a whip stitch all the way around. When you run out of wire, just curl the end up and start a new piece of wire until you're finished (figure A). You also can attach the aluminum mesh pieces with hog ring pliers, which connect the pieces with small rings (figure B).

• If you're working with the fiberglass mesh, you can sew the pieces together. The mesh won't unravel, but you can soften the edges by going all around the pieces with a zigzag stitch before sewing them together. Pin with straight pins and sew as close to the edge as possible (figure C).

• Decorate your gift bags with old costume jewelry or other embellishments (figure D). Since the aluminum screen is more heavy-duty, you can add more wire, beads and other embellishments than you can with the fiberglass (figure E). You may want to add some paint to the bags for some extra design zip.

Figure D

Figure E

The gift of your creativity—that's a present worth getting!