Use old paper for handicrafts

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Are you looking for ideas for crafting with paper? Old newsprint is great for braiding. This creates baskets in which you can store fruit or various small items.

The sturdy basket also holds fruit.
The sturdy basket also holds fruit.

What you need:

  • old newspapers
  • scissors
  • Stapler
  • Staples
  • Clothespins

You can also use old wrapping paper, wrapping paper or similar materials for the basket.

How to make braided strips out of paper

  1. Cut three large sheets of newspaper into four lengthways strips of the same size each, so that you get a total of twelve strips. To mark the cutting lines, fold the sheets lengthways twice.
  2. For each strip, fold the two long sides together to mark the center line.
  3. At this center line, fold the two long edges of the strip.
  4. Place the strips lengthways together so that the flaps that are created are on the inside.
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Old becomes new - this is how you weave the baskets

  1. Lay six of the strips horizontally one below the other and weave them into the other six strips. This means that you lead each of the remaining strips vertically above and below the horizontal strips alternately, always starting alternately by placing them above or below. This is how the woven basket floor is created.
  2. Push the strips tightly together and make sure that all protruding ends are the same length. Fix the four corners of the floor with clothespins.
  3. Use the protruding strips to braid the walls of the basket. On one of the four sides, first take the two middle strips, bend them up and cross the left strip over the right.
  4. Place the next strip on the right over the one coming from the left. Then braid the next left strip with the strips coming in from the right. Keep braiding until you have woven all six strips on this side into a triangle shape with protruding strip ends. Pull this braid tight and secure the top with a clothespin.
  5. Braid the ends of the strips on the other three sides in the same way. When you pull it taut, you notice that the corners fixed with clamps bend upwards a little. Do not remove the clips yet.
  6. Begin at one corner to intertwine the side pieces. To do this, remove the clip at this corner. You'll see which strips to braid together, even if that's a little tricky at first.
  7. Braiding creates a jagged edge. Fix the overlapping strips at the edge with staples so that nothing can slip.
  8. Close the other three corners in the same way and cut off any excess paper strips. The basket is ready.

Paper baskets can also be made using a simpler method. In doing so, bend the protruding ends of the strips upwards and weave more strips of paper around them row by row. This also creates larger baskets in which you can store old paper, for example.

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