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More Home Sewing Patterns:

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sbcol (12K)

How to Sew a Fabric Shopping Bag


Copyright © 2006 Silver Seams.com

It seems that every time I turn around, I'm being handed another silly plastic shopping bag. I have lots of places to recycle them (reuse them, actually) - the library takes them, etc., I still get tired of dealing with them. Invariably, I collect several bags stuffed with other bags before I remember to take them to the library, and that's just wrong.

I know a lot of people carry their own tote bags, and I have a couple of them, but I often end up with five or six bags' worth of groceries, and tote bags aren't that convenient to load. So I looked more closely at one of the ubiquitous plastic bags here at Silver Seams World Headquarters, and realized it would be really, really easy to sew.

A serger (overlocker, for non-USAns) helps here, but isn't necessary.

sb (6K)



Take a piece of fabric, 37 1/2" wide by 21 1/2" long. Fold it in half long-ways, and stitch the side closed. I assume 1/4" seams here, but it's not critical. If you sewed it right sides together (RST), turn it now... but you can just leave the seam inside the fold. These are utilitarian, not beautiful.

sb2 (5K)



Now fold in the sides slightly over 3". Now is where you'd tuck that seam in, but it doesn't matter.

sb3 (6K)



Now sew across the bottom. This seam goes on the outside, no doubt about it. If you're using a conventional machine, you might want to zigzag stitch the seam allowance to cut down on fraying.

Then cut the bag opening out. You'll want to catch the inside fold too, otherwise your handle won't have a hole in it.

sb4 (5K)

It's probably best to finish the raw edges of the handle area first, before sewing the "shoulder" seams of the handles. You can use an overlock stitch, zig-zag stitch (multiple times is best) or go all-out and put bias tape on them. Then, keeping the folds in place (you're sewing through four layers), stitch across the handle seams. You may want to open up the handles, press the seam allowance to one side, and sew it down. This seam takes a lot of weight, remember.

If you want to get really fancy, you can sew "buttonholes" and thread your bags onto the metal arms just like the plastic bags go, but that's four buttonholes (don't buttonhole-stitch your handles closed!) when you could just hang the bag on the handles instead.

All done... now when they ask "Paper or plastic?" you can answer "Fabric!"

print


1-10 of 55 Comments
Trisha – Wright City, MO
Aug 11, 2010 - 18:59

I used ripstop nylon for my bags. I like it because it's really sturdy and repels water in the rain so if I go shopping and get caught in a downpour the groceries will stay dry in the parking lot. The plastic packaging some larger objects come in tore a little hole in one bag but because it's ripstop it won't run. I made my own pattern from a bag, but I don't remember if I saved it or not so I'm keeping this one! I did my seams up the side, though, so there's no seam on the bottom. It has less of a chance of the seam giving out that way and provices a more sturdy base.

Betty Hinkle – Soouth Carolina
Jul 30, 2010 - 15:15

I just found this website a few days ago and am already enjoying these useful patterns. Thanks ever so much. Betty

Dorothy – Walterboro
Jun 22, 2010 - 08:35

Thanks for this pattern. I'm teaching my daughter and a friend to sew. I'd like for them to do a service project for shopping bags to remind our church folks to shop for our food pantry.
PS
My mom recycles the plastics by creating strips (yarn) from the bags and then crochets them into a VERY durable bag.

Sharon Najdyszak – Richmond, VA
May 13, 2010 - 08:43

glad I found the website I am a beginner and looking for guidelines thanks for your site.

geeta – india
Apr 20, 2010 - 05:59

i was searching this type of bags. as per you instruction i make it and i m successfully done it.

achilles – http://www.bornonthestreets.com
Apr 20, 2010 - 05:21

its easy to make and convenient to hold

thanks

Rosetta – TX
Mar 17, 2010 - 22:06

Why do you have to make that seam across the bottom w/ RSO? Couln't it be done w/ the bag inside out at the time you do the side seam?

I'm not great at spacial relationships, so I'm guessing you have a good reason!

Holly – Erie, Colorado
Sep 02, 2009 - 16:42

When I went to your "printer friendly" version of the fabric shopping bag, it split at the step where you cut out the "handle" and didn't give me all the directions. Just wanted you to know that it didn't work very well for me.

Reply to Holly
chris
Apr 17, 2010 - 01:51

in the printer friendly version- highlight the last two illustrations and instructions and print them by choosing selection in preferences and printing - you will have the complete picture.

Lisa
Aug 17, 2009 - 12:43

worked great! use it almost everyday!

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How to Sew a Shopping Bag


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