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.
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.
Now fold in the sides slightly over 3". Now is where you'd tuck that seam in, but it doesn't matter.
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.
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!"
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.
Lisa
Aug 17, 2009 - 12:43
worked great! use it almost everyday!
Katherine Perry – South Bend IN
Jun 24, 2009 - 13:24
Thank you for posting this free pattern! We can all benifit by using reusable bags. I am going to try this pattern with some strong netted fabric I have in my "stash". Think I'll reinforce the edges with tape.
Sharon – Baltimore,Md.
Jun 03, 2009 - 15:53
I heard that plastic bags may be going out, and this shopping bag is
just what I need. Thank you, and God bless you for caring to put "free" patterns on the internet.
Agustina – Montevideo, Uruguay
May 15, 2009 - 23:00
Thanks for this. I made them a little smaller and work great to carry lunch to work.
Jane
Mar 27, 2009 - 14:25
Read all the instructions before making these as there is a part the says that maybe you should finish the edges first. So, I would read the instructions, write them according to how you intend to do it and then cut and sew.
Mame – Maine
Mar 23, 2009 - 15:03
I looked at several patterns this by far is written the best and works the best. I have a surger so it makes it neat and very easy.
Thanks
Eleanor – Kalispell, MT
Mar 12, 2009 - 15:07
How about a little pouch to carry them in like "pads"? They would stay neater for use and not be jumbled in your purse
Bethanne – Canada
Mar 10, 2009 - 20:10
Hello
I do like the idea of the handles all together with the rest of the bag instead of separate. I have a question. I understand the folding of the bag, the folds go in 3 1/4" on each side. Then the pattern shows 3". It says to cut an opening for 6" down. Then it shows 1 1/2" on the next pic.
Q1: Does this mean the fold is 3" after its been folded?
Q2: Do you cut 1 1/2" across and 6" down for the bag opening?
Q3:To finish around the opening of the bag you use bias tape or serge?
Q4: There is no lining? Right?
Please repy. Thank you. Bethanne
Reply to Bethanne
Jehna – jehnakai@att.net
Aug 18, 2009 - 01:08
Bethann,
I was also confused about the handles, so I practiced with a piece of paper and scissors. The fold does go in 3 1/4 inches. When you make the cut, you measure 3 inches in from the sides and cut 6 inches down, so that you're cutting through 1/4 inch of the inner fold. (The cut goes from 3 inches in on one side of the bag [left] to 3 inches in on the other [right], 6 inches deep all the way across) Then you finish all the raw edges before sewing the two top seams. When you sew across these, it creates a hole where you previously cut out the 1/4 inch on the inner fold - which is what you use for the handles. It should look very much like the thin plastic grocery bags used in American grocery stores.
I believe the 1 1/2 inch measurements are for if you want to put button holes. (1 1/2 inches long, 1 1/2 inches down from the top)
You may finish the edges with bias tape or serging, your choice.
