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!"
I love the idea! I already use the recycled cloth bags that you can by at WalMart, HyVee, and other places and I love them. I always have remnants left over and this would be perfect. Also another idea for those worn out jeans and sweatshirts! Love doing crafts with recycled goods. Anything to make Mother Earth happy :)
judy – staffordshire, england
April 21, 2008 - 06:22
These are brilliant! I made some for daughter, and lined calico with a bit of left-over silk, looks great. I also used some large table napkins in black ( groovy idea, but looked like a funeral on the table) two napkins makes a bag, and looks really elegant. (hmmmm, does Tesco do elegant?) After I filled one with shopping, I discovered the bonus....the handles never cut grooves in your fingers!!!!
shiborigirl – LONG BEACH
April 19, 2008 - 19:36
how about using fabric from clothes headed for the goodwill? even more recycled!
chris – Augusta,Ga
April 16, 2008 - 21:36
I'm really interested in sewing several of the bags. This area has not got excited about recyling yet. My Mother was from Germany and she had net bag to used for shopping . I still have one of those bags fits in my pocketbook. When I use that bag I will get a comment. Look forward to useing up a lot of fabric stash.
Brenda – California USA
March 27, 2008 - 23:57
Very interesting concept. I'm going to try and make a few of these. Where I live is very interested in the environment and I think these would go over BIG in my community. The grocery stores sell or offer their own, but they are not big enough. Thanks for providing the pattern.
Moira C – Wales, UK
March 25, 2008 - 07:31
Many thanks for this - such a good idea! I make my own bags from samples and then sell them to raise funds for a local charity. Making them as copies of the plastic ones is really sensible, thanks again.
Julia – Coventry, England
March 21, 2008 - 05:07
I'm glad that I'm not the only one making fabric shopping bags, in a fit of insanity I decided to use all the odd bits of material that I had in the bottom of the wardrobe(we've all got a stash somewhere!). All very 60's.
Julia
Ann C. – Sterling, VA
March 16, 2008 - 06:10
I use a windsock that has a closed bottom to collect all plastic bags. I got it at Easter at Big Lots. I like a big Bunny in my kitchen.
Sharon – Trinidad and Tobago
March 14, 2008 - 23:26
Love this idea. I made a holder for my plastic bags that hangs in the kitchen.(basically a tube of fabric open on both ends, a hoop at the top and the bottom an elastic is run to close the end. You pull out the bags from the bottom). The day I made it I filled it with bags and have gotten so many since then I haven't taken out any from the holder. I made my first bag today and plan to make a few more. Thanks for your earth friendly idea.
Reply to Sharon
Jane – Ontario
March 15, 2008 - 07:25
Hi, Sharon,
I'm glad the pattern worked well enough for you to plan on making a few more. And I must have the matching fabric tube full of bags to yours! Thanks for your comments.
