Quantcast
 

How To: Make Fabric Shopping Bags

Wed, 01/16/2008 - 11:15am by casasugar
4,449 Views - 18 comments

Did you know that each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide?

To do your part to reduce this huge amount of waste, make your own fabric shopping bags with these easy instructions from Kristina J. Millar when you read more.

What You Need

  • heavy-duty fabric, such as canvas or upholstery fabric
  • thread
  • scissors
  • sewing machine

How To Make It

  1. Choose some fabric — something heavy like canvas or upholstery-grade cotton. It can be as plain or as fancy as you like.
  2. Measure out a long rectangle for the bag (your finished bag will be about half the length of your original so decide how big you want your bag to be, then double the length). Measure out two long rectangles for the handles that are about 6 inches wide (if you want long handles measure out long rectangles; the ones above were 20 inches long).
  3. To sew the handles, fold the long edges of your rectangle into the middle, fold in half then topstitch it together.
  4. Sew a half-inch seam along the short ends of your long rectangle on each side (they need to face each other when you fold the edges together) and attach the handles approx 4 inches in from the edge on the sides with the seam.
  5. Fold the good sides together and close the two long sides (the bottom of the bag is made up of the fold, which is why you cut a long rectangle). As this bag won’t be lined you should zig-zag stitch the seam to prevent fraying.
  6. Turn right side out and enjoy your shopping!


Source

Read Related:  
on Yahoo!

Related Casa Stories

Related Network Stories


 
 
 

18 Comments Add a Comment

  • lulis's picture
    lulis
    2

    Cool! I've been wanting to make my own and give them out as gifts.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tdamji's picture
    tdamji
    3

    great tutorial! when i went back home for christmas, my mom surprised me with a few bags (similar

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tdamji's picture
    tdamji
    4

    to the ones you've posted) that she made from leftover fabric just for me! so sweet.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • marcella's picture
    marcella
    5

    this seems silly to me. why bother making your own when you can buy them for a dollar or so from trader joes or whole foods? i'm sorry, but i don't have that kind of free time.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tdamji's picture
    tdamji
    6

    oh, i generally just use my backpack for getting groceries since i walk or take a bus home from the stores, but sometimes the heavier items need to be put in a sturdy bag like the ones you've shown.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • sugarbecky's picture
    sugarbecky
    8

    I need to make one of these. I will say that when I do get plastic, I reuse them instead of just throwing them away.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • i am awesomeness's picture
    i am awesomeness
    9

    I have a bag that I got at Whole Foods for $1 and I do use it often. But what bothers me a little is that the handles will slide off my shoulder, so I have to keep readjusting them. I think that this is a fun craft idea. I love crafting and sometimes I just want a one-of-a-kind bag, so this is just perfect. Kudos, CasaSugar!

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ElleJay's picture
    ElleJay
    11

    This is such a good idea- but I would have to make like 15 of them cuz when I go grocery shopping i buy a TON

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • WhiplashGirlchild's picture
    WhiplashGirlchild
    12

    I start my sewing class on Friday. Once I'm done with it and know how to sew, I'm totally making these!

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • emalove's picture
    emalove
    13

    Great idea! I'm trying to be better and use my canvas tote bags when grocery-shopping...sometimes I forget though.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • JovianSkies's picture
    JovianSkies
    14

    Oh! I love fabric shopping bags! It's especially rewarding to know that you're helping the environment. I like taking these to wholesale stores that don't have bags, such as Bj's, and they're so useful.

    24 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • pinkmermaid23's picture
    pinkmermaid23
    16

    I always borrow my roomate's bag she bought from publix...and although economically friendly, it's not that attractive. I think I'll make a couple this weekend with my mom and give one to every one of my roomates as gifts!

    24 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • craftyfingers's picture
    craftyfingers
    17

    Regarding the post about just buying a shopping bag, I think the idea is to recycle fabric you already have - not promote more production of new goods.

    24 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • fluffyhelen's picture
    fluffyhelen
    18

    One of my friends makes this kind of thing for morsbags.com. You basically make them and then hand them out at grocery stores.

    I just wish somebody would show me how to use a fricking sewing machine? I have one but I have NO CLUE on how to use it!!

    24 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment

Leave a Comment

To post comments, please sign in or register.















©1976-2008 Sugar Inc. | Privacy (updated 6-18-2008) | Terms of Use | Copyright Policy | Advertise | Contact Us