How To Make An Eco-Friendly Shopping Bag
91Easy To Make Replacement, For The Plastic Shopping Bag!
You will need one meter or yard of medium weight of cotton denim (not stretch-denim) Poplin, Twill, a polished cotton or a light weight upholstery fabric. Using a 45"/112.5cm wide fabric works out perfectly without any waste. If your sewing machine takes heavy-duty thread use it otherwise an all purpose thread of matching or contrasting color will be fine. You'll also need a measuring tape, a good pair of cutting scissors and some pins. An iron would be helpful and your sewing machine.
For you, who don't have a sewing machine you need to follow the same steps. You'll also need good sharp hand sewing needles. Sew all the seams using a really small running stitches, once you get the the end of the seam go back again and reverse your stitches...( have the stitches showing in the empty spaces) For extra durability give it an extra seam. Obviously sewing the bag by hand will take a bit longer but these are great take along projects to sew while on the bus or subway to and fro work or when traveling.
1.Cutting: total of 5 pieces-follow the lay-out drawing. (note -no or little material waste)
cut 1piece 24"/60cmX42"/105cm for the main body of the bag
cut 1piece 4"/10cmX42"/105cm for strap piece#1
cut 2pieces 4"/10cmX36"/90cm for strap piece#2 & piece#3
cut 1piece 8"/20cmX8"/20cm for pocket
Prepping Strap:
Sew together the strap pieces to form a large "ring" using a 3/8"/1cm seam allowances, press seams open
Next using your iron fold strap over a 1/3 it's width lengthwise.... 11/2"/3.75cm (right side of picture #1)
Fold over and iron 1/2"/1.25cm on opposite side (left side fold of picture #1 )
Next fold strap in half and press (picture # 2) -sew around the whole 'ring' 3/8"/1/2cm from edge
Fold strap 'ring' in half and mark with a pin both half way points, (we'll use these guide points when we're ready to assemble the bag)
Prep: main body of bag
Double fold the two 24" ends 3/8"/1cm and again 3/8"/1cm and press
Do the same double fold at the top of the pocket & press
Give a single fold at the bottom of the pocket & press
Prepping main body of bag and pocket:
Double fold the two 24" ends 3/8"/1cm and again 3/8"/1cm and press
Do the same double fold at the top of the pocket & press
Give a single fold at the bottom of the pocket & press
Sewing:
Sew the two pressed end seams of 'main body' of bag and the top seam of the pocket. (I've used a contrast thread so it might be easier to see)
Centre & pin pocket onto 'main body' 5"/12.5cm or so from top seam (make sure you have the single fold pinned under so there will be no raw edge that can unravel). Now sew bottom seam of pocket onto 'main body'.
Easy way to centre length of 'strap ring' onto bag.....don't let this next bit confuse you just follow it step by step: take strap guide mark #1 and pin it to the left top edge of the 'main body'.....pin guide mark #2 onto right bottom edge of 'main body'
also centre the width of strap over pocket (so that the raw side edges of pocket are covered) (pictures #5&6)
Sew all around both sides of strap
Re-enforce strap at all 4 top edges (sew over them each 3-4 times)
Fold 'main body' in half right side out, pin top sides together (making sure that your edges are even) sew using 3/8"/1/2cm seam allowance
Turn bag inside-out, press seam flat making sure that the seam is right at the edge, sew a seam at 1/2"/.08cm (you have just accomplished a french seam) (picture #7)
We're almost done.
You have a flat bag now, just like an envelope. To give it "thickness" pull the bottom corner point out, pin in a triangle as shown (both corners), give it a double seam, turn right side out and "tah-dah" done.
Time to brag...The plastic-grocery-bag has been ousted.
Congrats! Now you're ready and you know how to mass produce these Eco-friendly shopping bags for yourself, for family, for friends and neighbors.....
I've designed this bag with the strapping enclosing the body of the bag to give extra strength. The total weight carried in them is not depending only on the strength of the patch of fabric and thread that was used to fasten on the straps.
Tips: Instead of making straps you can replace them with webbing available at the fabric stores. This webbing adds extra strength too. But make sure you use the same enclosing style.
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Comments
Wow Patty! You were quick to find the hub. I just posted it minutes ago. Thanks for your comment. These bags are really super easy to make. I only use these now when I go get my groceries. And they're strong too.
Regards Zsuzsy
Great hub Zsuzsy--very good info--you make it so easy!!
Thanks Froggy for visiting and commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy,
We have a new shopping opening early 2009 and they have banned plastic bags.
Grocers, meat shops, Vegetables and clothing. Everyone had to sign up and say they will not allow plastic bags to go out with their clients. No plastic bags. Your bags are going to be come the rage.
Perhaps you should move to Balgowla Sydney NSW for those extra sales. Who knows you may become Australia's next Millionaire.
Good luck if you do. Spend it wisely
Thank you
Zsuzsy Bee - This is so useful and so detailed...Did you ever think to get this published in a sewing magazine or a crafts periodical, or some kind of publication like those? I think editors of those would find your writing here very, very valuable. Keep up the terrific ideas and instructions. -Helen (a.k.a. Creativita)
MrM! How are you? What a great idea to not allow the mechants to have plastic bags in their stores. More should follow that sample.
As for moving to Balgowla Sydney NSW sounds like a great idea. Wish it were that simple...
thanks for coming for a visit talk to you soon Zsuzsy
Creativita! Thank you for your kind comments. I'll look into publishing.
regards Zsuzsy
very useful and well written hub, thanks.
Thank you Bob for taking a look and for the kind comment.
regards Zsuzsy
Nice looking bag, and roomy, too. It should hold a lot of ummm... groceries!
Great hub! The pattern and step-by-step photos are fantastic.
(Another plus... if I make my own bag, I'm more likely to remember to put it in the car before shopping trips.)
Thank you! This is a great hub - easy to follow directions and pictures! Can't wait to make one - I love to get crafty!
B.T. You're right lots of room for Bu***r t***s especially if you're on this side of the border.
Thanks for taking a look regards Zsuzsy
Marian! You know making your own will really remind you to take them along when going to the grocery store.
Thanks for taking a look and for commenting regards Zsuzsy
Randi! Let me know how it goes. You could link a picture of your creation here. It would be just great.
Glad you came by for a visit. regards Zsuzsy
Can you sew one for me Zsuzsy please, Zsuzsy? :) I don't know how to sew like you can. This reminds me of one of the stores here who sells this type of bag. If you use this instead of plastic, they give you double points for your groceries. Yes, (guilty) our dept stores still use plastics. Bad.bad.bad, I know :(
Michelle! It's not hard to make these bags. You should try, you might even enjoy sewing them. They also make good gifts.
thanks for coming by regards Zsuzsy
You would find me a difficult student when it comes to sewing LOL Hmmm...I may find somebody to follow your instructions! Yes! Indeed it could be a great idea for gifts too... :)
Michelle I've had many students that thought they couldn't sew. Very few remained "unbitten" by the sewing bug. I love creating things so much and I know you do too. I read your hub where you painted the bear... I really hope you will give it a try. Just imagine how proud you'll be when you take your bag out shopping. You can always contact me if you're stuck and I'll help. zs
I'm not much for sewing but my fiance is, and she loved it when I showed her this hub. Thanks for the good instruction and info!
Lupo! You're very welcome. Hope your fiancee get some use out of the hub.
Thanks for taking a look regards Zsuzsy
I am a fan of eco friendly bag--- i like to use calico. thanks for the easy step to step procedures......
MM Del Rosario! Thanks for taking a look. Calico is a good fabric too for the bag.
regards Zsuzsy
is there a way you can show me how to make a masculine looking one of these so I can be eco friendly and not be beaten up outside the circle k?
Funnebone! Love the new avatar!
If you make the shopping bag out of denim (jean material) or a printed fabric featuring sports or plaid or such. I'm sure you'll be safe from the mean beaters in the outside world.
Always glad when you come by for a visit. regards Zsuzsy
This is another great hub from you Zsuzsy.Just a few days back my kids' school asked everyone to bring 15 polythene bags and said they will be given a cloth bag in exchange.It is so good to see people changing to make this Earth a safe place to live in.
I love the way you make things that I like, so simple.When I make this one I will have something to flaunt about.Thanks for such a useful hub.Thumbs UP!
Abhinaya! How are you? Haven't chatted for a while.Thanks for taking a look and for commenting. How about after you make your shopping bag you post a picture here. I would really love that.
We have a custom here in our neck of the woods (Canada) that at the end of the school year the kids take a gift to their teachers. My granddaughter asked me if I would make a couple of these bags for her to give to her teachers...They were a great success...
Thanks again for visiting. regards Zsuzsy
Waht a wonderful tutorial. I've been a fashion student, but i never paid attention to sewing, i just thought it was too difficult and that i should leave sewing upto the tailors! Now i wish i had learnt some stitching! Great hub Zsuzsy.
Zsuzsy, this is a great project. Years ago I used to make tote bags following a design very similar to yours. I loved making them for gifts, and I would custom-monogram them. Who ever knew the plastic bag issue would be putting these practical and attractive hand-made bags right back into fashion?
Just had a thought...make a smaller bag for your young helper to carry. And if that young helper happens to be a boy, make the bag in a color funnebone would approve of. :)
Great hub!
I like the way you reinforced the bottom of your bag design with the strap handles. Very Nice! C.S.
Sorry Rookie! I was away camping with my grandaughters, there just wasn't any time to even open the laptop...
Thank you for taking a look and your comment, I wish you would try to make this bag it really is easy going and a good first project...
regards Zsuzsy
Sally! Always glad when you pop in for a visit. I wouldn't mind having a toony for each bag I've ever made following this pattern... I used it as one of the first projects in my sewing classes, for adults and kids alike... always a favorite.
If it's made of denim it really doesn't matter if it's for girls or boys, women or men... good to carry everything in from school books to groceries etc...
thanks for commenting kindest regards Zsuzsy
C.S.! nice of you to comw by and take a look... I made myself a bag following this pattern only a bit bigger and a few zippers in 1985 when I returned to College to use as book-bag. Mechanical Engineering (drafting) had a mega amount of books a "thousand pounds each". My bag survived and as a matter of fact is still going strong. When I get home next week from camping with my granddaughters I will add a picture of it to this hub.
Thank you visiting kindest regards Zsuzsy
Great Hub. We have imposed a surcharge on plastic bags in our stores. So we now make use of material bags (store bought mostly).So your hub is a great way to make our own custom shopping bags. a plain green, blue or any other colour will definitely ensure you are beaten up as a wimp in the store (as a mere male that is).
Excellent instructions but I don't want to break dearly beloved's sewing machne!
Sixtyorso! Thanks for visiting and for your kind comment.
regards Zsuzsy
ECoBag! More power to you and everyone who makes one of these. Well done Zsuzsy Bee. I think I may even have a go at this.
Your fan.
Monitor.
Monitor! Thanks for visiting and your kind comment
regards Zsuzsy
How very European, Zuz!! And very creative, of course!
Isabella! Thanks for popping in. Thanks for the comments too.
sorry I didn't get back to you earlier but I'm off in the wilderness camping with my granddaughters... The connection between the laptop power-pack and the RV powersource just doesn't always want to work quite right.
Kindest regards to you Zsuzsy
Great detail and nice accompanying photos :)
Thanks for taking a look Glassvisage. regards Zsuzsy
Great tips, I missed this one. I bought some cloth bags from Amazon.com, since then for a few months, I have never used any plastic bags, so thats a good thing. I hope everyone either makes the bags like yours or they should buy cloth bags and help the environment.
CGull! That's my hope too. Thanks for taking a look and commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
zsuzsy,
This is a great hub. Last weekend I was visiting my brother, and my sister-in-law asked me if I ever heard of 'plarn'. I said noooooooooo,,,,,,can't say that I have. Well, turns out people are crocheting bags made of, you got it, plastic shopping bags. It really is amazing and another good way to re-use plastic instead of clogging our dump sites with it. If you care to check it out, just Google the word plarn.
Trish
Trish! I love it when you come for a visit. Plarn... I will have to check it out. I heard of people making grocery bags out of plastic but I've not seen them yet neither did I know that they actually gave that stuff a name.
Thanks, kindest regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy,
I am going to check it out some more myself. I do not crochet, well, not well anyway, so it's not something I would do myself, but I found it to be interesting.
Trish I just checked that plarn stuff out... Looks interesting... I guess I could try sometime... but I'm sure I will prefer the sewn version... zs
Thank you for this hub. I am passionate about doing what we can to be enrionmentally responsible. Your bag ideas are splendid
Thanks for dropping by Nightcats. If all were to take our environmental problems to heart it wouldn't be a problem anymore.
I appreciate the comment. regards Zsuzsy
really great lens...thanks for all the details
Thanks for taking a look Starving Artist. and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
I like it
Thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
I've been using plastic bags for to long now, time to quit. Great hub
Thanks Fresh Flower for taking a look and for commenting.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Eco-Friendly in the News
- Eco-bags with unique designs by the disabledThe Star4 days ago
THE new AEON-JICA Eco Bag was launched at the AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre recently.
- Fashion Forward: Obama looks perfectly polished in TalbotsUSA Today10 hours ago
This week: Michelle Obama raids Talbots for her latest event ensemble.
- Cloth bags of distinctionChina Daily3 days ago
Fashion magazine Vogue held Fashion's Night Out recently, in collaboration with major shopping malls across the world, to promote its recommendations of the nicest accessories and dresses.
- More stores sold on reusable bagsSan Diego Union-Tribune4 days ago
SACRAMENTO - Amid stalled regulations targeting plastic bags, more retailers are trying to avoid bans and fees by voluntarily offering shoppers cash back to change their habits at the checkout stand.
- Celeb fashion obsession: Impressing stylish New Yorkers isn't easy, especially for a celeb designerNew York Daily News31 hours ago
Any star who thinks she can drape and sew knows star power alone won't make up for shoddy hems and ill-fitting shoulders. The shoppers of New York know fashion - and they can send a poser to the sale bin quicker than, well, a New York minute.
- New Tracy Raley's wins environmental awardTri-Valley Herald4 days ago
TRACY — A Raley's supermarket that opened earlier this week already has received an award for its environmentally friendly features. The Raley's anchors the Red Maple Village shopping center at South Tracy Boulevard and Valpico Road.
Patty Inglish, MS says:
16 months ago
Brilliant! And attractive as well. We must all make some of these great bags soon. Thumbs Up!