Reusable Shopping Bag

Reusable Shopping Bag

Reusable Shopping Bag

There are so many reasons for using reusable shopping bags that frankly, I. Do. Not. Understand. why more people don’t use them. Type in “reasons to go reusable shopping bags” into your search bar and you will find loads of info to hopefully convince you. I find myself judging people in a shop taking plastic bags because really, it’s not that hard to do. And it can make such a big difference!

There are some really nice reusable shopping bags for sale but I particularly wanted something strong, compact and light. This bag is made from a nylon raincoat type fabric. It folds up nice and small to fit into my hand bag. And it’s washable. What’s not to love?

The pattern came off the Internet. Google “make your own reusable shopping bags by Chica and Jo” for the pattern and sewing tutorial. It’s a lovely detailed tutorial. The only thing I did differently was the way this bag folds away. I added a pocket like my IKEA reusable shopping bag. Oh and I made two of them.

You need: –

  • lightweight strong fabric
  • matching colour thread
  • paper to make pattern
  • ruler and pencil to draw pattern
  • paper and seing scissors
  • sewing machine

You do: –

I printed out their pattern and then made it to scale on a large piece of paper.

Making the pattern

Making the pattern

The pattern in centimetres

The pattern in centimetres

Cut the pattern pieces from your fabric. I made the facing a bit too short but it still worked fine.

Cut pattern pieces

Cut pattern pieces

Make a hem in the facing. Press with an iron. I used the nylon setting on my iron.

Hem the facings

Hem the facings

Next I sewed the facing to the bag straps using a 1 centimetre seam. And snipped around the curved edges. Make sure you place right sides together when you do this.

Sew and snip the curved edges

Sew and snip the curved edges

Turn the straps right side out and gently press with your iron. Now place the right sides toward each other and sew the sides and bottom of the bag together.

Sew sides and lower bag together

Sew sides and lower bag together

I made a little pocket 14 centimetres by 16 centimetres which I attached to the middle facing on one side.

Make pocket

Make pocket

Turn the bag right side out and give it a last gentle press with an iron. Now you join the straps. I placed the one strap inside the other and did a  few backward and forward zig-zag stitches to hold them in place. It could have been done neater but it’s a shopping bag so I wasn’t being overly fussy. Do make sure this join is well stitched.

Sew straps together

Sew straps together

Then fold up your bag into it’s pocket and slip into your hand bag.

Voila! You’re green reusable shopping bag is complete.

Have a great green week.

Greenie.