With the growing concern for the environment, making your own eco friendly grocery bags is a great way to reduce plastic waste and practice sustainable living. Not only will you contribute to a greener planet, you will also have personalized, durable bags that are perfect for your shopping trips. Ready to start? Follow these 12 easy steps to sew your very own eco friendly grocery bags.
Choose Your Fabric
Start by selecting a sturdy fabric that will hold up to repeated use like cotton, linen or canvas. You will need approximately one yard of fabric for each bag, depending on its size. Look for fabrics with fun patterns or colors that you will enjoy using again and again.
Cut Your Fabric
Cut two pieces of fabric for the main body of the bag, each measuring about 15 inches by 18 inches. You can adjust this based on how large or small you want your bags. You will also need to cut two strips for the handles, each measuring 20 inches by 3 inches.
Hem the Top Edges of the Bag
Start by folding the top edge of both pieces of fabric down by 1/4 inch then fold it again by another 1/4 inch. Pin it in place and sew along the edge to create a clean hem. This will prevent the fabric from fraying.
Sew the Side and Bottom Seams
With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, pin the side and bottom edges together. Sew along both sides using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at both ends to secure the seams.
Box the Corners
To give your bag depth, you will want to “box” the bottom corners. Lay the bag flat, bringing the side seam and bottom seam together to form a triangle. Measure about 2 inches from the corner and mark a straight line. Sew across the line and trim the excess fabric, leaving about 1/4 inch seam allowance. Repeat for the other corner.
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Fold and Press the Seams
After sewing the corners, turn the bag inside out and press all seams flat with an iron for a crisp, professional look. This will help your bag maintain its shape and give it a neat finish.
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Prepare the Handles
Take your two handle strips and fold them in half lengthwise with the right sides facing in. Press the fold, open the strips back up and fold both long edges toward the center crease. Fold them back in half and press again then sew along both long edges to secure the handles.
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Attach the Handles to the Bag
Mark the placement for the handles about 3 inches from each side of the bag’s top edge. Pin the ends of the handles in place and sew them onto the bag. For extra durability, sew a square with an “X” in the center where the handle connects to the bag.
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Reinforce the Seams
For added strength, you can sew a second row of stitching along the side seams and bottom of the bag. This will ensure that your grocery bag is extra sturdy especially when carrying heavy items.
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Fold and Hem the Bottom Edge
Fold the bottom edge of the bag up by 1/2 inch and press it, then fold it over again and sew it in place to give the bottom of the bag a finished, clean look. This will also help prevent any raw edges from showing.
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Final Press
Turn the bag inside out one more time and give it a good press with the iron. Press the handles and all seams flat to ensure your bag looks crisp and professional.
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Enjoy Your New Eco-Friendly Grocery Bag!
Your eco friendly grocery bag is now ready for use! Take it to the store, use it for beach trips or carry it to your next farmer’s market adventure. You have not only created something useful but also contributed to reducing plastic waste.
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By following these 12 easy steps, you have created a stylish and functional grocery bag that’s kind to the planet. Feel proud knowing you have made something beautiful, sustainable and durable with your own hands. Enjoy shopping with your new eco friendly creation!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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