How to Sew a Lining for a Cloth Grocery Bag

Cloth grocery bags are a greener option than paper or plastic for shopping, but they have tons of other uses. Vinyl grocery bags make great picnic bags, beach totes, school bags or carryalls for travel or work. Learn how to sew the lining for this fabulous, multifunctional bag.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterproof fabric
• Scissors
• Paper grocery bag
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out the pieces of cloth for the lining of your grocery bag. You can make the lining out of any fabric, but waterproof fabric is best. Use a paper grocery bag as a template.

2. Put the side and bottom pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing. Pin the pieces together. Leave about a ¼-inch seam allowance.

3. Set your sewing machine's stitch length to "2" for a stronger stitch.

4. Sew the side and bottom pieces together on your sewing machine.

5. Find the center of the bottom piece of cloth by folding it in half. Put a straight pin in the fold to mark the center. Repeat this process for the front and back panels of fabric.

6. Pin the front and back panels and the bottom piece together with the right sides facing. Then sew the rest of the lining together.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub sewing machine lubricant, like Sewer's Aid (see Resources below), on your sewing machine needle and presser foot to make waterproof fabrics like vinyl easier to sew.

Resources

• Buy Sewer's Aid All-Purpose Lubricant at Sewing Machine.