How to Sew a Grocery Bag
Fabric grocery bags have become a utilitarian tool for individuals who want to help save the environment. Using fewer plastic and paper bags as a shopper promotes a "green" environment and also helps store owners keep their costs down. Many stores have printed fabric bags available for their customer's to purchase. The added cost is unnecessary for individuals who enjoy sewing. Make a fabric grocery bag at home in less than 30 minutes.
Things You'll Need
- 3/4-yard 45" wide fabric
- Newspaper
- Pencil
- Yardstick
- Thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing Machine
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Make a paper pattern for the grocery bag from newspaper. Measure, mark and cut an 18-inch square from the newspaper. Mark the top of the pattern with an "X." Mark the two edges that will make the sides four inches down from the top of the bag. The marks will be directly across from one another.
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2
Mark the bottom of the bag four inches in from each corner.
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3
Draw a gentle curve from the four-inch mark on the side to the closest four-inch mark on the bottom of the pattern to create a curved shopping bag. Cut out the bag pattern.
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4
Use the fold from the fabric bolt and fold the fabric in half. Pin the pattern to the bottom corner of the fabric, away from the fold. Cut out the pattern.
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5
Cut one strip six inches wide for the gusset and one strip four inches wide for the handle from the remaining fabric above the pattern. The length will vary from 43 to 45 inches, depending on the fabric.
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6
Make the handle from the four-inch strip. Fold the strip in half to form a long snake. Make sure to fold the fabric so the front of the fabric is to the inside. Pin the strip together along the raw edge. Use a 1/2-inch seam and sew one end and the long edge together.
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7
Clip the seam to 1/4-inch. Clip the sewn corner at a 45-degree angle. Turn the fabric strip by placing the sewn end over the top of a pencil eraser. Push the pencil into the strip. Work the fabric over the pencil until the fabric is turned. Remove the pencil.
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8
Straighten the turned handle so it is flat and 1 1/2 inches wide. Turn a hem up 1/2 inch on the raw edge of the handle. Turn the hem to the inside. Press the handle. Set aside.
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9
Lay one piece of the curved bag sides on the table so the front or right side of the fabric is facing up. Pin the front side of the gusset to the front side of the curved bag along the curved edge. Begin at the top corner and go around the curve to the other corner. Ease the gusset into place. Repeat the process with the second curved bag fabric piece. Sew along both edges using a 1/2-inch seam.
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10
Clip the seam along the curve to help it lay flat. Press the seam toward the gusset.
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11
Turn the top edge of the bag down 1/2-inch and pin in place. Press the fold and remove the pins. Turn the pressed edge down one inch and pin in place. Press the folded edge.
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12
Sew the folded edge in place. Use a seam that is 3/4 inch to 7/8 inch from the folded edge. This creates a hem along the top edge of the fabric grocery bag. Turn the bag so the seams are to the inside.
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13
Pin the handle into place. Center the handle in the middle of each gusset on the inside of the bag. Place the end of the handle on the seamline of the top hem. Do this on both sides of the bag.
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14
Sew two seams to hold the handle in place. Make the first seam 1/8 inch down from the top of the grocery bag. Make the second seam 1/8 inch up from the bottom edge of the handle.
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Tips & Warnings
Line the fabric grocery bag using the same pattern pieces for the bag shape and gusset.
References
- Photo Credit veggie stand image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
