DIY Reusable Grocery & Produce Bag From a Dish Towel

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Are you ready to join the zero-waste movement? Have plastic grocery and produce bags been trying to take over your home? Have you been shoving these plastic bags into closets and cupboards for years now so they fall at your feet each time you open up your pantry? Sounds like it's time to make the switch to reusable, cloth grocery bags. Not only can these eco-friendly bags can be made from fabric you already have, but check out your local thrift shop for dishtowels, or even curtain panels to make them double earth-friendly.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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Things You'll Need

  • Thrifted dishtowel or a 28 x 18 inch piece of lightweight fabric

  • Straight pins

  • Safety pin

  • 1 yard of thin cotton clothesline rope

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1

To create a casing for the rope, fold 3/4 inch over on one short edge of the dishtowel toward the wrong side of the towel. Pin and sew in place. Repeat with the other short edge of the towel.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Tip

Instead of using a thrifted dishtowel, you could use a thrifted curtain sheer cut to size or any lightweight fabric. If you choose something other than the dish towel, be sure to sew a small hem along each side of the fabric before following the directions. This will keep your edges from fraying.

Step 2

Fold the dishtowel in half by placing the right sides together and lining up the two casings you just made along the top. Pin and sew along the sides.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3

Attach a safety pin to the rope and thread it through the casing. Pull the rope through so it's even on both sides. Tie a knot in each end to prevent the rope from slipping back into the casing.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4

Turn the bag right side out.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5

Fill 'er up again and again and again. Happy shopping!

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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