Reusable Shopping Bag + tute!!!

[Destined To Fail]

As of June 1st, the city of Toronto now requires a 5 cent charge for all plastic bags. Now in addition to helping save the planet we are also saving money by carrying our reusable shopping bags!!! They are quite ample & tuck into themselves for easy transportation in your pocket or purse!

*This pattern is for personal use ONLY.

Draft pattern onto paper using the diagram above.

Cut pieces from fabric placing the body of the bag on fold. Also cut 2 strips of fabric 2"x45" for binding.


With right sides facing, sew the body of the bag & the top of the handles. Fold the pocket top to bottom & sew along sides. Overlock all seams for durability.


Turn the bag & pocket right side out. Iron the pocket flat. Center the open end of the pocket against the bottom of the bag. Stitch along the sides of the pocket as close to the edge as possible being careful to only attach to 1 side of the bag.
 

To make binding, take fabric strips & fold & iron outside edges to center. Fold in half & iron to complete binding.


Bind the opening & handles of bag.


Fold handles in half matching the bound edges. Continue the fold downward to the bottom of the bag creating a 'pleat'. The bag should now be rectangular.


Bind the bottom of the bag catching the 'pleats' & pocket. This completes the bag.


To tuck the bag into itself:

1. Fold the bag into thirds away from the pocket
2. Turn the pocket inside-out bringing it from the back to the front.
3. Fold the bag in half top to bottom then fold handles back up.
4. Tuck top half into pocket.

Enjoy!!!

[Peppermom]

I think your tut. is wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.  I wish our state would put that in  effect.
Thanks again.
Peppermint

[claireasaurus]

Thank you for posting this wonderful tute! It is so perfect and clear AND the bag folds into a pocket! You're amazing.
 

[Destined To Fail]

Thanx so much to those who commented!!!

[amarok]

Here in Finland we always make the foreigners gasp. I work as a cashier and it always comes as an ugly surprise to people from other countries that our plastic bags actually cost. They cost quite much, too: 15 cents - 20 cents depending on the store. Still everyone buys plastic. They actually buy them for garbage bags etc. The irony is, that you can get something like 50 garbage bags for under a euro... I just don't get people.

I made this once, two years back when I found the tute on the net. I loved it, but made the mistake of using old sheets, and since only one layer of sheet didn't really keep me believing that all the juices and such heavy objects would be carried home safely without seams ripping, I made it a double layer. And that made it uncomfotably big. So watch out for that. Choose your fabric wisely, because this is a good idea. and shouldn't be screwd up because of wrong fabric.

[Destined To Fail]

Here in Finland we always make the foreigners gasp. I work as a cashier and it always comes as an ugly surprise to people from other countries that our plastic bags actually cost. They cost quite much, too: 15 cents - 20 cents depending on the store. Still everyone buys plastic. They actually buy them for garbage bags etc. The irony is, that you can get something like 50 garbage bags for under a euro... I just don't get people.

I made this once, two years back when I found the tute on the net. I loved it, but made the mistake of using old sheets, and since only one layer of sheet didn't really keep me believing that all the juices and such heavy objects would be carried home safely without seams ripping, I made it a double layer. And that made it uncomfotably big. So watch out for that. Choose your fabric wisely, because this is a good idea. and shouldn't be screwd up because of wrong fabric.

We doubt charging people will deter them much, but at least it makes people think when they're asked if they want to pay for plastic. We've been carrying these for a while & love them!!! We just drafted the pattern from an actual plastic grocery bag. All ours are made from cotton/poly fabric & have been very durable! Thanx for commenting!

[Acadian Driftwood]

Thanks so much for the tute! I made a few bags for Christmas gifts; they'll be perfect.

[Eowynt]

When I was in Brugge, this little market wanted to charge my friend 3 euro for a single plastic bag. Needless to say, she carried her stuff home without the bag.  I had my own, homesewn bag I made from a different tute, so I was fine. . .

[hat-and-bag-lady]

When I was in Brugge, this little market wanted to charge my friend 3 euro for a single plastic bag. Needless to say, she carried her stuff home without the bag.  I had my own, homesewn bag I made from a different tute, so I was fine. . .

3€? That's almost $5 Canadian!! (today's exchange rate)

I've carried my own bags since before it was cool. Checkers and "Bag-Boys" hated to see me coming. I wasn't unpleasant, but had to consistently remind them that my cloth bags can carry a LOT more than plastic bags. (When I say "consistently", I mean practically Every bag!)

Anyway, this is a good tutorial. It looks like it would be easy to make and carry.

[JS]

Great project tutorial, and awesome advice regarding fabric choice and thickness.