Make a Reusable Grocery Bag
Here is my step-by-step tutorial to teach you how to sew a reusable cloth grocery bag. This is a great, earth-friendly project for the novice sewer. I’ve helped my ten-year-old daughter sew these bags for herself! These bags are completely reversible and the cut out handles are very strong.
Materials:
Fabric Non-stretchy fabrics are best. I’ve recycled old curtains, bedsheets, and pants to make many of my bags. Most fabric stores have little “end pieces” of fabric that they sell cheap, and thrift stores are good for scrap fabric too.
Scissors
Thread
Sewing needles, or a sewing machine
Iron
Here are the measurements of the bag pieces. Cut two from your main fabric, and two from your secondary fabric.
Here are the measurements of the handle pieces. Cut two from your main fabric, and two from your secondary fabric.
You’re now going to draw a rectangle inside each of the handle pieces. Draw it on the “wrong” or unpatterned side of your fabric. The rectangle will be 5×3 inches. I find it easiest to make the rectangle out of paper, and then trace it onto the fabric. When the rectangle is properly centered it will be 1 1/2 inches from the edge of the fabric on all sides.
Now inside the rectangle you made, roughly sketch a few lines like the drawing below. They don’t have to be perfect. It looks a bit like an envelope.
We’re now ready to get sewing! Always remember to sew fabric RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.
On each bag piece center a handle piece along the top. You can measure to check the center; the edge of the handle piece will be 5 inches from the bag edge.
Sew along the lines of rectangle that you drew on the handle piece. Don’t sew the inside lines, just the rectangle. Now you’re going to cut the inside lines of the rectangle, through both layers of fabric. Cut right to the corners of the rectangle, but don’t snip through the stitches!
Now you can pull the handle fabric through the hole you just cut, and the cut-out handle has been created! Iron it to make it look spiffy. Repeat the handle procedure for all your bag pieces.
Whew! We’re about halfway done.
Now, grab two matching bag pieces. Place them right sides together. Sew them together along the sides and the very bottom. Those little square bits on the bottom are left unsewn, so you’ll kind of have two holes in the bottom of your bag at this stage.
OK, this is the hardest part to explain. You’re going to open those holes in the bottom of the bag so that the end of the side seam meets the end of the bottom seam. You’re going to sew the corners together like this, this will make the bag have a nice flat bottom.
Oh my goodness, it’s starting to look like a bag now! Sew your other two matching bag pieces together the same way. Essentially you now have two bags; the next part puts them together. Together they will be stronger and reversible!
Turn one bag inside-out, and set inside the other bag so that RIGHT SIDES ARE TOGETHER. Match up the seams and handles as best you can. Pinning helps hold it all together.
Sew a seam along the tops of the bags, but leave about four inches unsewn. Remember to sew two layers together, don’t sew all the layers together! When you’re done you can pull your bags apart and they look like this (notice the hole?).
Alright, time to bring the right sides to the outside. Push and pull the bag pieces through that hole you left. Tada! It’s a beautiful, reversible, reusable fabric bag! To finish the bag, the top seam and match up the handles. Sew the hole closed, and sew the handles together on each side. I like to make another seam across the top of the whole bag, just to make it lay flat.
Your bag is done. You can add beads, stencils, buttons, or any other decoration you can think of. You can use the principles here to make smaller bags, bigger bags, bags with different handles, bags with pockets. Get creative!
Most importantly, always let your cat help.
Opal said,
February 8, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
I love it! I used to make them for myself, family, and friends. I’m finally starting to get back into sewing since my daughter is older. I’ve bought a few of the reusable bags from Whole Foods but I know I can do so much better.
Mary said,
November 22, 2007 @ 6:12 am
Thank you!! Great tutorial.
Ruthless said,
November 26, 2007 @ 3:42 am
VERY classy design! I love the contrast in the handles. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kymy said,
January 3, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Those look great! They would make good reusable gift bags too!
April-May said,
February 1, 2008 @ 8:43 am
This design is simply genius! I can’t wait to make some. Thank you so much!
Spiral Owl’s Create-it blog said,
March 18, 2008 @ 10:51 am
[...] Pattern has handles INSIDE the bag, so you don’t have to worry about them ripping loose and a … [...]
35 Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make - Free Patterns » TipNut.com said,
April 12, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
[...] Make a Reusable Grocery Bag: Simple reversible tote with boxed bottom, the handles are actually cut out (and reinforced) from the top of the bag. [...]
susan said,
April 13, 2008 @ 2:12 am
lovely! i am always intimidated to do those square hole things. thanks
Aileen said,
April 14, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
I made a purse like this, never considered a large bag. Great idea!
Norma Blackstone said,
June 1, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Thank you so much for this pattern. I have been looking for one that would not use webbing for handles. They never seem to stay on. I think your method makes perfect sense and can not wait to get some sewn up. You are most generous! Norma in Dallas
Elaine Dunbar said,
June 4, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Thanks for posting your reusable grocery bag. The reference that I have seen on line is for a quilted bag. That is fine, but the thickness may be a pain to deal with when dealing with spills.
Confessions of a Craft Addict » Blog Archive » Multiplicity said,
July 25, 2008 @ 9:12 am
[...] Raw and Unabashed: Make a reusable grocery bag [...]
Velvet said,
August 6, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Thank you so much! I love this bag!
Joanne said,
October 19, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
I’ve been looking for a pattern with an easy way to make the boxed bottom. I think I can do this!
rebecca said,
November 29, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
I just made my first bag from this tutorial and am totally thrilled with how it came out. Now all of my friends are getting bags based on yours for their holiday pressies. Thank you! It’s perfect!!!
Nadine said,
December 31, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Hi! I used your pattern to make a reversible tote, then I altered the pattern a little to make my own design, but still using the “reversible” method that you showed me. I am a novice sewer, but your instructions made the final product look like I was sewing for years!!!! I am so proud of myself. I liked the bags so much, that I ended up making 20 bags for Christmas gifts this year. I feel good about that, because I am helping the planet at the same time, by getting people to stop using plastic bags. I will try to post some of my designs on my blog site tomorrow, so you can see what I did with your method. I am so greatful to you. Also, I was so intent on looking at the tote instructions, that I did not realize until I came back to your web site to thank you, that you are a vegan. I am a vegan too. Thanks again, Nadine.
For your next Church / School sale | Find ReUsable Bags said,
January 20, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
[...] Why not make up a bunch of very colorful and fun ReUsable Bags? I found this blog that has full plans, measurements, and sewing instructions to make very simple but usable bags. No need for fancy handles and double pockets and reinforced stitching… these are the perfect bags to make quickly. They will get people around you to start using ReUsable Bags, the first step in doing their part. Once they see how easy it is, they can buy fancier bags later (maybe from you at the next sale if you decide to take the next step). Let’s get started! Take a look at the easy step by step instructions here… [...]
anne said,
February 10, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
I need clarification on the messurements. Is it 16 inches including the 3 inch cut outs…or 19 inches total??
Kasey said,
March 5, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
I stumbled upon your tutorial today and I think your bags are great!! I’d love to try making a few, but I’m not sure what type of material will work best. Do you have any suggestions?? Thanks!
Fran said,
March 22, 2009 @ 6:30 am
Your bag is different and very cute-I’m going to try it with my home economics students. Take a look at the reusable bags I make here in Hawaii.
Aloha!
Marilyn said,
March 24, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Can you tell me – the picture shows the width much less than the depth – the measurements say 18″ wide and 16″ deep – but it looks much deeper than it is wide – I hate to waste the material buy cutting it wrong – and no one above notes any problems with it – is it just me???
The “miniature” project « A Diva Moment said,
May 18, 2009 @ 12:07 am
[...] like this style . . .kinda looks like a purse, I suppose, but since the handles are cutout, they’ll be really [...]
Lori said,
May 30, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Thanks for the pattern and instructions. I made mine using fusible fleece (Pellon 987F) to make it sturdy. One layer of fleece per panel. It turned out nicely.
Helen Gedney said,
May 31, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
I do a lot of reading and find a cloth bag makes a wonderful carry all for the books I take along with me.
Katherine said,
June 30, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
This design is brilliant! Simple, efficent, and so strong! I filled the first bag I made to the brim with canned goods, over 19 pounds! It held them with no problem! I’m sure my arm will give out before this bag ever will, thanks for posting, I’m off to make more from salvaged fabrics!
Rachel said,
July 3, 2009 @ 2:17 am
Thanks for the pattern & tutorial. This wasn’t what I was looking for, but I am so glad I scrolled down and saw your cat!! I have two black kitties, and they both think they should help with everything. (I’m sure yours loves to help wrap presents too!)
Marisela said,
August 28, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
I was looking at other sites and couldn’t get it. How do I create my own
reusable grocery bag? I am just learning on my own, and on top of that reading a language that is not my first.
Finally I found your site and I can only say: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your instructions were so easy even for someone with little English and non what so ever background in sewing. Thank you. I am so proud I was able to follow your instructions.
Gardenhat said,
September 22, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Fantastic bag, I’ve just made my first and am delighted. can’t wait to start the second later this evening and am thinking of all the bits of contrasting fabric I can use up to make some fab christmas presents!.
… But I was confused as to the depth of the finished bag. I think from the instructions it looks as though you cut the 3 inch squares from the 16inch depth, but I found this made a lovely though not deep enough bag. Next time round I shall make a 19 or even 20 inch depth with the 3 inch cut outs as this will make a more useful size.
I’ts got me feeling creative again and using my dusty sewing machine, with a very useful purpose at the end of my labours too!
Kim said,
October 4, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
I did 18 width and 19 length, and those dimensions seemed to work out well. I also (instead of making rectangle out of paper, and then trace it onto the fabric for the handles) made a 8 x 6 inch cardstock template and cut out a 5 x 3 square in the middle. That way, when I lined it up with the handle fabric, it was always centered, and I could draw the “envelope line” inside as well.
Thanks so much for a great pattern!