Beginner Projects, Sewing Tutorials, Upcycling
How to make a reusable shopping bag | beginner sewing tutorial
With Dubai introducing a charge for all single-use plastic bags from 1st July 2022 there has never been a better time to learn how to make your own reusable bag for use when you go out shopping.
All too soon reusable bags will become the norm when shopping, get ahead of the game and create a sustainable, homemade tote bag perfect for all your grocery shopping needs.
It can take 400 years for one plastic bag to decompose and more animals are being found to be ingesting plastic. Becoming more eco-friendly and making your own fabric shopping bag will help start to reverse the damage plastic has done in previous decades.
Why make a reusable fabric shopping bag
Reusable fabric bags are easy to store, washable, last for years, and can be made with any design you want. Buy beautifully patterned fabrics and get creative to create unique shopping bags that no one else has.
The advantage of making your own tote bags is that you can make them as big or small as you want. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to make a simple shopping bag for sewing beginners. Once you know how to sew a tote bag, feel free to experiment with different sizes and fabrics to find the perfect bag for you.
What fabrics can your DIY tote bag be made from?
There are many types of fabric you can make your tote bag from including:
- Canvas
- Linen
- Corduroy
- Cotton fabric
Choosing a fabric with limited stretch will help your bag last longer. It is especially important not to create the straps in scratchy fabric as the weight of your full shopping bag may cause the straps to break.
Why make a tote-style bag?
There are many advantages to making a tote-style reusable fabric shopping bag.
These include:
- They are a good eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags
- Strong and durable
- Save you money as they can be used again and again
- Can be made thin and flat or with a box bottom
- Can be made to any size you desire with ease
- They are washable
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Always wanted to learn sewing but didn’t know where to start? Visit my sewing beginners workshops in Dubai to learn how to sew with your domestic sewing machine. Or join my advanced sewing workshops to learn how to make your own unique garments from home.
How to make your DIY shopping bag
DIY Shopping Bag – materials
- Around 0,8m fabric* of your choice, e.g. cotton*, canvas*, jute*
- Universal sewing needles*
- Thread matching your fabric*
By the way: shopping bags are great upcycling projects! So if you have some unloved garments you don’t wear anymore you can easily use them for a unique tote bag!
Pattern Overview
Cut out the following pattern pieces for your DIY tote bag:
- 2 x Front: 45 x 40 cm 1 cm (seam allowance included), use your main fabric
- 2 x lining: 45 x 40 cm 1 cm (seam allowance included), use a second fabric of your choice
- 2 x Straps: 65 cm x 7 cm (seam allowance included), use your main fabric
Reusable shopping bag sewing tutorial
1.Fold one of the straps lengthwise, right sides together. Close the long side with a straight stitch and one centimeter seam allowance. Turn outwards and topstitch with a narrow edge. You can leave the two short sides open as they’ll disappear in the two layers of the bag. Repeat this step for the second strap.
2. Place the front parts right sides together. Close the three open edges with a straight stitch and one centimeter seam allowance.
3. Repeat this step for the two lining pieces.
4. Pin the straps right on each side of the front bag, right sides together (bag is turned outwards). For the right positioning of the straps measure 9 cm from each side of the bag. Attach with a straight stitch and a seam allowance of only 0.5 cm.
5. For the next step make sure the front bag is turned right side out (nice side are showing) and the lining is turned left side out (seams are showing).
Place the front bag into the lining bag. The right sides (nice sides) of the bags are facing each other. The left sides are facing outwards. Make sure the straps disappear in those two layers. Pin the bags together and make sure the side seams of the bags meet exactly.
Attach the lining onto the front bag with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Important: leave a 5 cm opening to turn the bag inside out.
6. Turn the bag right side out and iron it neatly. Topstitch the bag all around the upper edge. Try to sew narrow to the edge. This way the bag gets a nice finishing, the straps are more secure and the opening is closed.
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Congratulations- your very own DIY shopping bag is ready to use!
By following the steps in this sewing tutorial you will not only create an amazing, personalized fabric tote bag but you will save yourself a fortune as you will not have to buy a plastic bag every time you go shopping, to a restaurant, or buy clothes.
As well as saving yourself some money you will also help look after the environment and take the first step to help stop millions of single-use plastic bags in Dubai and the rest of the world from destroying our much-loved planet.
Don’t forget to tag your new shopping bag over on our Instagram #makeityoursthelabel
By the way: another helpful way to wear more sustainable clothes is to buy second hand. So make sure to check out my list of the best second hand shops in Dubai.
