| Looking for a very useful simple sewing project that is | | | | Press. |
| fast and easy to sew? Here is how to sew a fabric | | | | Now fold on the original crease and press again. |
| shopping tote bag. | | | | The cut edges are enclosed. |
| Help the environment by sewing several shopping | | | | Edgestitch on both sides of the long 34 inch long strap. |
| bags for yourself, or give them as gifts. The kids can | | | | Cut in half to 17 inches to make two strap handles. |
| use them for toy bags when they go to Grandma's | | | | Zigzag raw ends. |
| house. They are great travel totes, too. | | | | Mark and Attach the Strap Handles |
| You will love fabric shopping bags. Use them for all | | | | At the bag hem, measure out both sides from the |
| sorts of things besides carrying groceries. | | | | center front and center back of the bag about 1-3/4 |
| Use up some of your stash and make a few today! | | | | inches and make a mark. This allows 3-1/2 inches |
| Give them to your favorite charity. They love them! | | | | between the handles. |
| Fabric: | | | | Place the inside edge of the handle at this mark lining |
| Use whatever fabric you want to use. Try cottons, | | | | up the zigzagged edge of the handle with bottom of |
| upholstery fabrics, fake suede, leather, canvas, denim, | | | | the bag hem. Pin in place. |
| etc. You may prefer to use washable fabrics so you | | | | Stitch a 1 inch square to attach the handles to the bag. |
| can easily launder your bags. | | | | Box The Bottom Of The Bag |
| 1-1/4 yards of 45 inch wide fabric will make two (2) | | | | To box the bottom of the bag, turn it wrong side out. |
| bags. | | | | Center a side seam on top of the crease at the bag |
| Preshrink and straighten the fabric. | | | | bottom forming a triangle. |
| Cutting Instructions: | | | | With the bag bottom crease on top centered over the |
| Cut a panel 19-1/2 inches wide by 41 inches long for | | | | side seam, measure down from the point 3-1/2 inches |
| each bag. | | | | and mark. |
| Cut (preferably on the lengthwise grain) two (2) | | | | Fold over the triangle lining up the point to the bag |
| handles for each bag 4 inches wide by 17 inches long. | | | | bottom crease and press a triangle. |
| It is easier to cut and sew one long strip 4 inches by | | | | Open the triangle back up and stitch on the folded |
| 34 inches and then cut it in half. | | | | press line (base of the triangle). |
| Sewing Instructions: | | | | Repeat for the other side. This will form a 7 inch box in |
| Fold the bag panel in half and press a crease in the | | | | the bottom of the bag. |
| bottom. | | | | You can leave these triangles folded down into the |
| Press a 1 inch hem in the top of the bag. | | | | bottom of the bag or you may trim them off and finish |
| Fold the hem down again and press making a double | | | | the edges with serged or zigzag stitches. |
| hem. | | | | Support the Bottom (not really necessary) |
| Repeat for both front and back of the bag. | | | | Also, you may want to cover a piece of cardboard |
| Let it cool on your ironing board and then open the | | | | with your fabric to lay in the bottom of the bag for |
| hems back out. | | | | added support. This can be removed to launder the |
| NOTE: If you are applying pockets, appliques, | | | | bag. |
| embroidery, etc, to the bag, do it now before you sew | | | | Cut the cardboard 7 inches wide x 11-1/2 inches long. |
| the side seams. | | | | Cut the fabric a little larger. |
| Make sure hems are open and stitch 1/2 inch side | | | | Fuse/glue fabric to the cardboard. |
| seams to make the bag. (serge or sew). | | | | Tip: Double the bag when the load is extra heavy. |
| Trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch and zigzag to | | | | Make it double layered or simply place one bag inside |
| finish the edges. | | | | the other when needed. |
| Press seams. | | | | Enjoy Your Fabric Shopping Bag |
| Turn down the double hem and stitch in place. | | | | Use it to tote whatever you want wherever you want. |
| Press. | | | | Make the handles longer if you want to carry the |
| While pressing the hem, determine the center front and | | | | shopping bag over your shoulder. |
| center back of the bag by folding so that side seams | | | | Add your special trims, appliques, monogram, |
| are lined up and press a light crease at the top of the | | | | embroidery, paints, etc. to make the bag uniquely yours. |
| bag. This will help you place the handles. | | | | Add pockets inside and out in different sizes to hold |
| Make The Straps | | | | your keys, wallet, etc. |
| Press a 4 inch wide strap piece in half to set a crease. | | | | You are the designer. Sew your own designer |
| Open back out and bring the cut edges to the center | | | | shopping tote bags. |
| on the pressed crease. | | | | It just makes sense! |