TwoGirls 3R Shopping Bag Tutorial
| INDIVIDUAL SACKS | GRAIN SACKS |
| The 3R shopping bag became a bit too time intensive to be able to offer you at a reasonable price so we thought what's the next best thing? Telling you how to make them so you can do it yourselves....RECLAIM, REUSE AND RECYCLE those pillow cases that you don't use, it's easy! |
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TwoGirls 3R Shopping Bag Tutorial |
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| What you need: Pillow case(s), standard sewing machine (you can use an overlocker if you have one for the long seams), scissors, thread, pins, ruler. It takes about half an hour to make from go to whoa, it may take a bit longer the first time but once you've got your head around it you can whip them up for all your friends and family. When you're choosing your pillow case, just give the seams a tug to make sure they aren't frayed and the fabric isn't worn. This can be a problem with older ones and you want yours to be nice and strong to hold all your groceries. You can go for any fabric, I tend to choose cotton as it washes well. |
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1. Measure your pillow case and cut into 3 - the body of the bag and two handles. It depends on how large you want your bag but you will end up with some left over. A good starting point is 40-45cm for the body and 5-6cm for each handle (this includes seam allowances). |
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2. Make your base. Turn the case inside out and flatten the corners together to make a point. Measure and pin where you want your bag to be square. Less for a thinner one, more a squarer shape. I like to go about 8cm from the tip. This also depends on the size of your case, if it's a child's one, make it smaller. |  |
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3. Sew across the corner with a straight stitch then turn right side out, now you've made the base of the bag. |  |
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| 4. Turn the top of the bag under then fold again and straight stitch around the hem. You can iron it first to give you an easier line to follow. Take the handles and do the same on the raw edge. If you use the folded edges of the case you will only have one edge that needs hemming. If not, straight stitch down one side on the wrong side, then turn inside out and fold the hem on the other and straight stitch down. Press flat. |  |
5. Fold the bag closed the way you'd hold it under your arm (base ends at either side not in the middle). Pin the handle in place on the same side, make sure it's even. Repeat on the other side and test it over your arm before you sew them into place. |  |
| 6. Sew around the end of the handle in a rectangle then across the centre diagonally for extra strength. Repeat on all four ends. |  |
7. Enjoy your finished bag! I have several for shopping, one for knitting projects on the go, one each for the kids out of baby pillowcases (does anyone actually use these?) for childcare, library bags etc |  |
Copyright
TwoGirls® 2007, Revised 2009. The Fregie Sack® Established 2006 |