Do you have some extra fabric lying around and plenty of time on your hands? Why not try out a folding grocery bag pattern as your next DIY sewing project?
Time To Complete: 40 Mins
Difficulty: Beginner
Despite the name, the folding grocery bag is one for every occasion. It’s environmentally friendly and will save you tons of money buying shopping bags.
What You Will Need to DIY Your Own Folding Grocery Bag Pattern
Main body
- Two pieces of fabric 15 by 10 inches
Contrasting top
- Two pieces of Fabric 15 by 6 inches
Handles
- Two pieces of fabric 4 by 16 inches
Additions
- Thin elastic six inches long
- One button
How to Make your Folding Grocery Bag Pattern
Step 1: Sew the Elastic Band
Take the 6-inch elastic band and fold it in half. Pin it at the center of one of the main body pieces and sew it into place.
Step 2: Attach Contrasting Panels
Lay one of the contrasting pieces on top of the main panel. The attached elastic band should be between the contrasting and main panels. At the top of the edges, sew ¼ -inch seam. Repeat the same procedure for the other main body and contrasting panels. Reinforce with a zigzag or serge stitch.
The seam allowance should be pressed towards the upper, contrasting panel and hold it in place with a topstitch.
Step 3: Side Seams
Lay the front and back panels with the wrong sides together. Sew a ¼ -inch seam down either side of the panels.
Turn the bags, so the right sides face in and press well. Sew ½ an inch down one side, down to the bottom, and up to the other side. The second seam needs to be wider than the first one, so the first one is enclosed.
For the bottom, a zigzag or serge stitch is recommended. Once complete, turn the bag right side out and press.
Step 4: Straps
Fold the straps in half lengthwise. Open the fold and fold the edges towards the centerline fold. The end product is a 1 by 6-inch strap. Sew both sides of the strap.
Step 5: Attach the Straps
Zigzag the top of the main body of the bag. Fold about ½ an inch off the top towards the wrong side of the bag to finish off the top. Take the straps and fold ½ an inch of the raw edge and pin it 3 inches from the edge of the bag.
Secure the straps by sewing two seams across the top.
Step 5: The Button
Measure 3 inches from the location of the elastic band you attached in step 1 above and sew the button on to the bag. The button and the band should be on the same side.
Step 6: Fold the Bag
Layout the bag in front of you with the handles farthest from you. Fold the right side of the bag towards the center, followed by the left side. Fold the handles towards yourself and the bottom part of the bag away from you, so the bottom lays on top of the handles then roll up the bag, starting with the bottom part.
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