How to Sew a Reusable, Durable Grocery Bag

The next time you're shopping take your own DIY cloth grocery bags.  Our reusable shopping bag pattern is easy to sew, environmentally friendly, and will last for many, many years.  It's handy for trips to the grocery store, farmers market, department store, library and you can even stuff it with things for the park or beach. 

MAKE YOUR OWN shopping BAGS!

Some areas of the country are banning plastic bags, other places are charging for plastic bags and some stores reward you for bringing your own bags.  These are all good reasons for keeping a stash of reusable bags in the car.  

Have you ever purchased shopping bags from a retailer?  The bags are very flimsy and the handles break easily. Using the fabric we recommend will make a sturdy, durable grocery bag. 

This free grocery bag pattern is large enough to carry lots of stuff and includes both comfortable short handles and also a shoulder strap long enough to sling over your shoulder so your hands are free for shopping.

Do you need other sewing ideas for shopping bags and tote bags?  Our totes, bags and purses page has over 60 free projects waiting for you to try.  

Watch the DIY reusable grocery bag video and then follow the step-by-step photo tutorial below to make foldable shopping bags.

What are the benefits of reusable grocery bags?

Durability - The bags are ideal to carry items of different weights and yet last for a long time.

Reusable - You can take them over and over and over again with you every time you go shopping. 

Save money - Many grocery stores and even many cities and states are starting to charge for plastic bags.  Some are not allowing plastic bags at all.

Environmentally Friendly   - Reusable bags keep plastic bags out of the landfill. 

Protect Wildlife - Plastic bag litter is also a major threat to animals and their habitats.

Multi-purpose - The reusable bag you carry to the grocery store can be used for other purposes and to carry other things.

Fabric to use for reusable grocery bags?

A sturdy strong utility fabric such as denim, duck cloth, canvas or home décor works best for making a durable grocery tote. 

DIY REUSABLE GROCERY BAG TUTORIAL

WHaT YOU'LL NEED:

HOW TO SEW A foldable, reusable GROCERY BAG

STEP 1: FABRIC

As mentioned above choose a sturdy fabric such as denim, duck cloth, canvas or home décor. 

The bag doesn't have to be boring.  Show off your personal style with some of these DIY grocery bag ideas:

• Choose a bold color or print fabric
• Embroider a design on the fabric
• Use Iron-on transfers
• Are you a glitter fan? Glitter it!
• Stencil the fabric
• Attach patches

To personalize two of my grocery bags, I machine embroidered the fabric with eye-catching environmental statements.  

For one bag, I embroidered a world design on the fabric and put the tag line, "Saving the Planet One Bag at a Time".

For another bag, I machine embroidered a lady with shopping packages and put the tag line, "Proud to be a Bag Lady".

Cashiers are constantly commenting on how they like my grocery bags and are amazed that I made them.

STEP 3:  FINISH THE TOP & ATTACH THE HANDLES

First, we will begin by finishing the top edges of the grocery bag and attaching the handle and shoulder straps.

Place the 19" x 41" piece of fabric with the wrong side facing up on your ironing board. 

To hem the top, fold the shorter edge (the 19" edge)  down 1/2" toward the wrong side and press flat with an iron.   

Fold down again 1 1/4" and press flat. 

With one of the 18" handle strips, measuring 5 1/2" from the side of the fabric, insert the strap under the fold.

Then flip the strap upward and pin.

Again, measure 5 1/2" from the other side, place the strap under the fold, flip the strap up and pin.  IMPORTANT: Do not twist the handle. Repeat the process on the other 19" edge.  

STEP 5: STITCHING TOP

Topstitch close to the inside folded edge and then edgestitch along the top folded edge ( the top of the bag). Need tutorials? Here you will find our topstitch and edgestitch video tutorials.

STEP 7: BOX THE BOTTOM CORNERS

One of the wonderful features of this bag is the box bottom.  What is a box bottom?  A box bottom means the bag has a flat bottom making it easier to hold wider items and the bag can stand up on its own when you set it down.

Let's learn how to box the corners! The bag should still be inside out.  To box the bottom corner, iron and crease the bottom edge of the bag.  You will need this crease to help make the boxed bottom.  

Now, iron the side seam to one side (Not open).  To form the boxed corner, fold the corner so the bottom crease and the side seam line up forming a triangle. 

With a quilters ruler, measure 3 1/2" from the point of the triangle and with a pencil or fabric marker, draw a line. Pin the fabric to hold it in place.

Go to the sewing machine and stitch along the line, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Repeat the process with the second corner.

STEP 8: IT'S FINISHED

Just turn the bag right-side out and your grocery bag is finished.  Take your new bag to the market on your next shopping trip and load it up with groceries! 

I hope you enjoyed this DIY blog on how to make a grocery bag.  If you like this project be sure to pin, bookmark and share.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to help or clarify anything.

Happy Sewing!
Annette

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