Create

Using your own shopping bags is a good thing.  Some stores now offer a discount if you do, and if made properly, your own shopping bag will safely hold your groceries – not allow them to fall through a hole onto the ground like the flimsy plastic bags can.

I noticed that Purina Pro Plan now uses nice woven plastic for their dog food bags, and decided to make my own shopping bag from it.  My shopping bag has been in use for awhile and will safely transport 2 one gallon milk jugs.  The flat bottom is very nice when loading groceries.

Here is how I made mine.

Close up of the fabric of the dog food bag

You will need a suitable dog food bag (or fabric), yardstick or tape measure,  Extra Strong & Upholstery Thread, Small Binder Clips and Duck Brand All-Purpose Duct Tape

The dog food bag cut open and laid flat

My bag was originally only glued and taped together, and while fine for transporting dog food, I thought that it would not stand up to 2 gallons of milk, so I removed the tape and glue and ended up with a sheet of plastic that was about 40″ x 40″.

Bag turned right side out and ready for cutting

Because the design that I wanted for the front of the bag was not in the center, and to eliminate measuring and fiddling, I sewed up the seam on the tall side.  Do not use pins.  If you must hold the fabric in place, use binder clips.

Bag cut into sections

Plan where you want to cut.  The finished dimensions of my bag are 9″ x 11″ x 14″, which will hold 2 one gallon milk jugs.  This is where I cut my bag.

The corners to be cut out are marked

Now turn the bag wrong side out so you can mark and seam.  Mark each of the bottom corners 4″ in from the sides and 4.5″ up from the bottom, then cut them out.

The corners cut out

Long seam of the shopping bag is sewn and zig zagged

Reinforce the seam you first made, then zig zag it, then fold it over and cover with Duck Tape.  Don’t let your Duck Tape show on the outside of the bag.

Long seam of the shopping bag is taped

The bottom seam of the shopping bag is sewn and zig zagged

Sew along the bottom of the bag, then zig zag it, then fold it over and cover with Duck Tape.  Again, don’t use pins, use binder clips, and don’t let your Duck Tape show on the outside of the bag.

The bottom seam of the shopping bag is taped

Bottom side seams of the shopping bag are sewn and zig zagged

Now sew up the corners in a straight line.  If you need to, set the bottom on the floor and set it so the sides match the bottom – that is where the seam goes.  Sew, zig zag, Duck Tape.

Bottom side seams of the shopping bag are taped

Shopping bag wrong side out

Shopping Bag turned right side out

Turn the shopping bag right side out.  Isn’t it cute?

Fold over about 1/2″ around the top of the shopping bag, hold in place with binder clips, then sew down.  I used a wide, wavy seam for this.

Turn under the hem for the top of the bag

Sew the hem for the top of the bag

Fold the handle strap lengthwise and clip in place

Now for the Handle Strap.  I chose to have one strap go diagonally.  From the left over pieces, cut a strip about 4″ wide.  Rip out the seam at the ends from earlier so that your piece is long and flat.  Fold it in half with the right side out and hold in place with binder clips.

Turn under the first side of the handle strap seam

Fold the seam allowance under on one side and hold in place with binder clips.

Turn under the second side of the handle strap seam

Fold in the other seam allowance to match and hold in place with – you guessed it  – binder clips!

Sew the handle strap along the seam line

I sewed the edge of mine with the same wavy stitch as the top of the bag.

Completed Bag - back view

Securely attach the strap(s) where they are comfortable and useful for you by sewing a square the width of the strap and about 2″ high.  I used the same wavy stitch and tried to hide it in the design of the bag.

Enjoy your new Shopping Bag!