Make a Grocery Bag from Scrap Fabric

Use scrap fabric to create a grocery bag

Yesterday we shared how we used a sheet to create a shower curtain. Since the shower curtain was smaller than the sheet we had leftover fabric. What's a girl to do with fabric that matches a shower curtain that is now hanging in the hall bath? Make a grocery bag! 

Tools
Fabric scissors
Rotary cutter
24 x 36 self healing mat
6x24 quilting ruler
Embroidery scissors
Sewing Machine or Serger 

Materials
Serger thread
Needles

Step 1
Cut two 18 x 20 inch rectangles from your scrap cloth. Cut two more pieces of 4 x 18 inch cloth to act as straps.

Step 2
Place the right sides of the cloth together and align the two 18 x20 inch rectangles. Sew or serge three edges. We used a 4 thread overlock stitch with our serger to sew the two side seams and the bottom seam. You can use a sewing machine with a straight stitch, press the seam open and then sew a zig zag or overlock stitch over the edges of the fabric if you do not have a serger.

Cut off corners and stitch

Add depth to bag

Step 3
Turn the bag inside out. Give the bag depth by folding the two bottom corners out and sewing across the corner at a 45 degree angle. Again, we used a 4 thread overlock stitch on our serger so the excess fabric was trimmed as we sewed. If you do not have a serger, You can use a sewing machine with a straight stitch, cut off the excess fabric with scissors or a rotary cutter, press the seam open and then sew a zig zag or overlock stitch over the edges of the fabric.

Step 4
Turn the bag right side out and hem the top of the bag. We used a 3 thread rolled stitch on our serger to hem the top. If you do not have a serger, you can use a sewing machine and a hemmer foot to create a rolled hem with a sewing machine or select a standard hem for your bag.

Use 3 thread rolled hem for straps

Step 5
Fold the 4 x 18 cloth you cut for the handles in half. Press the cloth with an iron. Serge the cloth on both long sides using a 3 thread rolled edge. Serge the short sides again using a 3 thread rolled edge stitch. If you do not have a serger,  use a sewing machine and a standard hem for the handles of your bag.

Attach straps from inside bag

Step 6
Mark the bag on the inside of the top edge where you want to attach the straps. Pin the straps in place. Use a straight stitch on a sewing machine to sew the straps in place.

Further Reading 
"Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags"; Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney; 2009.
"200 Sewing Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Compendium of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (200 Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets)"; Lorna Kinght; 2010 at 85.


How to Use a Serger
"Successful Serging: From Setup to Simple and Specialty Stitches"; Beth Ann Baumgartel; 2009.
"Ready, Set, Serge: Quick And Easy Projects You Can Make in Minutes"; Georgie Melot; 2009.
"Quick and Easy Sewing with Your Serger: 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, Too (Easy Singer Style)"; Becky Hanson; 2008.
"Creative Serging: Innovative Applications to Get the Most from Your Serger": Nancy Bednar, Anne van der Kley; 2007.
"Serge With Confidence";  Nancy Zieman; 2006.
Serger Secrets; Mary Griffin, Pam Hastings, Agnes Mercik, Linda Lee Vivian
"The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model"; Naomi Baker, Gail Brown, Cindy Kacynski; 1996.
"ABCs of Serging: A Complete Guide To Serger Sewing Basics"; Tammy Young, Lori Bottom; 1992.