The ultimate DIY shopping bag - made easy!

I have a problem with most reusable shopping bags. Or rather, several problems. They are either ugly or contain company logos (or a combination of both) and never last too long. Or they are too big. Or they unfold themselves when they shouldn't and then are a pain to fold back.

So, for a while now, I've been brainstorming a way to make a cute, cheap reusable bag that I can fold and keep in my purse. 

Well, finally, the ultimate DIY is out in the open. Complete with instructions and one zillion pictures to show you how it's made.

This shopping bag comes together pretty quickly, it's easy to sew, reversible (if you don't mind one little pocket on the outside) and folds itself into a little cute pouch that perfectly fits your purse!

Want one? Here's the tutorial.



To make this reusable shopping bag you will need:

•  two large rectangles of exterior fabric (mine were 50 x 45 cm)

 

• two rectangles of the same size for the lining (you can use the same fabric or a contrasting one like I did)

• two strips of fabric (about 6 x 30 cm) for the handles (I used the same as the exterior fabric, but it's your choice)

• two smaller rectangles (about 15 x 45 cm) of one of the fabrics for the pouch (I had to use my lining fabric because I didn't have enough of the other one) and two pieces of ribbon (each about 20 cm long). 

 

Step 1 - sew the bag
Pin the two pieces of exterior fabric right sides together and sew around both sides and the bottom.

Fold the bottom corners to form a triangle and measure about 6 centimeters...

...sew a line over the measurement you made...

...and cut off excess fabric:

Do the same with the other corner. This will give the bag a flat bottom when you fold it inside out.

Repeat these steps for the lining fabric.

Turn the exterior piece of the bag inside out and place the lining inside, wrong sides together. Line up the side seams. It should look like the picture below:

Step 2: create the handles
The usual way to to this is fold the handle pieces in half, sew them right sides together and then turn them inside out. I hate having to turn thing strips of fabric inside out, so I usually make the handles using the bias tape method.

Fold both edges over and iron them as shown...

and then fold in half and press them flat:

Top stitch and you're done. Use which method you prefer and do the same with both handle pieces.

 Step 3: Make the pouch
 Place both rectangles of fabric right sides together, with one of the ribbon pieces tucked in between, centered over one of the smaller sides:

Sew around the two longer sides and the smaller side which has the ribbon in place. Leave the fourth side open.

Fold inside out through the opening, fold the edges towards the inside, pin and top stitch, effectively closing the opening.

 Fold the piece as shown and pin the sides in place.

Then fold over the top, pin, and then sew the other piece of ribbon in place.

 

You'll have to unpin the sides to sew the ribbon, and then pin them back again to stop stitch all around, creating a lined pouch that looks like this when closed:

Step 4: assemble the bag
Go back to the the pieces you left ready at the end of step one and fold over the edges, pinning all around and tucking the handles in between, carefully centered:

Top stitch all around:

Now place the unfolded pouch as shown over one of the sides of the bag.

 

This is the only tricky part of the whole process, that you need to get right, otherwise your bag won't fold over inside the pouch. The top of the pouch should be pointing towards the bottom of the bag and the opening of the pouch should be facing down, lined up with the stitches you've just made around the bag (lining up like this is essential to make sure you don't accidentally sew the opening shut). The bottom of the pouch will be hanging outside the bag for now.
 

Top stitch around the bag again, about half a centimeter below your previous seam... 

 ...securing the pouch in place:

This second seam will make sure the handles are sturdy enough, effectively attach the pouch to the bag and a double seam always looks more professional on a bag anyway.

When you fold over the pouch piece, it should look like this, a small pocket attached to the inside of the bag: 

Step 5: go shopping!

Your bag is ready!

Fold it over as shown and put it in the pouch. The bag needs to be turned inside out to fit into the opening of the pouch.

Place it in your purse and when you need it, you just open the pouch, fold it out again and use it!

You can use it like this, and it has a nice pocket inside to hold whatever you want...

...or you can use it like this if you don't mind having the pocket on the outside because other than that, the bag is totally reversible:

It is easy, cheap and environment friendly. It can be made to match your purses and in all your favorite colors. You can wash it when it's dirty and when it's past its prime, you can always make a new one. It will not unfold itself and make a mess in your purse.

And the best...it fits the palm of your hand!

This also makes a wonderful handmade gift and I'm already thinking about sewing a batch of them for Christmas.

And seriously, it took me longer to write this post than to actually make the whole bag from scratch! Whew!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and have a wonderful week!