• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Dr. Karen S. Lee logo

  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Start Here
    • 5 Reasons to Subscribe
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Cookie Policy
    • Copyright
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • RECIPES
  • HEALTH
    • General Health
    • Healthy Eating
      • EWG's Shopper's Guide
    • Natural Living
  • MY BOOKS
    • No Thaw Paleo Instant Pot
    • Keto Instant Pot
    • Paleo Air Fryer
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • COOKBOOKS
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » HEALTH » Natural Living

    Make Reusable Grocery Bags with Old Cotton Sheets

    Published: Apr 8, 2020 / Modified: Nov 2, 2020 by: Dr. Karen Lee / This post may contain affiliate links. As Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /

    Jump to Recipe ⬇️

    Many cities and states are starting to ban disposable plastic grocery bags. Stores offer reusable bags but most of them are made with either nylon or plastic lining and hard to wash them in hot water to sanitize. But these cotton cloth bags can be washed in hot water to keep them clean and they can be made with old cotton linen sheets.

    white reusable bag with grocery inside

    As states ban disposable plastic bags, we have to use our own reusable bags. But if you're like me, you may forget to take them out of the car. Maybe once we become custom to carrying our own bags, we won't forget them. And if the bags are small and foldable, we can keep them in our glove compartment or in our bags so they are readily available.

    While you can buy heavy canvas bags for heavy groceries, these small bags are easy to make using old linen sheets. Furthermore, you can tuck them in your purse so you always have one handy.

    The tote is really easy to make and you can make about five bags from a full size sheet if you use these dimensions. Again, just like the garment bag tutorial , the measurements for the bags are totally up to you. You can make them whatever size you want or need. These dimensions are just a guideline.

    Make Reusable Bags with Old Cotton Sheets

    You'll need:

    1. Full size old fitted sheet - I used a full size for this tutorial to make five bags
    2. Sewing machine
    3. Thread  - I am using a dark colored thread for the tutorial for easy viewing but when you make your own bags, use a coordinating thread color as your sheet.
    4. Scissors
    5. Measuring tape

    To make this washable cotton reusable grocery bag, see the steps below.

    white reusable grocery bag with groceries inside

    Did you try this recipe? We would love your feedback! Click on the stars on the recipe card below.
    Upcycle fitted sheets into reusable bags
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Reusable Grocery Bags

    Many states are banning disposable plastic grocery bags. Make these easy reusable grocery bags out of old cotton linen sheets and you'll be able to wash them to keep them clean!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Author: Dr. Karen Lee

    Ingredients

    • Full size old fitted sheet I used a full size for this tutorial to make five bags
    • Sewing machine
    • Thread I am using a dark colored thread for the tutorial for easy viewing but when you make your own bags, use a coordinating thread color as your sheet.
    • Scissors
    • Measuring tape

    Instructions

    • Cut the elastic around the fitted sheet and fold the sheet in half in any direction . Cut the two layers of this "Tank Top" pattern in approximately these dimensions. These dimensions from disposable plastic bags but they can be smaller or bigger, depending on your needs.
      It is best to use the folded edge of the sheet as the bottom of the grocery bag. But if you have to sew the two pieces at the bottom, double stitch the seam for strength.
      white reusable grocery bag pattern
    • Take the cut out piece from the panel, and hem the top (straight edge) by folding the raw edge under.
      sewing the pocket top on the sewing machine
    • Center the cut out piece on the RIGHT SIDE of the bag and pin the sides.
    • Sew three sides, leaving the top edge open. I use small zigzag stitches to prevent the edges from fraying.
      folding reusable grocery bag
    • With the RIGHT SIDES together, sew around the sides of the bag, reinforcing with double stitches. I used zigzag for the second time around to prevent the edges from fraying.
      sewing the seams of the grocery bags
    • While the bag is turned inside out, fold the two sides inward about two inches. Line up the handles to match. As you can see, the shape of the bag is not exactly square or rectangle. Pin down the folded edges and sew the handles and bottom, as indicated.
      folded sides of grocery bag
    • Turn it inside out and voila! You have a reusable grocery bag! A.K.A. T-Shirt Bag!
      white reusable grocery bag filled with food

    How to fold the reusable bag into the pouch

    • Fold the sides of the grocery bag inward until the edges meet in the middle.
    • Fold the bottom of the bag up under and tuck it in.
    • Tuck in the top under the bag.
      tucked white grocery bag from top
    • Tuck in the rest of the handles under.
      folded handles white reusable bag
    • Place your hand inside the pouch while holding the rest of the bag, turn the pouch inside out.
      lined pouch with the reusable bag
    • Voilà! Neatly tucked reusable grocery bag in a pouch.
      neatly tucked grocery bag in pouch
    • You can make 5 reusable grocery bags with a full size fitted sheets.
      stacked pouches of white reusable grocery bags

    Notes

    You should use cotton sheets so that you can use hot water to sanitize after a few uses. If you need to brighten them, you can use Oxyclean or if it's contaminated, you can use 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 cup hot water. 
    DisclosureThis recipe may contain links that pay commission to this site when you purchase from the links, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure!
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo and mention @drkarenslee or tag #drkarenslee!

    If you like this tutorial, check out these DIY.

    Garment Bags

    Picnic Blanket

    « Instant Pot® Shrimp Fra Diavolo over Penne
    The Best Paleo Beef Stew in Instant Pot® »

    About Dr. Karen Lee

    I am a food writer, recipe developer, and a cookbook author sharing my family’s favorite simple & easy, allergy-friendly recipes with you! Let's connect on Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest || YouTube Learn more about me on the ABOUT page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. HilaryLG says

      June 30, 2013 at 2:39 pm

      for more sensitive fabric, I use an old pillowcase - it's folded and usually big enough to even touch up my husbands suits when they need it.

    2. HilaryLG says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:37 am

      Love it.. always use flat sheets for quilt backings.  Saves lots of $$.  I have a lot of jersey sheets, and make similar market bags.. the stretch, so they are great for holding 5 pounds of potatoes or onions & they hang in the pantry out of the way...

      • ecokaren says

        June 30, 2013 at 2:22 pm

        HilaryLG Oh, I love the idea of produce bag....I assume you can poke holes to make them breathe too. Thanks for that idea!

        • HilaryLG says

          June 30, 2013 at 2:37 pm

          either cut slits or just tine holes (diamond shapes) throughout the bag depending on what I use them for.  I always have 4 or 5 bags of veggies hanging!

    3. mary says

      September 21, 2011 at 9:47 am

      Nice work. I wish I had some sewing skills to actually make these bags. In case you're interested, here's a link to an article showing ways to make some cool stuff out of old towels. I'm sure you could use towels to make these bags too. Here's the link:
      http://www.nathosp.com/product/recycled-towel-ideas

      • ecokaren says

        September 22, 2011 at 5:15 pm

        Great ideas! Thanks!

    4. Auriette says

      October 07, 2010 at 12:25 am

      Even a torn sheet could be useful to an animal shelter. You don't have to have a whole sheet to line a carrier or give a small cat or dog something to bundle up in. Your bag is sturdy enough to hold groceries, so all the animal shelter would need to do is finish cutting it in half and depending on the size, maybe even quarter it.

      Not that your bag isn't a great idea, but I'm just saying that animals don't care if something is faded or a little threadbare.

      • Karen says

        October 07, 2010 at 2:25 pm

        You are absolutely right. Torn sheets can be useful at an animal shelter. I have brought blankets and towels before but never sheets. I guess I really don't have that many sheets for donating. lol... But thanks for that reminder. 🙂

    5. Jenn Flynn-Shon says

      October 04, 2010 at 10:24 am

      What fantastic ideas for old sheets! Sometimes I'll use sections of fitted sheets as pressing cloth for fabrics that shouldn't come into direct contact with my iron surface. I've also been known to use it as stablizing fabric (ie. the piece that gives more structure when sewn in between the finish and liner fabrics). I love the idea of the fold up market bag though, I might have to make a few of those to stuff stockings this holiday season! Thanks 🙂

      • Karen says

        October 04, 2010 at 5:39 pm

        I also use scraps of sheets for ironing too. It is thin enough that it works beautifully! I like the idea of using is as stabilizing fabric. I have to remember that one.

        Although there are talks about reusable grocery bags being unsanitary and repeated washing can also damage the environment, I still prefer these cloth ones to disposable plastic ones or the reusable ones. Plastic is just a bad idea. Glad you like the idea. You'll make some people very happy (and eco-friendly!)

    Primary Sidebar

    Smiling Asian woman wearing pink collared shirt
    Karen Lee

    Hi, I'm Karen! I am a food writer, recipe developer, and a cookbook author sharing my family’s favorite allergy-friendly, simple & easy recipes with you!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Ginger Lemon Honey Immune Booster Syrup
    • Perfect Paleo Pot Roast: Grain-Free & Low-Carb
    • Korean Style Paleo Seafood Pancakes
    • Air Fried Shrimp with Garlic and Butter
    subscribe to newsletter box
    Subscribe for Newsletters HERE

    Footer

    ↑ Back to top

    Need

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility

    Want

    • About
    • Contact

    Wish

    • Newsletter
    • Cookbooks

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES

    Copyright © 2022 Karen Lee

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Print