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.
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:
- 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
To make this washable cotton reusable grocery bag, see the steps below.
Reusable Grocery Bags
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.
- Take the cut out piece from the panel, and hem the top (straight edge) by folding the raw edge under.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Turn it inside out and voila! You have a reusable grocery bag! A.K.A. T-Shirt Bag!
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.
- Tuck in the rest of the handles under.
- Place your hand inside the pouch while holding the rest of the bag, turn the pouch inside out.
- Voilà! Neatly tucked reusable grocery bag in a pouch.
- You can make 5 reusable grocery bags with a full size fitted sheets.
Notes
If you like this tutorial, check out these DIY.
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.
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…
HilaryLG Oh, I love the idea of produce bag….I assume you can poke holes to make them breathe too. Thanks for that idea!
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!
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
Great ideas! Thanks!
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.
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. 🙂
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 🙂
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!)