An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Plastic Bags

Step 1

As far as I can tell, everyone and their dog has written about sewing eco-bags 😀 I have just one complaint about them: because they are so “flat,” they are not all that roomy, so I suggest a different sewing method—slightly alter the pattern and make a T-shirt-style shopping bag 😉

This bag will easily hold a small cartful of groceries, and its wide handles make it comfortable to carry over your shoulder.

Step 2

Now for the pattern: I found this version online and it seemed like the best option (the seam allowances are already included). One clarification—it is one quarter (!) of the bag.

Step 3

A little trick for experienced sewists: fold the fabric in half crosswise, then in half lengthwise. Pin the resulting layers together, align them along the folds, and cut out ONE piece. If that is hard to visualize, cut out 2 pieces by simply folding the fabric in half.

Step 4

Prepare the bias-binding strip in advance.

Step 5

Return to the bag: align the side edges and pin them together (with right sides facing inward).

Step 6

Sew the side seams and trim the seam allowances.

Step 7

Turn the bag right side out, press the seam allowances open, and topstitch from the outside—this is important for durability, and it also means the inside raw edges do not need finishing.

Step 8

Press the seam allowances to one side. Repeat the entire process for the other side seam.

Step 9

To give the bag volume, make pleats at the bottom—measure 10 cm from the side seams along the bottom edge.

Step 10

Fold the pleats inward (wrong side facing out).

Step 11

Align the raw edges, making sure the pleats line up with them as well.

Step 12

Sew the same double seam along the bottom as on the side edges, only make the seam allowances wider, about 0.7–0.5 cm. Before topstitching the bottom, press the seam allowances open and secure the pleats with pins.

Step 13

Stitch 0.7 cm from the edge.

Step 14

Now turn your attention to the binding: fold under 0.5 cm along the entire edge and press the fold.

Step 15

Finish the outer edge of the handles by pinning the free edge of the binding to the raw edge.

Step 16

Then turn the binding to the other side, pin it to the reverse side of the raw edge, and stitch again.

Step 17

The bias-bound edge looks very neat from the right side 👍

Step 18

Finish the inner edges of the handles in the same way.

Step 19

And enjoy the result :sneaky:😍