Re useable Produce Bags and Totes

Tote Bags

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1yd of Fabric for the outside
• 1yd of Fabric for the lining and straps
• Sewing machine
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Thread
• Cloth marking pen
• Straight pins
• Iron

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the outer fabric of the tote bag cut 2 - 14"x 17" rectangles. Match the 2 rectangles with the right sides of the fabric together. The 14" sides will be your top and bottom of the bag. Sew a 1/4" inch seam all the way around the rectangle, leaving the top seam open.


2. Working on the bottom seam of your bag, take one of the corners, pull apart the front and back sides of your tote bag fabric so you can match up the bottom seam to the side seam. This will create a triangle with the seams running down the center. Pin through the matched seams securing the bottom and side seams together.


3. Working on the bottom side of the bag, place a ruler on the fabric, moving down from the point till you measure a width of 4" of fabric. Draw a line. Sew along that line. Cut off the tip of the triangle, approximately 1/2" above the stitched line.


4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 on the other bottom corner.


5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the lining of the tote bag.


6. For the straps, cut 2 - 24"x 6" strips of fabric. Take one strip and fold it in half creating a 24"x 3" strip and press. Open the strip and fold each 24" side in toward the center fold and press. Fold the strip in half and press. This will create a 24" x 1 1/2" strip. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the open side to secure all the layers of the strap.


7. Repeat step 6 for the second strap.


8. Place the outer fabric bag inside the lining bag with right side together. Match up the side seams and pin. On one side (front side) of the bag, place the strap between the outer fabric and the lining so that the both ends are lined up with the open edge, approx. 4" from the side seams. Pin in place. Repeat previous step for the other side (back side) of the bag.


9. Sew 1/2" seam around the top of the bag making sure to leave one section of the top between the set of pinned handles open so the bag can be turned right side out. Turn the bag right side out through the opening. Turn in edge seam of the opening, pin, and top stitch all around the top of the bag to close the opening and secure the handles.

JOANN HACKS:

• Pressing folded seams will make sewing easier.

Drawstring Bags

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/2yd Fabric for the bag
• 1/4yd Fabric for the ties
• Sewing machine
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Iron

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the bag cut a 10"x 28" rectangle from the yard of fabric.


2. On the wrong side of the fabric fold one of the 28" sides in 1/4" and press.


3. Fold the fabric in half with the right sides of the fabric together. The sides will be 14" and the top will be 10". Match up and pin the sides together. Sew 1/4" seam on the un-pressed seam side. On the pressed seam side, sew a 1/4" seam starting approx. 1 1/4" down from the top.


4. Fold in the top of the bag down 1/4" and press. Fold the top down again, 1" and press. Stitch into place along the bottom fold, leaving a space for the bag tie to slide through. Turn the bag right side out.


5. For Drawstring, cut 30"x 3" strip of fabric. Take the strip and fold in half creating a 30"x 1 1/2" strip and press. Open the strip and fold each 30" side in toward the center fold and press. Fold the strip in half and press. This will create a 30"x 1/2" strap. Stitch 1/4" seam to secure all the layers of the strap.


6. Thread the drawstring through the top of the bag. Tie the ends together.