Market Bag Tutorial

Earth Day Sewing Project

Going green is so hard.  About a year ago I decided to start using reusable market bags.  I was so proud of myself....until I learned that the bags I had purchased had been recalled because of lead paint.  How ironic that the the bags that were supposed to be helping the planet were spewing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere in the manufacturing process.  They weren't very well made either and would have had to be replaced............

  

Solution: Make my own

This bag would probably go for $12 if I had bought it.  I made it for $2.  The straps are recycled.  They are used at the lumber yards for tie downs.  My husband is a contractor so I have an endless supply of them.  You could ask your local lumber yard to save you their scraps or buy some from the fabric store.  It just so happened that the orange straps match perfectly with the earth day fabric I got off the clearance rack.  The pocket comes in handy and the straps are extra long so you can throw it over your shoulder.  It is washable and extra sturdy and should last a very long time.......... 

Fabric.com has an entire line of Eco friendly products.  From yarn to fabric and even all the supplies you will need to make you own diapers including a pattern.  Now that's green.  They also carry a variety of canvas to make this project.

Market Bag Tutorial

1. Cut one piece of cotton duct/canvas type material, 41" x 22".
Place a 7" x 7" pocket(hemmed) 7" from the top edge.  Hem the top edges of the bag(the 22" wide portion).
2-3. Sew on a 1" wide strap that is 3-3/4 yd long, 7" from the edge of the bag, over lapping the pocket.(The strap can be shorter if you like.)
4-5.  Bring the top edges together with wrong sides facing and sew the sides up using a 1/4" seam allowance.
6.  Now turn it wrong sides out and press a sharp edge.  Top stitch using a 1/2" seam allowance. 

7. Now you have an encased seam side seam.
8-9.  To form the bottom open the bag and flatten the corners.  Measure 8-1/2" across making sure that you have it level and square.  Draw a line and sew on the line. Now turn right side out.
10. Iron the sides so that it is square when folded.
11. Top stitch very close to the edge around the sides.  This makes the bag fold nicely and makes it stand up better.
12.  Cut a piece of stiff board to place into the bottom.


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