Shopping Bag - Sewing Tutorial

Let's sew some shopping bags using an easy tutorial!

These shopping bags were my Christmas gifts for my family.

These are not large grocery bags, I made a pattern that uses only one yard of fabric.
It can be carried in the purse and you will not need so many plastic bags.
The bags measure 13"x16.5" (without handles).

I used nice cotton quilting fabrics,

and the best thing: they are reversible, what you see below is the same bag!

Let's sew this shopping bag.

You will need:
- one half yard of fabric for the outer bag
- one half yard for the lining.
NOTE:  You could use four fat quarters as well.
Pre-wash your fabrics.

1. The pattern
Download the pattern.
It is only half of the pattern. It comes on three pages. Print the pattern twice.
Tape the pages together. Then tape together one half of the pattern with the reverse of the other half.

2. Fold the half-yard pieces in half as shown below, with the right side inside. Align all the edges then press.

Your paper pattern should look like in the picture below. I used tracing paper for my pattern.
Place the pattern onto fabric, there are 4 layers underneath the paper.

3. Trace around all edges using a permanent marker.

Use a ruler to trace the straight lines.
Cut on the lines. Use a rotary cutter to cut on the straight lines and scissors to cut on the curves.

These are the four pieces. Keep them in pairs, with the right sides together.

4. Sew along the sides and the bottom. Reinforce the seams by sewing again over the previous stitch. Sew using a 3/8" seam allowance.
Repeat this step with the lining.
5. Press all the seams.

6. Clip the corners.

7. Turn the bag and the lining right side out.
Press all the seams again, on the right side.

8. Turn the outer bag wrong side out and put the lining into it (with right sides together).

9. Attach the lining to the outer bag by sewing the curved edges together.


10. Sew the other curved edges, but leave an opening. Backstitch where the opening starts and stops.

At this stage clip into the seam allowance on the curved edges (I forgot to take pictures). Be careful not to clip the seam.

11. Turn the outer bag with the right side out. Here you will see why I told you to backstitch.

It doesn't look too pretty now...
12. Iron all the seams and carefully close the opening (stitching by hand or by machine).
Topstitch around all the edges (as close as you want ).

13. Now we have to sew the handles together.
Place them together aligning the raw edges and sew about 3/4" away from the edges. Double the seam.

Trim one seam allowance close to the stitching.

Fold in half the other seam allowance covering the trimmed seam allowance.

Fold again the seam allowance over the left handle and topstitch. Double this seam.
If you use a thicker fabric you will need a jeans needle (#90/14).
Press the seam.

The bag is ready !
This is a quick and easy project. I sewn six bags in just a few hours. The only time consuming step is ironing the fabric!

If you are not in a hurry, you can make even a more elegant version, with rounded corners.
I made only one. I also sewn a pleat.

I hope this tutorial is useful. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me.

I am glad I found another way to show off the beautiful fabrics from my stash !
Happy sewing shopping bags,

Geta