A shopping bag is simply a necessary thing in the household. Such a product can be used for trips to the grocery store or the market. In such a bag, you can carry things to the country, transport items that can dirty a regular bag. Multifunctionality is complemented by the ease of self-production. Even an inexperienced needlewoman can sew the simplest bag.
Materials and tools
Before you start working, you should stock up on all the necessary tools and materials. The list basically has a few items, since the product is not distinguished by a complex design:
- Silk threads in the color of the main material. Such threads can be used to reliably sew any type of fabric.
- Thread and needle or safety pins to use for preliminary pattern assembly.
- Ruler (measuring tape), chalk (pencil), Whatman paper. All this is needed to prepare the pattern.
- For finishing stitching, it is better to use a sewing machine. Then the stitches will be neat and even. This will significantly affect the appearance of the product.
- If you are using thick fabric, you may need an awl.
- The main thing is the fabric. One type of textile or several can be used – it all depends on the complexity of the chosen model.
Additional information! To sew a patch pocket inside or outside, to make a lining, it is worth choosing a fabric with a print.
Additionally, you may need fittings. These are usually rivets, buttons, snap hooks or zippers. Such small items serve as a fastener.
What fabric to sew from
Before sewing a shopping bag, it is worth initially choosing the right fabric for this. Not every textile is suitable for this type of bag. It is necessary to take into account that the product will be mainly used for transporting products, used at home, which is why there is a high risk of serious contamination.
For your information! A shopping bag is not a string bag, which you can simply rinse under the tap and it will return to its original appearance; here the process of getting rid of dirt can take much more time.
In addition, I don’t really want to spend a lot of money on purchasing material that will be used to make such an item that will be used for a variety of household purposes. Moreover, there may be a need for a quick change of the product.
The following types of textiles will be ideal options:
- Bologna. The bag in this case should be lined. Bologna itself is not a very durable and practical fabric. In addition to everything, it does not hold its shape at all. But it washes off various stains perfectly and does not get wet. The cost of this fabric option is low, and the colors are pleasing with their variety.
- Dermantine or, as people say, dermantine. A very practical option for a shopping bag. The material holds any shape perfectly, is very durable and is easy to clean from dirt. The only drawback is that with prolonged use, the top layer begins to peel off. As a result, the product loses its attractive appearance.
- Jeans. The most popular and affordable material, which has many advantages. Durable, does not lose color after numerous washes, holds the shape of the basic pattern well, and is easy to wash off dirt. You can get the fabric absolutely free if you use old jeans for sewing.
- Raincoat. An excellent alternative to bologna. Easy to process, dries quickly after washing and repels moisture, inexpensive. An excellent option for a model that will fold during transportation. Such a product can be carried in a lady's bag if necessary.
Please note! In order not to buy raincoat fabric or bologna, you can take the material from an old umbrella. This shape can become a basic pattern, and the old umbrella will serve in this capacity as well.
In addition to all the listed factors for choosing such fabrics, you also need to consider the ease of processing textiles, its strength. Additionally, you can use cotton, chintz and even decorative burlap. But these options are good only for their environmental friendliness. The practicality of such products is low, since the fabric is poorly washed from dirt and quickly becomes unusable.
Patterns for a shopping bag
The pattern of a shopping bag can have completely different options - each model has its own characteristics and is designed to perform certain functions. In order not to complicate the process of creating an item for household needs, it is worth choosing the simplest forms. Such is the string bag, which is also called a torba.
Important! Before choosing a string bag model, you should immediately decide what kind of fabric will be used.
Step-by-step algorithm for creating a pattern on fabric for such a model:
- You need to prepare a strip of fabric measuring 50 cm by 130 cm.
- The left edge needs to be folded upwards so as to align it with the side of the strip.
- Fold the right edge from the top down using the same principle as the left one.
- There will be a square left in the center, and triangles will form at the edges.
- Select a diagonal in the central square. Fold the piece along this diagonal.
- Fold the pattern according to the diagram provided.
- Iron the assembled piece to secure all the necessary folds.
Once the basic pattern is ready, you can start sewing the product. You can inspect the pattern beforehand, checking whether all the parts of the product lie evenly.
The process of making a shopping bag (bag)
The master class on sewing such a bag is not complicated. All stages of forming the base are quite simple. Even a novice seamstress can cope with the task. To make the work easier, it is worth preparing the workplace - organize good lighting and remove unnecessary items.
How to sew a grocery bag using a pre-made pattern:
- Connect all the joints of the resulting pattern with safety pins. You can stitch with a basting stitch.
- To make the product voluminous, you need to sew the lower corners, which will form the bottom, on the bias. To do this, separate equal triangles on each side. The figures must be made identical.
- All seams are sewn on a sewing machine using any seam. But it is better to use a zigzag seam. The edges of the cuts must be overcast or folded beforehand when sewing.
- To hide the handle joint, which will be located exactly in the middle of the shoulder, it is recommended to sew a tube from the fabric. It is enough to prepare a strip of fabric measuring 8 × 15 cm. Neaten the edges and connect the edges together along the longer side.
- Place a fabric tube on the top edge before sewing, and only then secure the parts on the sewing machine. Pull the tube over the seam. The part does not require fixation.
The main string bag for household use is ready. The next step will be decoration. You can sew a patch pocket onto the base made of the same fabric as the tube on the handle.
You can also make another model of a string bag. For this, you should use a simpler pattern. The sewing process will be much simpler, since only the details on the sides are sewn together. The best option would be a bag model:
At the same time, any model is quite compact and functional in terms of transportation.
For your information! Any design can be folded and carried in a handbag - it will not take up much space. Due to the baggy shape, the product is spacious and convenient to use.
Useful tips for sewing fabric bags
Each pattern of any bag is a basic foundation, but there are some secrets that will help make the thing more practical and durable. If you use them in the process of sewing a shopping bag, the thing can serve for many years without losing its practicality.
Helpful tips:
- Before you start sewing, you should check the fabric for shrinkage, the quality of the dye and the features of the fabric. A small piece of material should be washed and waited for it to dry, having previously wrapped the still damp fabric in white cotton. Then compare the resulting dimensions with the initial ones. The next step is to check whether the white fabric has been dyed. If many threads have frayed on the cuts and the fabric itself is divided into fibers, then there is no point in working with such fabric.
- To strengthen the seams, you can sew a cord into the hem when overcasting or stitch them on top with a strip of thick fabric.
- Decorating can be reduced to gluing a heat-seal sticker onto the main canvas. Such decoration can always be changed, and you won’t have to mess around with it for long.
- When creating a pattern, do not forget to add fabric for seam allowances. If you do not do this at this stage, the product will be smaller than expected.
- When preparing a pattern or a cutout from fabric, you need to carefully monitor the direction of the thread of the fabric. If each part has a different direction, the product will be deformed even during the sewing process.
- The practicality of a bag for household needs is determined by its ease of use. Do not overload the product with decor that will only get in the way.
If you take into account all the advice during the work process and adhere to them, the product will turn out beautiful, of the correct shape and practical.
For your information! It should also be taken into account that such an item in the outfit of a housewife going to the market for groceries is still not a lady's handbag, and excessive decoration is simply out of place here.
In order not to drag purchases in unreliable bags, which are also expensive, you need to sew a special shopping bag. Making a home accessory can be done without any extra costs and time if you choose a simple model and use old clothes as material. Usually, sewing such a thing takes no more than 1-2 hours.
