The "shopper" bag* does not lose its popularity. This model is characterized by its capacity and convenience, so it is ideal for everyday wear. It can be carried in your hands or on your shoulder, and not only when shopping, but also on walks. The main advantage of this eco-accessory is that you can make it yourself. This article presents a master class "DIY shopper bag - product pattern".
Popular models of bags
"Shoppers" have their own distinctive features that distinguish them from other models:
- no zippers to make it easy to store your groceries;
- short wide handles to make the bag comfortable to carry. Many shoppers come with a long strap;
- Most models have a separate pocket for small items.
The shopper bag is chosen for its convenience and practicality. You can take everything you need and still go for a walk without any problems.
There are various models of this accessory, which differ not only in shape, size, but also in material. It is sewn from natural and artificial fabrics. Particularly bold fashionistas can knit or buy a canvas version, similar to a string bag.
Laminated fabric model for food products
A shopper bag made of this material is one of the popular options. Laminated fabric is highly wear-resistant and durable, allowing the product to withstand the heavy weight of products. Another major advantage is its environmental friendliness, because this material does not emit toxic substances.
But laminated fabric also has its disadvantages. The main one is weak water resistance, the product gets wet very quickly. Also, such bags are not suitable for the cold season. Laminated fabric has low frost resistance. But some manufacturers improve their models by adding new materials to its structure.
Made from synthetic materials
Another common option is to use synthetic fabric. They are very popular among young people due to their bright colors and low cost. This is a summer option for an everyday accessory. Synthetics are easy to wash, they dry quickly and retain their shape for a long time. Most models are equipped with drawstrings instead of fasteners.
Denim
Denim is a durable material that has already become a classic in the textile industry. But they are not universal, because they are not suitable for every style of clothing. They are most harmoniously combined with a youth style.
Most often, they sew models of a discreet design. But there are items decorated with appliques or laconic inscriptions. Sometimes designers offer denim accessories for shopping with fringe and uneven cuts.
Suede
Suede - artificial and natural - looks beautiful, so it is not surprising that designers use this fabric to create a shopping bag. Most often, this material is chosen for the production of expensive branded products. Artificial is made in woven and non-woven ways.
Suede is often complemented with decorative elements - buckles, fringe, rivets. Natural suede tolerates sudden temperature changes well, so it can be worn both in winter and summer. In order for a product made of this fabric to last a long time, it must be carefully looked after.
Leather
Some of the most popular are leather products - natural and artificial. They can be either matte or varnished. Bags made of artificial leather are cheaper than products made of natural material. But their disadvantage is their lower durability and greater susceptibility to temperature changes.
Important! Patent leather bags should not be worn in cold weather. Low temperatures and sudden changes in temperature will cause cracks to appear.
Leather shopping bags look stylish, designers additionally decorate them with rivets, imitation zippers. The most durable and high-quality products are those made from animal skin. They are highly frost-resistant, so they are more practical to wear.
Cotton
This material is ideal for a summer bag, it is durable and dense, and can withstand the weight of large products. The advantage of a cotton bag is also its ease of care, unlike suede and leather products. To make the bag more durable, synthetic fibers are added to cotton.
Cotton shopping bags come in a variety of colors, thanks to the fact that this fabric is easy to dye. Such a bag can be folded - it will not lose its shape, will not wrinkle and will look stylish.
Fur
Fur is usually used for decoration. But some designers create full-fledged products from it. Artificial and natural fur are suitable for sewing. Their main feature is seasonality, because fur items, including shopper bags, are suitable for the cold season.
Materials and tools
How to sew a "shopper"? Even beginners can make such a practical accessory. For this you will need:
- 2 pieces of thick fabric;
- 2 wide strong tapes;
- threads;
- special needles suitable for working with dense materials. To do this, you need to look at the needle number in the corresponding table;
- tailor's scissors;
- sewing machine;
- iron;
- paper;
- special marker for fabric.
If a girl wants to quickly make a "shopper", a pattern will simplify the sewing process. Before starting work, you need to take care of sufficient lighting.
How to sew a comfortable shopper bag
To sew a "shopper" yourself, you do not need to have special skills. First, the details of the product are drawn on paper, and then transferred to the fabric with a special marker. Its special feature is that it is easy to wash off. The simplest option is a rectangular "shopper" bag. Here is a step-by-step instruction for sewing a fashionable and ergonomic bag:
- You need to take 2 pieces of thick fabric, connect them together and sew them on a sewing machine on only three sides.
- The top edge of the bag needs to be folded inward twice by 1 cm and also stitched on a sewing machine.
- Each ribbon needs to be folded lengthwise and stitched. Then turn it inside out and sew it to the top edge of the bag – these will be the handles of the product.
- Next, you can decorate the bag with beautiful appliques or sew on fabric of a different color.
- If possible, you can overlock the edges of the finished product.
A stylish and comfortable bag for shopping and walking is ready. The product needs to be washed and then ironed. Instead of an applique, you can draw or embroider a beautiful pattern yourself.
Helpful Tips for Making a Shopper Bag
It is not difficult to sew this product, but there are a few subtleties that will help make the manufacturing process easier:
- It is better to choose cotton or synthetic fabric, because denser ones will be more difficult to work with;
- when sewing the edges of the product, you need to bend them inward by a couple of centimeters, so the bag will be more durable;
- to turn the handles inside out, you don't need to grind one edge. Use a pencil to turn the tape inside out;
- It is better to sew the edges of the product with strong threads;
- handles can be made from a denser material, because they are the ones that most often tear in the product;
- You can make an additional lining, but you need to take less fabric scraps than the original materials and sew the lining on after the bag is made.
Some people sew on a zipper to make the item look more stylish. But this accessory is not originally designed to have a zipper. It is enough to make a drawstring or, at the simplest, sew on a button.
How to Choose a Good Shopper Bag
You shouldn't expect high quality from products at a very low price. It is not necessary to buy a brand model - you can find a good option in the middle price segment. When buying a shopper bag, you need to pay attention to:
- on the bag handles - they must be as strong as possible to withstand heavy loads;
- there must be no damage on the product;
- on the fasteners - they must be in working order;
- on the material. It is better to buy bags made of natural materials (cotton, linen) – this way they will last longer;
- on the seams - they should be neat and strong. There should be no protruding threads either on the product itself or on the handles.
It is better to buy a shopper bag in specialized stores, because they offer higher quality products. You can also find products from famous designer brands there. A shopper bag will not suit small and miniature girls, because the image will turn out to be inharmonious. It is better to give preference to a product of a smaller size and a non-geometric shape.
The shopper bag does not give up its leading positions, and with the emergence of a trend for practicality and eco-friendliness, it has become even more relevant. Designers offer various design options: you can find both adult "ladies'" options made of suede and leather, as well as a more youthful design.
*The word is derived from the word “shopping”, which has already acquired a clear spelling in the Russian language with one “p”, and therefore it would be correct to write “shopper” and not “shopper”, but for the convenience of readers, both options are used in the article (editor's note).
