Saturday, October 20, 2012

Old Bag Makes New Bags


Make a pattern from an old plastic grocery sack traced on to an old paper grocery sack. Lay out 1/2 yard of two pieces of fabric since bag will be reversible. Cut out.


 Sew around the sides and bottom of bags. Stitch again over the top of the previous stitching for reinforcement. Clip corners.
 Place one bag inside the other - right sides together. Pin top together. Leave opening for turning and pin bag straps 1/2 inch from the top.
 Sew together. Clip curves.
 And make sure not to stitch all the way to the top of the straps.   Turn bag inside out through the opening.
 Sew straps together.
 Pin openings closed in top and straps and blind stitch closed.
 Top stitch around top of bag. Reinforce straps by sewing across the seam previously blind stitched closed.
Voila...reversible bags in a matter of minutes.

My granddaughters will turn 8 in October (on Halloween) and December (on Pearl Harbor Day) and I will use these as their gift bags. Now I just need to decide on gifts to fill the bags.

 I'm linking up to Sew Many Ways Sew Darn Crafty linky party - a great place to pick up ideas. Also linking to Linky Party Tuesday at Freemotion by the River. 

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, that was a duh moment for me, LOL. I have been wanting to make some bags, but just did not find a pattern I liked. I WILL be using your 'pattern'. Thanks for the laugh on myself.

Love the bags, and thanks for the tutorial.

blessings,jill

Cyn said...

Nice bags. Good explanation. I had forgotten how to close the handle [shoulder] seams... thanks. Reminded me of all the sundresses I made for my DDs through the years when they were little.

Kate said...

Love the fabrics that you've used. Thanks for sharing the how-to.

Cyra said...

Many thanks for this quick and easy bag tutorial. Just what I need for a couple of birthdays coming up next month.
Thanks for sharing.

Judy said...

Wonderful bags. Something else to add to my bucket list of projects!! Thanks for sharing!

Sweet Woodruff said...

So cool. I've got to remember to do this for gifts.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wonderful bags and a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday