Sustainable Sewing Projects - Grocery Store Swaps!

Sustainable Sewing Projects - Grocery Store Swaps!

Sustainability and low or zero waste lifestyles have become increasingly popular in recent years in response to helping our planet out a little bit more. Leading up to earth day on the 22nd, we’re going to be releasing sustainable sewing projects to help you decrease your footprint, and save a few bucks by making them instead of buying them! First stop – the grocery store!

Today we’re going to be making a slouch tote for you to take grocery shopping with you! In many places single use plastics are becoming less common, but in grocery stores where there are still lots of single use options, it’s easy to cut down on plastic use with this simple swap. Let’s make your tote bag.

A picture containing person, outdoor Description automatically generated

Start with 4 rectangles of fabric measured at 18 in x 31.5 in or 46cm x 80cm.

A picture containing person Description automatically generated

Along one of the short ends, measure 8 in or 20cm in from either side, and mark the fabric with tailor’s chalk or a fabric marker.

A person writing on a piece of paper Description automatically generated with medium confidence

From those points, measure 2 in or 4.5 cm to cut a notch in the fabric. To make sure the notches are lined up perfectly you can cut the notch with the fabric right sides together.

A picture containing person Description automatically generated

For this project, we’re going to be using our 50wt 100% Egyptian cotton thread called Konfetti™. Konfetti™ is the perfect thread for this project because the cotton thread is not only durable and able to handle the largest of grocery runs, it’s also easily biodegradable at the end of its life! For this project, we’re using Konfetti™ as out top thread, and our bobbin thread.

You can find Konfetti™ in a store near you, or in our online shop here

Graphical user interface, text, chat or text message Description automatically generated

If you don’t want to wind your own bobbin, you can also use these bobbins that come pre-wound with DecoBob™, an 80wt cottonized polyester thread.

Graphical user interface, text, chat or text message Description automatically generated

These fantastic pre-wound bobbins last forever because they come factory wound with more thread than your home sewing machine can do, and the plastic bobbins can also be reused so you can keep them in your sewing room for future projects. The bobbins are also made from recyclable plastic, so you can toss them in your recycling bin after you’re done with them.

You can find DecoBob™ prewound bobbins in a store near you, or in our online shop here

A picture containing text, person, striped Description automatically generated

A picture containing person Description automatically generated

Mark the middle point of these two rectangles along the edge of the fabric, and stitch halfway up the long edge of the fabric, right sides together, starting at the end with the notches. Backstitch and snip your thread once you’ve reached the halfway point.

A picture containing person, striped Description automatically generated

Fold the bag so the two side seams are on top of each other and line up the top edges of the bag.

A picture containing person, sewing machine, indoor, appliance Description automatically generated

Stitch across the bottom, avoiding the notches on either side.

A picture containing person, indoor, hand Description automatically generated

A picture containing person, indoor, guitar Description automatically generated

Fold the notches so that they create a flat edge and stitch across. This will give the bag a more structured bottom.

A picture containing indoor Description automatically generated

Repeat these steps with the lining fabric, and once both sides of the bag are finished put the lining inside of the outer fabric, wrong sides together and pin the seams of the strap and fold a small portion under to create a clean edge, and pin in place.

A picture containing person Description automatically generated

Stitch around the seam of the strap using a ¼” seam allowance. If you’d like to reinforce the seam a bit where the strap meets the body of the bag, you can run some zigzag stitching across that point.

A picture containing person, feet Description automatically generated

Fold the outermost edges of the arm strap to meet in the middle underneath. Press so that they stay in place, and pin in place if you’d like. Run a line of stitching across the top of the strap to create a tapered look, or use a ladder stitch to create an invisible stitch at the top of the strap.

A picture containing person, wearing, close Description automatically generated

And there you have it, your new grocery bag is finished, and ready to hold all of your fresh food! You’ll be surprised how easy these small swatches are, and they’re compact so you can keep a set in all of your modes of transportation, or a set in your most commonly used bags when going out!

And if you’d like to make produce bags to further reduce your single use plastic use you can check out this super useful tutorial: https://wellnessmama.com/119222/diy-produce-bags/

If you’re going to be making this slouch tote, don’t forget to tag us on social media by using #wonderfil so that we can see, and share your wonderful creations! If you’d like to see what this tutorial was inspired by, you can check out this blog for more tutorials like this: https://www.greeniedressesforless.com/2018/04/fabric-bag-free-sewing-pattern.html

Graphical user interface, text, application Description automatically generated

You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the first look at projects, sewing tips that will make you jump for joy, and inspiring tutorials. Click here to subscribe! And if you’re all about garment making, we have the perfect newsletter for you. Get exclusive first access to patterns and projects, tips to make the best of your garment making. Subscribe to our educational WonderFil wearables newsletter for tips and tutorials specific to garment making, all delivered straight to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to the WonderFil Wearables newsletter. We’ll see you again next time!

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.