rebundance DAF85AE_e1k Upcycled Shopping Bag Kit Instructions
- June 13, 2024
- rebundance
Table of Contents
rebundance DAF85AE_e1k Upcycled Shopping Bag Kit
Specifications
- Finished Product Size: 18″ wide x 15″ tall, 4.5″ wide
- Materials Needed: Pillowcase(s), Sewing Machine, Sewing Ruler, Measuring Tape, Rotary Cutter or Fabric Scissors, Thread, Iron and Ironing Board, Pins and/or Clips, Safety Pin, Chalk or Fabric Pen
Product Usage Instructions
Before You Begin:
Pillowcases may vary in size and seam placement. This tutorial is based on a
standard twin pillowcase. Adjustments may be needed for larger pillowcases.
-
Step 1: Cutting
Follow the cutting instructions as shown in Figure 1 on page 3 of the manual. If making mix and match bags, repeat the process on the other pillowcase. -
Step 2: Sew the Straps
Follow the sewing instructions for creating the straps. -
Step 3: Sew the Body
Proceed with sewing the main body of the shopping bag.
Upcycle a Pillowcase into a Shopping Bag
A beginner friendly sewing tutorial to turn pillowcases into lightweight & portable shopping bags. The bags fold in on themselves so you never forget your bag!
Finished Product Size – 18” wide x 15” tall, 4.5” wide
1 pillow case makes 1 shopping bag with all the same color/pattern, or 2
pillow cases can make 2 bags with contrasting straps and pocket. If you want
to make bags with contrasting colors, cut both pillow cases and then swap the
pocket and straps!
Video Tutorial
What you need
- A pillowcase (or two if you want to mix and match) Sewing Machine
- Sewing Ruler (3 x 18″ or larger)
- Measuring Tape
- Rotary cutter or Fabric Scissors
- Thread
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Pins and/or Clips
- Safety Pin (or other turning device) Chalk or Fabric Pen
Before you Begin
Pillow cases vary. They may come with size differences and may have seams on different edges. This pattern is based on a standard twin pillow case, so some larger pillow cases may be wider and/or longer. The pattern will work, you will just get a larger bag and have more scrap fabric at the end.
Sometimes the bottom edge will be folded instead of sewn, or sometimes the fold will be a side edge. Sometimes all three edges are sewn! If a side doesn’t have a seam, then you can cut the straps on that side of the pillow case so that there isn’t a seam down the middle.
-
Step 1. Cutting:
See figure 1 on page 3 for visiual instructions.- Cut the body of the bag by cutting 16.5” from the bottom edge and set aside.
- Next, on the leftover fabric cut 8” from the cut edge. This will make an 8” wide loop. Turn the fabric 90 degrees. Cut the seam off of one side of the loop so it is a long strip. Cut 7” from the cut edge.
- Take the fabric you set aside, open it, and square this piece to 7×7” for the pocket.
- Take the remaining 8” wide fabric and cut it down the middle to 4” wide. This will give you two long strips for the straps. You can adjust the length to what you prefer, but I recommend between 24-26”.
- On the body piece that you set aside, mark and cut out 2.5” x 2.5” squares from the bottom corners of the body.
*If you are making mix and match bags repeat this entire process on the other pillowcase. Use the body in one color and the straps and pocket in the other color.
-
Step 2. Sew the Straps
-
Fold the strap pieces in half the long way with right sides together and pin or clip.
-
Sew the long edge 2. with a ¼” seam.
-
Turn right side out and iron flat.
-
Step 3. Sew the Body
Top of bag: Prepping the top seam
-
Turn the bag wrong side out, fold down the top edge ¼” and press with an iron. Fold over again at 1” down and press.
-
Measure 4.5” in from the outer left edge of the top fold and make a mark. Repeat from the right edge. Do this on both sides. You will have 2 marks on each side, 4.5” in from the outer edge.
-
At the first mark, place the end of one of the straps under the 1” fold with the seam facing the middle.. Fold the strap up towards the top. Pin in place. Take the other end of the same strap and place it under the fold at the next mark on the same side. Fold the strap up and pin in place. Turn over and repeat on the opposite side with the second strap. Be careful not to twist the strap. The strap seam should remain facing towards the middle to ensure it isn’t twisted.
-
Pin along the rest of the top edge of the 1” fold to hold it in place.
Sew ing the Top Seam
-
With the wrong side facing up start sewing on the lefthand side of the fold, with an 1/8” seam allowance. Sew a straight line all the way along the edge to make a full circle. this will secure the bottom fold of the strap in place. Do this on both sides.
-
Next, sew the righthand edge of the fold with an ⅛” seam allowance. When you come to a strap you will create an X to hold it in place (see figure 2). Leave the needle down and raise the presser foot each time you turn. Turn your piece to sew a diagonal to the oppposite corner, stopping ⅛” from the edge. Turn and sew along the strap edge to the corner, stopping ⅛” from the edge. Turn and sew diagonally to the opposite corner, stopping ⅛” from the edge. Turn and sew along the last edge to the corner. You should be back at the top seam and can continue sewing along the top until you come to another strap. Repeat the X pattern and finish sewing along the top edge to the end.
-
Box bottom
-
Keep the body wrong side out. Take the cutout square and pull open the corners so that the bottom and side edge are lined up, and it creates a straight line. Pin or clip along the raw edge. Select an overlock stitch if your machine has that. This will make the seam stronger. Otherwise use a zig zag or straight stitch. Sew ¼” along the edge. Repeat on other side.
-
Step 4. Sew the Pocket
-
Place the pocket square wrong side up and make a ¼” fold on each side. Mark 1/2″ around the square then fold and press each side. Then fold the edge over again and and press. This will make about a 3/8″ edge. Do this on all four sides.
-
To make the top of the pocket, Sew one of the pressed sides with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
-
Match the middle of the pocket to the middle of the straps. Once the pocket is where you want it, pin it in place. You can put the pocket on either the inside or the outside.
-
Sew the side, bottom and other side of the pocket down onto the bag with a 1/4″ seam allowance.