When you go shopping, what do you use for your shopping items? Recently some stores are starting to charge for the shopping bags. A simple handmade reusable bag (eco bag) can be personalized by choosing interesting fabrics or fabric combinations. Sewing aficionados can show off their talents! Today’s project allows you to combine your favorite fabrics in many different ways. A popular blogger Yuki Inomata, aka neige+ has returned to share her creative ideas!
Fabric shown for this sample: Lighthearted HFG-105
Materials:
□ Fabric: (Panels) Two designs 40cm×60cm each
(Gusset) Two designs 30cm×60cm each
(Pocket) 20cm×60cm
(Bias strip) 50cm×50cm
We interviewed Yuki about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This fabric has a charming illustration and a bold, vivid pink color. I wanted to create something that uses these elements extensively. The fabric combined with these also have cute designs.
KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
I used the plastic shopping bag that I had at home as a base for the bag’s design. While you can use only two pieces of fabric to make this, I divided the bag into four parts so that you can incorporate more fabric designs. It requires lots of piping. In order to keep it minimal, the handles on the panel use a curve with matching material. This way, it shows the same fabric when turned inside out. I also used 5mm French seams to hide the seam.
KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
I recommend using a fabric with regular thickness, something not too thin. If you use a thicker material, it will be challenging to finish up the seam.
KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
It fits in its own pocket when folded and fits flat in your purse. As many places are starting to charge for a shopping bag, it will be convenient to keep in your purse for a variety of purposes.
KKF: Thank you very much, Yuki! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!
How to make ECO bag
1.
As shown, prepare and cut the fabrics.
2.
With front/outer sides facing each other, place the fabrics of same design and sew the center.
3.
Cut a slit along the sharp curve. With front/outer sides facing outside, run an edge stitch. (repeat the process for both fabrics)
4.
Sew together the main panel and pieces (gussets) created in Step 3 with 5mm seam allowance.
5.
Sew together the other side of the panel and pieces (gussets) with 5mm seam allowance.
6.
Sew together the handles.
7.
Press down the seam to opposite sides so that the surface will be flat.
8.
Turn it inside out. Pin both sides where pieced together.
9.
Run a topstitch at 5mm.
10.
Fold the bottom and wrap it with a bias binding tape and sew.
11.
Turn it over, wrap the fabric and pin it.
12.
Run a stitch at 2mm.
13.
Make the hanging pocket. Make a loop and sew at 2mm.
14.
As shown, place the loop created in Step 13 at 4cm from the top. Pin both sides.
15.
Sew both sides.
16.
Turn it inside out.
17.
Piece together two bias binding tapes into one.
18.
Place the pocket from Step 16 along the seam. Wrap it with the piping fabric and sew together.
19.
Place the pocket from Step 16 along the seam. Wrap it with the piping fabric and sew together.
20.
Run all the stitches to finish.
How to use this bag
Put the bag into the pocket to make it compact!
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