On this page, you will find a tutorial on how to sew a shopping bag that fits in your handbag without taking up much space. It is better to choose lining fabric, as it is quite thin and strong. To insert the bag into the cotton triangle at the bottom, tighten the drawstring, and secure with a plastic fastener. It will come in a small cone shape.
Materials
To make a comfortable shopping bag, you will need:
- Lining fabric
- Colored cotton
- Dark blue cotton
- Drawstring cord
- Cord lock stopper
- Sewing thread no. 120
Cutting out pattern pieces
The instructions below provide the measurements for cutting out pattern pieces and the main steps for sewing the shopping bag.
Here are all the pattern pieces and their dimensions. All dimensions are shown with sewing allowances. If not indicated otherwise, use a 2 cm seam allowance for all seams.
The photo below shows the numbered pieces of the pattern. The numbers correspond to the cut-out pieces in the following images. In total, you will cut out three different shapes, and all three parts must be 2 pieces each.
Steps for sewing the shopping bag
When all the pattern pieces are cut out and ready, follow the steps below to sew them together.
Step 1. Cut a bag out of the lining material according to the given dimensions. There should be 2 of them.
Fold one edge of the dark blue ribbon over and sew. Then fold the ribbon in half lengthwise and sew it onto the longest edge of the cotton triangle. The ribbon should be sewn 2 cm from the edge of the triangle, as marked in the picture below with a green mark.
Thread the ends of the string through both dark blue ribbons and attach them to the ends of the ribbons.
Step 2. Cut about a 3-4 cm strip from the lining fabric and edge it around the handle on both sides.
Sew the cotton triangles one at a time to the bottom of both sides of the bag as shown in the green line in the picture. The top of the string cannot be sewn on, it must be loose.
Step 3. The last steps are to sew the sides of the bag from the right side of the bag as shown by the black line. Then trim the edge neatly so that there is 3 mm left before the seam. In the picture, the end of the string marked No. 1 should be free, and the end of the string marked No. 2 should be attached.
Turn the bag inside out and sew the edges of the bag and the handle joint again as shown by the red line in the picture.
All you have to do is thread a plastic lock stopper on the string and make a small knot at the end of the string. Wrap up the bag in a cotton triangle and close the with a plastic lock stopper, put it in your handbag, and go to the store to shop.
Good luck.
