7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

1/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 1

Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

Have you been using a little paper shopping bag to carry your lunch? Would you likesomething sturdier? If your answer is yes, then this tutorial is for you! This tutorial is also for

anyone who wants a crafty, reusable gift bag, or just wants to see eyelets in action.

The bag pictured above is made using a home dcor weight fabric. Some other fabrics thatwould work for this project are:

Linen Oilcloth Quilters Cotton

http://www.ohfransson.com/

7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

2/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 2

Materials

This project can be made in, pretty much, any size youd like. Ive provided dimensions for three sizes here:

Height Width Depth Panel Size

Small 5 7 4 10 x 22

Medium 6.5 8.5 4.5 12 x 26

Large 8 10 5 14 x 30

Once you determine which size youre going to make, cut your exterior fabric and lining to the appropriate panelsize as shown above. I recommend using a lighter (no heavier than quilters cotton) weight fabric for the lining.Interface this panel with a lightweight fusible. If youre making the exterior of your bag out of quilters cotton, Irecommend interfacing that panel too.

If youre using linen or cotton, cut an interlining panel from a mid-weight sew-in interfacing. I used Pellon 40. Ifyoure using oilcloth, vinyl or any heavy material that can stand on its own, skip the interlining.

You will also need the following materials and tools:

1 yard Cording or Twill Tape for handles. Choose something that, when tied in a knot, will not slipthrough the eyelets.

4 Large Eyelets. If you dont already have eyelet setting tools, be sure you buy the package calledEyelet Kit. This package includes the setting tools.

Hammer (for setting eyelets)

Quilters Ruler (for measuring gussets)

Heavyweight/Denim Needle (because there are lots of layers to sew through)

Note: If youre using oilcloth, youll also want a Teflon presser foot. If you dont have a Teflon foot, cut somestrips of tissue paper and place them between your project and your presser foot while you sew. This willkeep the oilcloth from sticking to your presser foot and can be easily torn away when you re finished sewing.

http://www.ohfransson.com/

7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

3/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 3

Lets get started . . .

Prepare exterior panel. Place your exterior panel right side up ontop of your interlining panel. Fold the whole thing in half, matchingthe two short sides. Using a 1/2 seam, stitch both long sides

closed. Clip corners as shown, and press seams open.

If using oilcloth, finger press the seams open. Dont use an iron onthe oilcloth.

Make gussets. Open up one corner to a point, as shown. Using yourquilting ruler, mark a line 2 (small), 2.25 (medium) or 2.5 (large) from

the point. The line should measure 4

(small), 4.5

(medium) or 5

(large)across. Stitch along this marked line and clip off corner 1/2 from seam.

Repeat on other side. Repeat all steps with lining panel, using a 5/8seam allowance when sewing the side seams.

http://www.ohfransson.com/

7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

4/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 4

Join Exterior and Lining Panels. Place the exterior and liningwith bottoms together, as shown. Using a zig-zag stitch, stitchthe seam allowances together on both sides.

Turn the whole thing right-side-out. Use a zig-zag stitch tosecure all layers together along the top edge, as shown at left.Trim, if necessary, to make all layers even.

Hem top of bag. Fold the top of the bag towardthe inside 1/4" and press. Fold toward theinside again, this time 1, and press.

Pin the hem youve created, then stitch inplace.

http://www.ohfransson.com/

7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

5/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 5

Add eyelets. Mark the placement of your eyelets and use sharp scissorsto cut holes the exact size of the center of the eyelets. Remember the oldadage you can always cut more, but you cant cut less and err on theside of caution when cutting these holes.

Youll notice that there are two pieces to each eyelet. The piece on the left

in the above picture (the taller one) will go on the outside of the bag.Place one of these through the outside, as shown at left. Turn the bagover, so the eyelet is now on the table top, but sticking through to theinside as shown in the lower left corner. Fit the second (shorter) piece ontop, as shown below at center and, using the setting tools provided and ahammer, set the eyelet into your bag. Repeat this with the other threeeyelets.

http://www.ohfransson.com/

7/29/2019 Little Shopping Bag Tutorial

6/6

2008 by Elizabeth Green / www.ohfransson.comPage 6

Now that your eyelets are all set, add handles. Cut your yard of cord or tape in half and feed one end throughone of the eyelets, from outside to inside. Tie the end in a knot, so that it cannot slip back out to the front. Feedthe other end of the handle through the other eyelet on the same side of the bag, again outside to inside. Adjustthe handle to desired length and secure by tying a knot in the end and trimming away any excess. Repeat withthe other handle, making sure that handles are the same length.

. . . and youre done!

2008 by Elizabeth GreenNot intended for commercial use. / Please do not distribute without my permission.

http://www.ohfransson.com/