Roll up Shopping Bagby Janellybelly

You will need

1 rectangle of fabric measuring 50cm x 75cm (19½ inches x 29½ inches)1 metre (39 inches) of 2½cm (1 inch) wide herringbone tape

20cm (8 inches) of 6mm (¼ inch) elasticSewing machine

ScissorsThread

Let’s Begin

Fold rectangle in half with wrong sides of fabric together (for French seams).

Pin and sew in a U shape, with a small seam allowance (6mm/ ¼ inch)

Turn bag inside out, then fold down the top of the bag 2½cms (1 inch) – twice, to create a top hem

Pin and sew in a U shape again, this time with a larger seam allowance (1cm/ ½ inch)

Cut herringbone tape in half. Tuck the tape under the top hem, 7½cms (3 inches) from the side seam. Fold elastic in half and tuck under the hem at the centre. Pin handles and elastic in place for

sewing.

Remove the free arm on the sewing machine and sew around the top edge of the bag twice – 5mm from the top edge and 5mm from the bottom edge of the top hem.

Create a base by pinching the bottom and side seams together and making a flat 45 degree corner - sewing across 5cm/2 inches. Do this for both sides of the bag bottom.

After sewing the base, the bag should look like this. Turn right side out and your bag is finished.

To fold up

Fold down handles, fold into thirds then

Roll up from the bottom and secure elastic in place – Now to go shopping…