Make Your Own Bulk Food Bags
Depending on the supplies you use, these reusable bulk food bags can be made for next to nothing. You can repurpose a worn or outdated t-shirt and a spare shoelace as a drawstring for a virtually free bag. No matter what supplies you use, this easy tutorial will show you how to make you own bulk food bags to take along on your next shopping trip. Not only are grocery store plastic bulk food bags thin and easily torn, they expose your food to the dangers of plastic and have a negative impact on the environment.
Making the switch to cloth bulk food bags is an easy way to reduce plastic use in your daily life. Read my previous post on reusable produce bags and reusable grocery tote for more tips on reducing your use of plastic. There are many non-plastic options for bulk food bags but they are also incredibly easy to make yourself. In fact, I spent more time setting up my sewing supplies than I did actually sewing. Only very basic sewing skills are required for this super easy DIY project.
How To Make
Fabric
This is a matter of preference. I have used organic cotton (woven) muslin. As I mentioned above, an old t-shirt or any other lightweight fabric you have on hand will work well. Remember that your bag will be weighed along with your bulk food so you don’t want to add more weight than is necessary.
I did make sure that the fabric was washable before I chose one. I want to be able to toss these in with my regular laundry. The organic cotton muslin was easy to work with and cinched very well with the drawstring, so this is what I would recommend for a beginner. Plus you have the added benefit of using organic fabric.
Bag Closure Options
There are several ways you could finish the top of your bulk food bags:
- The absolute easiest way would be to just finish the edge with a simple hem. This technique would leave the top of your bag open similar to the plastic bags provided at the store. The drawback would be that your bulk food might spill out of the bag. However, you could use a silicone bag clip to fasten it, keeping everything safely inside.
- Another simple solution is to use elastic. I would not recommend this because it involves the use of plastic elastic and if you buy a lot of bulk nuts or other small items, it’s more of an inconvenience. But it works great for larger things like apples, tomatoes, and avocados. Just measure a piece of 1/4″ wide elastic (measure with the elastic fully stretched) the same length as the circumference of your bag plus 1/2″ for overlap. Then insert it into a casing the same way you would for an elastic waistband.
- The closure type I most prefer is a drawstring. I purchased a 1/8″ cable cord and also later realized that a large round shoelace would work well. The cotton muslin stayed closed quite well but still I put a cord lock on the bag for added security.
DIY Cotton Bags
Materials
- Sewing machine
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- Quilting or cutting mat
- Measuring tape or quilting ruler (if using a rotary cutter)
- Matching thread
- Safety pin (for inserting drawstring)
- iron for pressing hems and seams (optional)
- Straight pins
Step 1 Prepare Fabric
This tutorial will show you how to make a drawstring produce bag that is roughly 12″ wide by 14″ long using a lightweight organic cotton muslin. Use 1/2″ seam allowances unless otherwise stated.
- Lay your fabric out so that it is 2 layers thick.
- Cut a 13″ by 16″ rectangle (this will give you 2 pieces).
Step 2 Sew Panels Together
- With the 2 pieces together, measure down 2.5″ on one of the long ends. Mark this spot with a straight pin. You will leave these 2.5″ open to leave room to make the drawstring casing.
- Starting at the straight pin you placed in step 2, sew a seam around the rectangle on 3 sides, leaving the last side (top of bag) and the 2.5″ on the side open.
- Along the top edge, fold over 1/2″ to the wrong side and press with your iron.
- On the side with the open section, press open the seam allowance including the 2.5″ opening.
Step 3 Finish the Seams
- Starting at the top edge, stitch down to the bottom of the 2.5″ opening. Stop, pivot, and sew across the side seam about 1″. Stop, pivot, and sew back up the other side, ending at the top edge.
Step 4 Make the Casing
- To make the casing for the drawstring, fold over 1″ around the top edge to the wrong side and press.
- Stitch all the way around just inside the bottom of the 1″ fold forming a casing for your drawstring.
Step 5 Add Drawstring & Toggle
- Cut the 1/8″ cable cord long enough to go all the way around the bag through the casing and have enough to tie a knot. I cut mine about 34″.
- Wrap a piece of tape around each end.
- Put the safety pin through one taped end of your cord and use it to feed the cord through the casing.
- Put both ends together and tie an overhand knot.
I also made a smaller size that would be handy for buying things like kiwi, ginger root, or 3-4 average sized apples. The finished size of the smaller bag was 8″ x 10″ so I cut the initial pieces 9″ x 12″.
You can really make any size you like. Just take the finished dimensions you want and add 2″ to the long side of the bag (so you have plenty of room to make the casing for the drawstring) and 1″ to the width.
Feel free to leave any questions about this tutorial below. And if you do end up making your own reusable bulk food bags, I’d love to see it. Take a pic, post it to your social media, and tag me.
Source and photo credit:
Katie Wells of Wellness Mama
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