Folded Shopping Bag FREE Pattern. Never without a bag when you need one!

folded shopping bag

Here's a fun and practical sewing project –a folded shopping bag– that you can make with Batik fabric.  Frankly, you could do this project with almost any colorful fabric (or even not-so-colorful..) but I love how it looks with beautiful Batik.

I don't know if this is happening in your community, but where I live, stores are beginning to stop providing plastic and even paper shopping bags in favor of reusable bags.  I've bought so many reusable bags but I never seem to have one with me when I need it so I end up buying more and more (which probably isn't too good for the environment either, although the retailers who now charge for these bags seem to like it..)  My solution is this super easy folded shopping bag that will turn into a flat pouch small enough that you can put it in your handbag.  Now I'll never be without a shopping bag when I need one!

The project is simple and should take you about 30 minutes to an hour and the end product is extremely versatile. It will make the perfect gift for a friend on Mother's Day or addition to your Etsy store.  I purchased a small treasure of Batik fabrics on a recent trip and would like to show you a few ways to use Batik as accessories, clothing, and home decoration.  You don't have to use Batik but it is always nice;)

via GIPHY

In a recent article, we talked about the ancient art of Batik Printing Technique,

If you'd like to make this from real Batik fabric, we've found a wonderful supplier in the US that ships through Amazon called Java Batiks.  These are authentic Batik fabrics from Indonesia.  In future tutorials, we'll show you how to make your own Batik, but if you want to start working with the fabric, it may make sense to get a supply now.

Materials

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Visit Craftsy to Download the Pattern

We have made available the FREE template for this project at our account on Payhip.com

You can download it FREE there.

 

Batik Fabric Suggestions from Amazon.com

Folded Shopping Bag Pieces

folded shopping bag

Cut one pouch piece of fabric, one of fusible interfacing, and one of fleece.

Untitled design(45)

Make a rectangle that is 17 1/2″ in width and 36″ in length.  Fold in half lengthwise and mark the middle.

folded shopping bag

Cut two strips of 24″ in length and  2″ wide (this will become the handles).

folded shopping bag

Assembling the Bag Handles

Take your strip of fabric, (24″ by 2″) folded in half, sew at 1/4″, turn inside out, and iron.  You may find it useful to use a loop turner to do this.  Then and sew a stitch in the middle.  Put aside for later.

folded shopping bag

Making the Pouch

Fuse the interfacing to the fabric with the use of an iron.  Then attach the fleece either by sewing or by using spray glue.  Take the zipper and lay it open and upside down on the right side of the fabric.  Align it to the first notch.

folded shopping bag

Pin the zipper to the fabric, use as many pins as you can to shape the zipper around the fabric.

folded shopping bag

Start sewing at the right-hand side notch.  You start sewing 1 cm from the head of the zipper.  This gap is important to be able to flip the zipper around.  Make sure you keep sewing the zipper with your zipper foot around the bag following the edge of the fabric.

Note: please make sure you are sewing at the same distance around the zipper.  Any deviation will distort the zipper and it will not look good when you zip up the bag.  Start sewing the other side at the notch as well.

For a refresher on using zipper feet, please read our tutorial on the subject:

Trim the fabric with the fleece to allow the zipper to curve smoothly.

folded shopping bag

Sew the ends of the zippers.

folded shopping bag

Make sure the zipper ends lay toward the fleece side.

folded shopping bag

Lay the rectangle lengthwise and pin the pouch to the rectangle print side up.  Tuck both ends of the zipper under the pouch.

folded shopping bag

folded shopping bag

Sew the pouch using your zipper foot by topstitching around the pouch make sure you follow the zipper perfectly as to not distort the shape of the pouch.

shopping folded bag

Making the Bag

You can use your serger for this step.  I am using a French seam to close the sides.  Sew on the right side of the fabric on both sides.  For a refresher on how to make French seams, please review this tutorial:

floded shopping bag

Cut half of the seam allowance, turn your bag inside out, and iron.

folded shopping bag

Sew again 3/4″ again and iron the sides once again.

Round up the corners with the use of your zipper foot.  Follow the shape of the pouch.  Make sure you do not catch the zipper.

Attaching the handles

Lay the rectangle horizontally with the handles on either side.

folded shopping bag

Fold again this time 3/4″.

folded shopping bag

Make sure your handles are hanging down fold the handles upward and pin.

folded shopping bag

Sew the handles and the hem all together.

folded shopping bag

folded shopping bag

folded shopping bag

So there you have it, the perfect bag to hide your crime or another purchase from the fabric store…


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Visit Craftsy to Download the Pattern

We have made available the FREE template for this project at our account on Payhip.com

You can download it FREE there.

 

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Nancy A Benedetto
Nancy A Benedetto

This is my first visit and not my last. Love your site. Can I sign up for a news letter? Thank you

So Sew Easy
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Active Member

Hi Nancy and welcome to the site. There should be a signup form in the sidebar of every page. Look for where it says: Subscribe to Our Sunday Email

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[…] has started eliminating plastic bags or you’re reducing more waste from your life, then this folded shopping bag tutorial is the perfect solution. Best of all it’s easily stashed away in your car for your next […]

Bev M.
Bev M.

I thought I asked this, but I don’t see a question from me, so I guess not. What are the dimensions for this bag?

Mary Meins
Mary Meins

Hi! I really want to try this with two fabrics instead of the batik. Also, could you please do a YouTube video for this tutorial? I admit to being a little unsure about some of the steps. Thanks so much!!

Elizabeth Bailey
Elizabeth Bailey

I am having trouble getting the template as well … doesn’t seem to be working .. thanks

Lilly
Lilly

The pattern piece doe not have measuring scale. Do I print it to “actual size” or to “fit”?

Bonnie

You say download free template. But when I try to down load the template the webpage says its closed. So you can’t get the directions or template. There always seem to be a problem with payhip website.

Bev M.
Bev M.

What are the dimensions of the assembled bag?

Bev M.
Bev M.

What are the dimensions of the bag when assembled?

Deedee
Deedee

What is the size of the folded pouch and the open bag, please?

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

I don’t see the template. These look intriguing. Would make quick xmas gifts – for those you just want to remember with a small gift.

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member
Reply to  Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth, there should be an orange box with a like to the template on Payhip. Alternatively, please use this link: https://payhip.com/b/ntrS

Marty C
Marty C

Thank you for this super pattern! I’ve made several and think they’re great fun! After giving some away as gifts and seeing the recipients struggle to fold them neatly, I started sewing the crease along the corners of the bag – it helped. I also added a loop between the handles to help hold the bag open when loading it with groceries, and a removable wrist strap for when I don’t have a big purse to carry it in – but am thinking about making them their very own bag so I can take several into the store with me. You’re very generous with your patterns – thanks again!

Christa
Christa

Hi Mayra, I have made this bag last year. I carry it around in my handbag and it has saved me many times when I ended up buying more or bigger items than I had in mind. Great pattern! Thank you for making my life easier while running arronds. Greetings from Holland

Anna
Anna

Super, easy pattern. Would it be possible for you to make it printable.

Claudia
Claudia

Need video

Tracey Seymour
Tracey Seymour

hi guys from Australia, is there a pattern template for this and or a video? have been wanting to make these for Eva, thank you love you channel.

Janet H
Janet H

Is there a video for this pattern?

Ana Maria
Ana Maria

Muchísimas gracias por compartir este precioso trabajo!. Hace bastante venía buscando algo así.
Ahora a elegir las telas!
Buena Semana y Feliz Costura!!!
Saludos.