Picture walking through the grocery store, picking out some tasty organic apples. When you go to bag them, you realize your only option is a flimsy plastic bag that can easily tear and isn’t great for the environment or your food. It might surprise you that making your own non-plastic produce bags is quite simple. Believe it or not, setting up my sewing supplies took longer than sewing the bags! All you need are basic sewing skills to complete this easy DIY project.
You can make these reusable bags for almost nothing, especially if you use an old t-shirt and a spare shoelace for the drawstring. This guide will show you how to create your own produce bags to bring on your next shopping trip.
When it comes to fabric, it’s really up to your preference. I’ve tried both organic cotton muslin and a lightweight, stretchy polyester mesh. Even an old t-shirt or any light fabric you have at home can work. Just remember, your bag will be weighed with your produce, so try not to use fabric heavier than needed. Ensure the fabric is washable because you’ll likely want to toss it in with your regular laundry when it gets dirty.
For beginners, organic cotton muslin is probably the easiest to work with. It’s simple to cinch with a drawstring and has the bonus of being organic.
There are several options to close the bag. The simplest is to hem the edge, leaving it open like the plastic bags at the store. You’d need a silicone bag clip to secure it, though. Elastic could also work, especially for larger items like apples and tomatoes. Just measure a piece of elastic that matches the circumference of your bag, add 1/2″ for overlap, and insert it like you would in a waistband.
My favorite closure is a drawstring. I used a 1/8″ cable cord, but a large, round shoelace works too. While the cotton muslin holds the drawstring well, the mesh fabric tended to slip, so I added a cord lock for extra security.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a drawstring produce bag, about 12″ wide by 14″ long, using lightweight cotton muslin (use 1/2″ seam allowances):
1. Lay the fabric in two layers.
2. Cut a 13″ by 16″ rectangle for two pieces.
3. With the two pieces stacked, measure and mark 2.5″ down on a long edge with a pin; this part stays open for the drawstring casing.
4. Starting at the pin, sew three sides of the rectangle, leaving the top and the 2.5″ section open.
5. Iron the top edge, folding 1/2″ to the wrong side.
6. On the side with the open section, press the seam allowance, including the 2.5″ opening.
7. Begin at the top edge, sew down to the bottom of the 2.5″ opening, then pivot and sew across the seam for about 1″, then back up.
8. For the drawstring casing, fold 1″ around the top to the wrong side and press.
9. Stitch along the bottom edge of the 1″ fold to create the casing.
10. Cut the 1/8″ cord long enough to wrap around the bag with extra to knot (about 34″).
11. Tape the cord ends.
12. Use a safety pin to guide the cord through the casing.
13. Knot the ends together.
For smaller produce, like kiwis or ginger roots, a smaller 8″ x 10″ bag works great. Simply cut 9″ x 12″ pieces to start.
Switching to cloth bags is an easy way to cut down on plastic use. Have you ever tried making your own grocery bags? What other changes have you made to reduce plastic in your life?
