50+ Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns

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Sure you can buy some trendy brand name shopping bags, but why not make your own for cheap (and even free!), they can be as chic and cool as you like (and original too)! Here’s a bunch of free patterns and tutorials to get you started, I have them sorted in three sections: Sewing, Knit, Crochet. Some patterns are pretty similar but there are subtle differences and features in each.

Sewing

earthgirlfabrics.com.au

earthgirlfabrics.com.au

Quick Carrier: Design features short handles that don’t require turning and french seams, quick pattern to whip up. Free pdf pattern download.

Reusable Market Tote Tutorial: Sturdy bag designed to last yet look stylish while using. Made with quilting weight cotton or home decor weight fabric.

bijoulovelydesigns.com

bijoulovelydesigns.com

marthastewart.com

marthastewart.com

T-Shirt Grocery Bag: Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be “green.” It’s a Good Thing that will help protect the environment.

Simple: Offers a downloadable pattern in pdf or word doc format (also an animated web tutorial). Simple tote style, easy to make.

morsbags.com

morsbags.com

daisyjanie.typepad.com

daisyjanie.typepad.com

Fabric Produce Bags: Requires one fat quarter or one 18” square. Super easy to make. Either cinch-n-carry or fold ‘n roll for convenience. Free pdf pattern download.

Oilcloth Tote: Made with 3 panels of sturdy oilcloth and features a circular bottom.

purlbee.squarespace.com

purlbee.squarespace.com

spiderwomanknits.typepad.com

spiderwomanknits.typepad.com

Made With A Pillowcase: This tutorial will show you how to turn one standard case into a very functional tote for shopping using every bit of the case, minimal sewing, minimal cutting and very little of your time.

Make Your Own Grocery Bags: Nice and big, use a substantial fabric for this project such as canvas, heavy cotton duck or an outdoor fabric.

sew4home.com

sew4home.com

wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com

wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com

Cheap & Easy Fabric Produce Bags: A great alternative to the clear plastic bags available in the fruits & veggies aisles, these are made from repurposed sheer curtains (watch for them at garage sales), drawstring closure. Wash & reuse, lovely!

Pillowcase Tote: Here’s a simple grocery tote made from an old pillowcase, including the handles.

creativekismet.com

creativekismet.com

sewing.about.com

sewing.about.com

Durable, Reusable: This tutorial suggests using canvas or denim but you can use whatever fabric you prefer. Boxed bottom with webbing or fabric strips for straps.

Make a Reusable Grocery Bag: Simple reversible tote with boxed bottom, the handles are actually cut out (and reinforced) from the top of the bag.

unabashed.wordpress.com

unabashed.wordpress.com

instructables.com

instructables.com

“Green” Bags: Another simple fabric bag, this one has the handles cut out with the pattern rather than sewing on straps separately. Another good one for beginners to make.

Made From A Bird Seed Bag: Here’s an original idea, make a grocery tote out of big feed bags. If you have any woven plastic bags on hand that you’re wondering what to do with–here ya go!

curbly.com

curbly.com

pieandcoffee.org

pieandcoffee.org

Canvas: Cotton canvas shopping bag tutorial. Very simple design and sturdy!

Wallet-Sized Fold-Up: This bag folds into a wallet size that fits perfectly in your purse so you’ll always have one at your fingertips when needed. The bag is more detailed than most, but how nice it is!

whipup.net

whipup.net

u-handbag.typepad.com

u-handbag.typepad.com

With Comfy Handles: Here’s a pretty bag with its own bag cozy featuring a strap and metal clip. A bag within a bag–very cute!

Simple Fabric Tote: A simple fabric tote with attached straps, tutorial found on the Craftster forum.

craftster.org

craftster.org

instructables.com

instructables.com

SewUseful San Fransisco Shopper: Roomy fabric tote with shoulder straps, folds down nicely to fit into a pocket or purse.

Singlet Style: A Crafster forum tutorial, this fabric bag uses a regular plastic grocery bag as the template.

craftster.org

craftster.org

instructables.com

instructables.com

TOTE-ally Easy Way To Help The Earth: This fabric tote has straps that run from the bottom of the bag up (to reinforce), fully lined. Very sturdy construction, perfect for hauling canned goods.

Scrappy Produce Bag

etownhooks.blogspot.com

etownhooks.blogspot.com

pmbetweenthelines.blogspot.com

pmbetweenthelines.blogspot.com

Made From A T-Shirt: They have holes snipped in them so that they stretch really well (and the produce can breathe nicely too).

Insulated: Nice sturdy tote lined with insulating batting.

sew4home.com

sew4home.com

dana-made-it.com

dana-made-it.com

Recycled: Fuse plastic grocery bags together and then make the bags out of the fused plastic (neat bags!).

Fold-Away: This folds away neatly into a small pouch when not in use.

craftyady.blogspot.com

craftyady.blogspot.com

craftstylish.com

craftstylish.com

Mesh: Made with 1/2 yard of mesh fabric (yields 3 or 4 bags) and yarn for drawstring.

Cheap & Easy: Made with repurposed flat sheets and webbing for handles.

wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com

wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com

ikatbag.com

ikatbag.com

Strawberry: Here’s how to make little fat strawberries with cord stops that open out into a spare grocery bag.

Roll-Up: Made with a single layer of quilting weight cotton (unlined) to keep it lightweight and small enough to roll up easily.

needleandspatula.com

needleandspatula.com

sawdustandpaperscraps.com

sawdustandpaperscraps.com

Ruffled: Pretty, feminine bags made with old cotton sheets and pillowcases.

Boxed: Here’s a neat bag that holds a cardboard box inside (to protect eggs, bread, etc.).

asquaredw.com

asquaredw.com

examiner.com

examiner.com

Oilcloth: Made with polyester or nylon strapping, 47″ wide oilcloth and double-fold bias tape.

I also have a big list of tote bag patterns, many are suitable for shopping bags and you’ll find those here.

Knit

knitty.com

knitty.com

BYOB: The bags have a wide shaped base and the lower striped Seed Stitch section ensures that small items will not drop out.

Strawberry Market (pdf): It’s knit in a fingering weight cotton, which I love because it’s soft, yet strong. Linen or hemp could easily be substituted.

orangejuicy.com

orangejuicy.com

iliveonafarm.com

iliveonafarm.com

A Knitted Grocery Bag: Easy adaptable pattern, mesh style (love the handles!). Pattern uses circular knitting needles.

Monteagle (pdf): This sturdy bag collapses into a tiny puddle, making it simple to take to the grocery store. So much more convenient than a big, canvas bag. And the knitting makes for the best kind of puzzle: crazy stitch patterns that work up fast.

randomhouse.com

randomhouse.com

knitty.com

knitty.com

Knitty’s Everlasting Bagstopper: Here’s a knit pattern using a mesh stitch but has a solid base for items to sit on). Nice, big & stretchy!

Turkish Stitch: Here’s a knit pattern for the mesh/string style of shopping bags with a shoulder strap. Pattern calls for a circular needle.

tiajudy.com

tiajudy.com

dancingbarefoot.wordpress.com

dancingbarefoot.wordpress.com

Susitna: This is another string shopping bag, knit pattern done on a knitting machine (not many of these patterns available!). Nice original design and pattern is available via a pdf download.

Mesh or Net: A knit pattern for a mesh or net shopping bag, starts with double pointed needles then switches to circular. Nice length for the shoulder strap.

yarndemon.typepad.com

yarndemon.typepad.com

classiceliteyarns.com

classiceliteyarns.com

Handknit: Very nice knit bag using a lace pattern, great length for shoulder straps. This pattern is one of my favorites! Available in a pdf download.

Knit Project: Project uses worsted weight yarn and measures approx 24″ wide x 20″ long, excluding handle. Website is no longer available, this is found on the web archive.

web.archive.org

web.archive.org

web.archive.org

web.archive.org

In Two Sizes: Sizes: Small Bag: 11 1/2″ x 14″; Large Bag: 13 1/2″ x 14″, pattern uses worsted-weight yarn. Website is no longer available, pattern found on the web archive.

Fantasy Naturale: Knit bag pattern, size: Approx. 16” high X 12” diameter. Base uses straight needles, body of bag uses circular.

plymouthyarn.com

plymouthyarn.com

Crocheted Bags

theadventuresofcassie.blogspot.com

theadventuresofcassie.blogspot.com

Reusable Crocheted: This bag is crocheted in the round from the top down. It might be helpful to use a paperclip or a stitch marker to define the start of the round.

Doily Bag: A doily pattern is used for the bottom then a mesh-style pattern is used for the body, handles can be made as long as you like. Free pdf download.

elisabethandree.posterous.com

elisabethandree.posterous.com

nancyscrochet.com

nancyscrochet.com

Tote (pdf): This bag works up quickly and stretches upwards to hold a large amount of items. Make yourself several and carry in your car for shopping trips and help the environment.

Vintage Pattern (pdf): Here’s a pattern previously published on Tipnut and moved here for better organization, it’s the old style string bags that last forever and hold more than you can imagine.

tipnut.com

tipnut.com

crochetme.com

crochetme.com

Reduction Tote: A crochet pattern in a mesh style with a solid bottom and straps. The bag also features a pocket on the front (great for holding keys and a wallet).

Hobo Style: This bag is done in a mesh crochet and has long shoulder straps. Instructions are basic, but you should be able to work your way through this if you’re at an intermediate level for crochet.

crochetgypsy.blogspot.com

crochetgypsy.blogspot.com

diyods.blogspot.com

diyods.blogspot.com

Produce Bag Pattern: This design is reminiscent of the vintage “string” type bags yet made with worsted weight yarn.

Summer String Bag: Finished size measures 14″ deep & 24″ circumference (12″ wide at top, 13 1/2″ wide at base). Free pdf pattern download available.

classiceliteyarns.com

classiceliteyarns.com

You can save a bunch of money by recycling fabric from old sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths and even old pairs of jeans (just sew strips of denim together and away you go) to make the bags.

Furoshiki is another option to replace bags, this is a neat technique from Japan.

Published: April 12, 2008
Updated: November 26, 2011

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13 Comments to “50+ Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns”
  1. casey says:

    i just wanted to let everyone know how wonderful the pattern for the singlet style bag is (#16). even for a beginner seamstress like me, they are fun and relatively easy to make. they hold tons (ex. 1 gallon milk, 2 64 oz. cans of juice, and numerous soup cans, in one bag!) they are lined, washable, compact (they can be folded into themselves), and cheap to make. i make mine out of old pillowcases and sheets from thrift stores.

  2. Sandy says:

    Where is this free pattern.
    I am ready to sew this beautiful bag.
    Thank you

    Sandy

  3. TipNut says:

    Sandy just click the link for the pattern you’d like to visit, you’ll see the pattern or tutorial on that page.

  4. Susan says:

    I buy tank tops from thrift stores at the end of summer for 29-50 cents each and just turn wrongside out sew a seam or two across the bottom and remove the tag if I’m feeling ambitious. These make great bags. They hold a lot and stretch which can be good depending on what you are carrying. Just get tank tops with big neck holes!

  5. Lynette says:

    Thanks you for such a great list of wonderful links. Have added to our tips, as I know that our ecobiters are so intune with making bags and will love this. If not ok to have your link posted, please let me know.

  6. carol britain says:

    am trying to find crochet patterns for using plastic grocery bags instead of material or yarn. i have seen them on the market but can’t find a pattern for making things using the plastic bags. any help would be very appreciated. thx carol

    • Shannon says:

      all you do is substitute the bags for the yarn – i’ve done this with knitting (not much luck; crochet would be the best option for a project like this) .. just cut the handles off the plastic bags and then proceed to cut the bag in a 1 inch (or whatever thickness you prefer) spiral the whole way down .. repeat with other bags and tie the ‘yarn’ together at all the ends and voila! you have a whole bunch of plastic bag ‘yarn’ for your crochet-ing pleasure =)

  7. Lola says:

    My Mama has made school bags for church world service for many years. When I came home to take care of her after a fall the job of making the bags fell on me.

    I had been cleaning out the basement of the bags of clothes my sister had left 10 or more years back, I washed and folded and sent them on to the church rummage sale. when they arrived the ladies went thru them and said; who would want these old cotton camp shirts that you have to press. Then tossed them to the side. At the end of the sale I gathered them up and returned home with them and a new idea.

    First I cut the front with the buttons off and the collar and sleeves, then sewed the front with the pockets together and cut the rest in a square large enough for a notebook. Then I took the strips with the buttons and sewed them to the top and used them for the handles. What a great little school bag full of color and whimsy~ great for kids everywhere.

    I also took the sleeves and sewed them together and cut off the cuffs and put the cuffs together and laced them through the placket and made a handle and use them to carry socks and swimwear when I travel. The narrow opening keeps everything inside.

    Now those same ladies are asking me for their own totes;~}

  8. Gail says:

    Susan, thanks for that wonderful idea about turning tank tops into shopping bags. Now I know what to do with those old tank tops I’m not wearing anymore, but aren’t in good enough condition to donate.

  9. Kim says:

    I love the idea of making your own grocery bags. This is such a great source, I want to make them all! Are there are any tutorials for fused plastic grocery bags? I think it would be neat to be able to reuse the plastic bags that have accumulated over the years.

  10. G.H. says:

    Had a few pairs of old jeans & my family put in a few pairs too – The bags not only saved plastic and these old jeans from being thrown out, they’re also really cute :) – I tacked the back pockets on to hold small items. I can wash them whenever I need to & they hold up really well!

  11. JMV says:

    If you’re not the crafty or sewing type, there’s an easy alternative to plastic produce bags. Simply go to a dollar store that carries net lingerie bags, you know, the ones you wash your bras and delicates in that come with zippers. They are usually white and can hold your produce purchases again and again (without complaint from a grocery checker).

    Stuff them in with your reusable shopping bags so you have them on hand when you need them. I keep everything in my trunk at all times, as many of my grocery trips are spontaneous or because I often fail to remember to stick them in my car before I head out to the store. Our city’s upcoming plastic bag ban will help jog my memory, to be sure! Kudos to you for your conservation efforts.

  12. renee says:

    After reading about the mesh bags, it dawned on me that I didn’t have any mesh on hand but did have some scraps of lace fabric (polyester) that I made curtains out of 30 years ago. Most elegant produce bags you’ve ever seen!


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