My Eco Bag!

There was one Wednesday  I went to SM to do some grocery shopping, when I was at the counter paying for the items I bought, the cashier told me that I will be charged P3.00 for each plastic bag that will be used for my items or buy their not-so-durable eco bag for P35.00 .

There was also a time I went to South Supermarket to buy grocery stuffs. I didn't realize that they are not using plastic bags, I was surprised that I have to carry my items with a big brown used box which I need to transport with 2 jeepney rides and a 3-minute walk home.

I'm not complaining about their policy. In fact, I actually love the idea of a "plastic-less environment". It's just that I keep forgetting to bring those SM eco bags we have at home.

So I decided to make one for me, a fashionable floral eco bag I could put in my bag easily.

Here's how I made it:

First, I got myself the ff:

#1 canvas fabric 17"x21" with 3/4" LR, 1/2" Top only seam allowance since I have it marked on the folded edge of the fabric

#2  floral fabric 10"x21" with 3/4" LR, 1/2" TB seam allowance

#3 canvas fabric for the handle 35"x2" with 1/4" LR, 1/2" TB seam allowance

#4 floral fabric for the handle 35"x2" with 1/4" LR, 1/2" TB seam allowance

#5 floral fabric for the top facing 1"x21" with 3/4" LR, 1/2"TB seam allowance 

*remember that these measurements are marked into a folded fabric, so when you spread the fabric theese measurements will be doubled.

Now you have to sew the pieces together, starting with the handles (#3 and #4).

 I would recommend pressing the edges using an iron for easy pinning and sewing. For #3and #4, I pressed it after sewing and reversing it. Press only the other side of #5. I added #6 for the bag's closing later, the size is 8"x2" which you will be folding lengthwise with 1/4" LR and 1/2" TB seam allowance. once you sew the side and the top, reverse the fabric and press it. 

Sew the bottom of #2 then press it and so are the edges. Spread out fabric #1 and place #2 on the middle using pins. Do not sew the pieces yet. 

Attach the facing on the top of  fabric #1 then place #6 on the middle so that it could be stitched through with the facing together. Sew on the side of the facing that is not pressed, the pressed side will be sewn later on.

Now fold back into two fabric #1 and sew the edges together about 1/4" (this is for making a durable edge stitch without using a separate edging machine). Make sure to fold or press the facing with the right surface in front of you as you sew the edges. 

Pin the handles, 

Then start sewing the edge of fabric #2

Sew the edge of the handles to attach it to fabric #1, 

Now reverse the fabric to the opposite side and start sewing the edges of fabric#1 along with the edges LR of the facing (#5). Then fold fabric #5 and sew TB about 1/8" so it will be attached to fabric #1.

Make a 3"x3" marking on the lower LR of fabric#1 front and back, Fold together, like what you see on the 3rd figure. Sew on the markings then reverse the fabric back to the right surface.

Done!

Fold and roll, then put it in your bag when you go shopping!

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