Reusable Shopping Bag (with Storage Pocket)

By PaisleyJade - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

I'm loving the fact that more and more shops are choosing to get rid of single use plastic bags. I'm also loving making a personal effort to cut down on using plastic myself.

I recently made a fabric shopping bag with a small internal pocket that can be used to hold your phone, keys or wallet while you shop, but that also is a little pocket to fold the bag into when you aren't using it.

Since then, a few people have asked for a tutorial. Now let's be frank... I am the most casual (aka lazy) person that I know when it comes to sewing, so below is a mega simple step by step guide to making your own reusable shopping bag with pocket.

Please note: I apologise for not ironing as I go... because it's going to be continually crinkled due to being stored in a pocket when not in use, I didn't feel the need to bring out the iron!

Step 1

Cut out two pieces of rectangular shaped fabric and pin together with insides facing out. This will be for your main bag, so cut size to suit what size bag you'd like, leaving extra fabric to allow for seams.

Sew fabric together on 3 of the 4 sides, leaving the opening at the top. Once you've stitched those together, you can zig zag the edges for extra stength. I like to use the zig zag stitch on the edge of the seams to keep from fraying.

Step 2

Cut two long matching strips of fabric for your bag handles. Sew these lengthways (with inside fabric facing out), then turn inside out and sew again on both sides to make edges neat.

Step 3

Cut out a smaller rectangle shape to use as the internal pocket.

Sew a little edge on one of the shorter sides, then pin leaving a portion of the fabric overlapping (as seen in photo below), and sew down outer sides to form a pocket.