Reversible Reusable Grocery Bag Pattern
Learn how to sew a sturdy, reversible, and spacious reusable tote bag with this easy-to-follow grocery bag pattern. This simple method is the perfect way to design a durable and practical shopping bag!
Shop for groceries in style with this simple and versatile grocery bag pattern! Create your own personalized, reusable shopping bag that’s both sturdy and reliable, perfect for carrying heavy loads with ease. Designed with your needs in mind, this pattern allows you to sew a durable and stylish bag that reflects your unique taste.
Made with vinyl for extra strength, this reusable grocery bag is a fun and rewarding project, even for experienced sewers. While vinyl may seem tricky, sewing it can be simple with a little preparation. If you’re new to vinyl bags, check out this helpful guide on tips for sewing vinyl. It’ll improve your projects and make the process easier and more precise.
This easy grocery bag pattern helps you create a reusable, reversible, and easy-to-clean bag. Made with vinyl, it only needs a quick wipe with a damp sponge and a dry cloth to stay clean. Best of all, your bag will be unique and reflect your style!
How to sew a Grocery Bag Pattern
Materials:
- wrapping paper to make your own pattern
- scotch tape
- vinyl fabric (I got 2 yards but was left with lots of scraps). You can use 2 different types of vinyl for the inside and outside of the bag
- teflon foot
- zipper foot
- leather needle 90/14 or 100/16
- heavy duty thread
- sewing machine
- scissors
- clips
- ruler
- pen
- 3 3/8″cording for handles
- 2 strips of 26″ by 5″ thick fabric (I used scraps from my curtains), cut on bias. You’ll use these for handles
- iron to press the fabric for handles, not the vinyl
Step by step instructions:
Make the pattern
- The pattern for this bag is super simple so I’m not attaching a printable pattern, you can make your own to suit your needs. BUT! If you happen to run into an issue and can’t make your own, please let me know.
- Make you pattern as follows: cut a large rectangle of 33″ by 18″ then 2 small rectangles of 14″ by 5″. Looking at the long sides of the large rectangle, find their middle. Looking at one of the short sides of the small rectangles, find the middle. Match this middle to the middle of the large rectangle on one side and tape together. Repeat for the other small rectangle and the other side of the large rectangle.
Prepare the fabrics
- Cut 2 pieces of vinyl fabric using this pattern.
- Cut the strips of the thick fabric for handles. At this point you might be wondering why can’t you use vinyl. Well, you can but vinyl is not stretchable and doesn’t fold nicely. So when the handles fold, they create lots of creases. Which in time will damage the vinyl, especially since handles get a lot of use.
Sew the bags
- Now that your fabrics are ready, find the other middle of the small rectangles and fold rectangles in half. Use clips to keep in place. Take your fabrics to the sewing machine and top stitch along the middle line and stop 2″ before hitting the bag. Repeat for all small rectangles.
- With fabric wrong side out, clip small rectangles to the bag then sew down with 1/4″ allowance. Do not backstitch!
- If you like to, now you can also box the corners as indicated here. I chose to skip this part since the bottoms are sturdy enough thanks to the double layers of heavy vinyl fabric.
- Repeat for both bags then turn only one of them right side out. Do this as quickly as possible to avoid permanent creasing, pushing corners out with your fingers.
- Measure about 1″ down the top of each bag and fold the top inside (towards the wrong side of the fabric). Clip to keep in place and finger press along the top.
Attach handles
- Make the corded bag handles as indicated here.
- Remove the clips on both bags. Then take the bag with the wrong side out and slide it inside the bag with the right side out. Clip together at the top, making sure the seams and sides are matching perfectly.
- Measure about 4″ from each side of the bag and slide the handles in, between the 2 bags, then clip.
- Take the bag to the sewing machine and sew down along the top with 1/4″ allowance. Sew slow over the bulky seams at the sides.
- And you’re done! Your reusable vinyl tote bag is ready to go shopping with you!
Tips
- If you want to add extra durability to the handles, backstitch over them a couple of times for added strength, especially if you plan to carry heavier items in the tote bag.
- For cleaning your reusable vinyl tote bag, simply wipe it with a damp cloth or use a mild detergent if needed. Avoid machine washing, as this can damage the vinyl material.
- You can customize your tote bag by using different colors of vinyl or adding embellishments like patches, buttons, or even embroidery. Have fun and get creative with your design!
- If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, consider using recycled vinyl for your tote bag. This not only reduces waste but also gives your tote bag a unique and interesting look.
Sewing project variations:
- You can also add pockets to your tote bag for added functionality. These can be either on the inside or outside of the bag and can be used to hold smaller items like keys, phones, or pens.
- Another fun variation is to create a reversible tote bag by using two different fabrics and sewing them together back-to-back. This allows you to have two different looks in one bag.
- For a more personalized touch, you can also add embroidery or applique designs to your tote bag. This is a great way to showcase your creativity and make your tote bag truly unique.
- Experiment with different closure options such as buttons, snaps, zippers, or magnetic clasps to add functionality to your tote bag.
More bag ideas you will love:
- Round top canvas bag
- Rope tote bag
- Rope handle canvas bag
- Color block tote bag
- Towel beach bag tutorial
- One handle shopping bag pattern
Frequently asked questions
What other fabrics work best for a tote bag?
Durable and sturdy fabrics such as canvas, denim, or heavy cotton work well for tote bags. These materials can withstand regular use and are easy to sew. If you’re looking to create a more elegant or lightweight tote, consider using materials like linen or polyester blends.
How do I maintain my tote bag?
Most fabric tote bags can be spot cleaned or hand washed, while some may be machine washable. This tote bag is made with vinyl so it can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
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ABOUT PETRO
Hi, I’m Petro, author and founder of Easy Peasy Creative Ideas. Sewist, crafter, avid DIY-er, foodie, photographer, homemaker and mommy to one. I’m an expert at coming up with quick, clever sewing tips, recycling crafts and simple, easy recipes! You can find my ideas featured in reputable publications such as Country Living, Good House Keeping, Yahoo News, WikiHow, Shutterfly, Parade, Brit & Co and more. Thanks for stopping by and hope you’ll stay for a while, get to know me better and come back another time. Stick around for real fun projects! Read more…