Eco Bags Tutorials

 These eco bags make great holiday gifts - if you can bear to part with them. Lined and Nylon Eco Bags Sewing Tutorial

The minute we saw the new Echino nylon fabrics, we knew they would make the perfect eco bags.
However, sewing nylon can be intimidating.  The good news?  There  is no need to be afraid anymore!  Check out our nylon sewing tips.  This quick and easy pattern will give you a beautiful, eco-friendly grocery bag that folds up into an elastic pouch. 

Still not sure about the nylon?  No need to worry.
There’s a lined version that is designed to work with your favorite cotton fabrics.  The lined bag is every bit as adorable, and as a hidden bonus: this one’s reversible!  We used a trio of coordinating prints in a mid-weight cotton.

Download PDF Eco Bag Pattern

 Template Cutting Instructions

 For the NYLON eco bag, you will need to create 2 templates.  Trace the handle template along the blue line for your HANDLE LINING.  Trade a second handle pattern piece, but this time you are going to add in the measurement for the body of the bag.  I found it easiest to cut out a square 15 3/4” H by 17” W and tape it to the handle pattern to create the BAG BODY.

For the COTTON LINED eco bag, you will need to create 1 template.  Trace the handle template along the red line for your HANDLE.

Nylon Eco Bag Tutorial

You will need 1.5 yards of nylon fabric to sew 2 eco bags.  1 yard of fabric will make one bag.

Supplies
1 Yard of Fabric
Optional:  5.5” Inches of Elastic (1/8” wide) for pouch
Polyester Thread
Pattern or Tracing Paper and template on pages 7-8
Recommended: Machine Sewing Needle (70/10 Sharp)
Recommended: Teflon Presser Foot

Cutting
1. Prepare the eco bag pattern using the template and instructions.  You should end up with 2 pattern pieces: the handle lining and a second pattern piece that includes the handles and body of the bag.  Cut a front and back piece for each of your pattern pieces. See cutting layout to the right if you are using the Echino fabric shown in the sample.

2. For the optional pocket, cut an additional piece of nylon 8” W X 11” H.     

Steps

1. With right sides together, stitch the front and back pieces together
along the bottom edge using a 1/2” seam allowance.

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Tip:
Sewing with Nylon:
* It is recommended that you spot clean this fabric only.  We do not
recommend putting the nylon in the washing machine or pressing with an iron.
* Use the right needle and presser foot for best results.  We recommend that you use a size 70/10 sharp needle and a te!on presser foot.
* Small holes do show in the nylon, so pin within your seam allowances. Try to avoid using the seam ripper so as not to rip or damage your fabric.
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2. To create a flat-fell seam for added strength, trim one side of the seam to 1/4”.  Wrap and fold the longer seam around the edge.  Finger press towards the back of the bag, and stitch in place.

Flat fell seam Re-cap:
Sew using a 1/2” seam allowance. Press seam to one side and trim the lower seam allowance to 1/4”.
Press under 1/4” of the upper seam allowance to conceal the lower seam.  Stitch.

3. Prepare your handle lining pieces by creating a rolled hem along the bottom edge.  To create the rolled hem:
Fold bottom edge of fabric in by 1/4” and then fold again.  Stitch in place. Repeat on other handle.

4. With right sides together, sew the handle lining to the front of the bag along the dotted lines using a 1/4” seam allowance.  Leave the top of the handles open.

5. Turn the handles right side out and finger press into place.  Top stitch seams using an
1/8” seam allowance.  Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the remaining handle.
If you are making the optional elastic pouch/pocket, complete steps 10-14 now.

6. With right sides facing out (you should be looking at the front of your bag), sew up the sides of the bag using a 1/4” seam. If this step looks wrong to you, that’s ok.  We will be making a French seam in step 8.
 

7. Snip corners, but not too close.  Just take a little of the heft out.

8. Turn bag inside out so that the right sides are facing in.  You are going to create a fold at the bottom of the bag.  Press the bottom seam in by 1 3/4” to create the shape seen in the photo.  Stitch along the sides of the bag again using a 1/2” seam allowance.  You will be enclosing the raw edges of the seams from step 6 and creating a square bottom to your bag all in one quick step.

 9.  Stitch together the handles using instructions for the cotton lined bag on page 10.

Optional: For Elastic Pouch/Pocket

10.  Fold the pocket piece in half and stitch a seam 1/2” from the folded edge.  Sew a second seam 1/4“ down from the top seam to create a channel for your elastic.

11.  Use a bodkin or safety pin to feed a 5.5” piece of  elastic through the channel
and pin in place.  Stay stitch along the sides 1/4” from the edge.

12.  Create a folded hem along the edges of the pocket by folding the fabric in by 1/4” and folding in again.  Stitch.

13.  Create two pleats on the bottom edge of the pocket.  For each of the pleats, take 2” of fabric and fold to form a 1” pleat. As in step 12, create a folded hem. Your pocket is now ready to attach.

14.  Place your pocket as desired and stitch in place securely.  Leave at least 4” clearance from the bottom seam and at least 3” clearance from the edge.

To Fold Your Bag

 Fold up your bag and ip the pocket inside out to create a pouch!

 Lined Eco Bag Tutorial

 Supplies

Fabric for exterior, lining, and handles
Thread
Pattern or Tracing Paper and template on pages 7-8

Cutting

1. Prepare the eco bag pattern using the template and instructions.  Cut out 4 handles using the template.
2. Cut a large rectangle 32 1/2” long x 16” wide out of both your exterior and lining fabrics for the body of the bag.  If your fabric is not  long enough to cut a single piece that long, you can join two pieces 16 3/4” long x 16” wide using step 2 from the nylon version.
3.  With right sides together, attach the bag handle to the short side of the body of the bag using a 1/2” seam allowance.

4.  Repeat step 3 for all four handles. When you are finished you should have two pieces that look like this: an exterior and a lining.
5.  Fold your exterior piece in half with the right sides together and create a “W” shaped fold at the bottom of the bag. The folds should measure 1 3/4”.

6.  Stitch along the sides of your bag using a 1/4” seam allowance.  Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the
lining of your bag, but leave a 3” gap when sewing up the sides.

7.  Place the exterior of your bag inside your bag lining (right sides together).  Stitch around the handles leaving the tops open as in step 4.  Turn your bag right-side out through the gap you left in step 6.  Slip stitch this gap closed.

8.  Fold your handles in towards the bag and stitch together using a 1/2” seam allowance.
Using the instructions for a flat-fell seam found on page 3, trim one side of the handle seam, fold, and stitch in place.  Your bag is complete!