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Never need a plastic bag ever again with these cute little fold away shopping bags, quick simple and easy to make!

Posted by Alice B. Published See Alice B.'s 7 projects »
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  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 1
    Step 1

    Draw your pattern. The 37cm line is your fold on the fabric line.
    Cut out 2 of your pattern pieces from fabric with a seam allowance (how much is up to you, but I used 1cm)

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    You need to cut out 2 15x15cm triangles (not including seam allowances)

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    You also need to cut out 2 10x24cm rectangles (not including seam allowances)

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 4
    Step 4

    Now you have all your pieces cut out arrange them like so to check you like the colour co-ordinations and order. (I made two bags at the same time, the inverse of each others colours which is why my pictures may change colour for each instruction)

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    Now hem some edges. The curved lines on your main bag pieces and the short edges on the rectangles.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 6
    Step 6

    Like so on the bag.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 7
    Step 7

    Fold on rectangle piece in half lengthways. And sew two lines, 1.5cm away from the raw edge and the folded edge.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 8
    Step 8

    Lay one of your triangle pieces on top of the rectangle strip, with the long edge overlapping the bottom stitched line from the raw edge up.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 9
    Step 9

    turn over and stitch in along your already stitched line from before.
    Repeat steps 7-9 on the other triangle and rectangle piece. remembering to flip the side which has the triangle over the rectangle if you have patterned fabric.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 10
    Step 10

    Pin your finished triangle into the right side of fabric of one of the bottom corners of your main bag piece. (It doesn't matter which so long as both sides line up.) Stitch along three sides of the triangle (The triangle long edge not the rectangle long edge.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 11
    Step 11

    Repeat this for the other triangle/rectangle piece and the main bag piece other side, make sure the corners match up though.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 12
    Step 12

    right sides together stitch the two main bag pieces together one the three straight sides, taking care not to stitch over the channel (rectangle piece over your triangle.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 13
    Step 13

    Turn right sides out. All you need to do now is thread some ribbon or fabric through the channel along the top of the triangle. I used the same coloured fabric as my rectangle folded over but anything would do.

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    Then knot your ribbon ends (I added beads but it isnt neccessary, it's just to make sure you dont lose the ends through the channel)

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 15
    Step 15

    And now your finished! To fold your bag up simply stuff the rest of the main bag into the triangle in the corner, pull your ribbon tight and tie in a bow!

  • How to sew a fold-up tote bag. Fab Little Fold Away Shopping Bag - Step 16
    Step 16

    Et voila! Make them in different colours, fabrics everything! Once youve got the hang of it it will only take you 30-45 mins to knock up the next batch!

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