Free Quilted Reusable Grocery Bag Tutorial

  

DIY Reusable Grocery Bag

I’ll admit it’s a bit much for a bag you’re going sling around in a cart, and into the back of your car.. but I guarantee you’ll be the fanciest shopper at the store this week!

I might even just use it for everything!

Reusable grocery bags are really easy to make and this one is no exception. It’s a grocery bag so it doesn’t need to be super complicated. AND if you want something more sturdy, feel free to sub out the quilted material with canvas or something else thicker.

This is your grocery bag world, so you do you!

To make the Flying Star Block featured in the quilted grocery bag that I made, follow these directions linked here. This block is exactly the size that we need, but you can use any 15.5” quilt block.

Customizing the Reusable Grocery bag

This tutorial is for a 14” finished bag, if you’d like a bigger grocery tote, attach some fabric strips to the outside of the block (or use a bigger block). Make sure to measure your front piece, that will be the same size as the lining fabric, backing and batting. 

Instructions for Making the Bag

Fabric Requirements:

• (1) completed Flying Star Block (or any block!)
• (1) 15.5” x 15.5” Square for Backing
• (2) 15.5” x 15.5” Squares for Lining
• (2) 16” x 16” Squares of batting or iron-on fleece
• (2) 16” pieces of webbing or strong material (for the handles)

Quilted Grocery Bag Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Backing

Lay the 15.5” x 15.5” square for backing on top of (1) square of batting, right side up. You can spray baste or pin before quilting.

Quilt the backing to the batting in any design. Trim the edges so they are even with the fabric.

Put the quilted backing right sides together with (1) lining square. Make sure they are even on all sides. Pin on one edge of the square and sew a straight line with a scant ¼” seam.

Flip the lining over so that the back of the lining square touches the back of the backing square (it would be touching the batting). Sew a straight 1/4”-1/2 ” seam allowance on the top (where you just sewed) to secure the lining.

Repeat with another straight line ¼” away from the first sewn line. The backing piece is now complete and ready to be attached!

Step 2: Quilted Grocery Bag Top

Lay the 15.5” x 15.5” quilt block on top of (1) square of batting, right side up. You can spray baste or pin before quilting.

Quilt the block to the batting in any design. Trim the edges so they are even with the fabric.

Put the quilted block right sides together with (1) lining square. Make sure they are even on all sides. Pin on one edge of the square and sew a straight line with a scant ¼” seam.

Flip the lining over so that the back of the lining square touches the back of the block square (it would be touching the batting). Sew a straight 1/4”-1/2 ” seam allowance on the top (where you just sewed) to secure the lining. Repeat with another straight line ¼” away from the first sewn line. The front is now complete!

Step 3: Bag Assembly

 

Sewing the bag

Lay the front piece and back piece right sides together, pull the lining up so that each lining piece is also right sides together. It will look like a long rectangle.

You can trim the edges to be even and square. Pin around the edge of the entire rectangle leaving a 4-6” hole where you will flip the bag after it’s sewn.

Sew a seam around the exterior edge of the front/back piece and the linings (don’t forget to leave that hole!)

Make sure to back stitch over the beginning stitch and ending stitch.

Create Bottom Corners

To create the bottom corners of your bag, measure and mark a 1.5" square from the seam. Do this for all corners (the two on the lining and the two on the front/back). Cut on the lines to create little square cutouts. 

This can get a little confusing, but pinch the edges of the square open and then together, the opposite edges will be matched up. 

Sew a straight line across that edge as shown in the pictures on all four corners. 

Flip your bag (the most exciting part!) so that you pull the front/backing out of the hole and the lining should sit nicely in the bag. Fold the edges of the lining hole under ¼” and hem it closed.

Attach your straps

Fold one end of the webbing under 2-3” and sew a square (about 1/8” from the edges) over the folded area, this will be about 2-3” from the top of the bag.

Make sure the front/back/linings are smooth before sewing. Repeat with the opposite side of the handle. Repeat with the backing. There should be a handle sewn onto the front and the back.

I recycled some straps from a broken bag for mine but webbing will work just the same!

Fold one end of the webbing under 2-3” and sew a square (about 1/8” from the edges) over the folded area, this will be about 2-3” from the top of the bag. Make sure the front/back/linings are smooth before sewing.

Repeat with the opposite side of the handle. Repeat with the backing. There should be a handle sewn onto the front and the back.

Your beautiful quilted reusable grocery bag is done! Honestly, I thought mine was too pretty to go grocery shopping with, BUT I had it with me on my last trip and it was so useful to put heavier items into (all the cans!) so I’m sold, it’s now my favorite!

Stay tuned for an insulated quilted grocery bag!