With horror, I realised that it has been a couple of years since I promised to share the easy-peasy sewing pattern for making your own reusable produce bag.
I have shared plenty of other sewing projects since then though, right?!?
I mean, it’s not like environmental issues aren’t in the media every single day. And my own children regularly point out and pick apart our family’s purchasing and consuming habits. And I have written about simple ways to reduce plastic in your own household. And we do already own several of these net fruit and vegetable bags.
It’s just that I forgot to show you how YOU can make your own too! *hangs head in shame*
These lightweight, fabric bags are perfect for your next outing to the grocery store or farmers’ market to carry home all matter of vitamin-packed fruit and veggies.
They are a perfect sewing project for anyone- yes, even sewing newbies- and can be completed in such a short time. There are a few patterns out there in internet-land, but this one is seriously MEGA easy!
In this post I’ll not only walk you through how to sew these practical bags (in 2 variations and sizes, no less!) but also give you tips on which fabrics to use.
Let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
What is the best fabric to use for homemade produce bags?
Replacing those lightweight, throwaway plastic produce bags from the supermarket with your own homemade bags is such a simple, yet fantastic, step towards reducing waste and the impact of plastic on our environment.
Of course, when choosing a fabric as the alternative to those plastic bags, it’s Important to keep in mind WHICH fabric to choose. Not all fabrics are created equal!
Because your produce and the bag will be weighed at the checkout, you’re looking for a light-weight fabric.
Also, because the cashier needs to SEE your produce (Are those apples or pears? Red onions or beetroots?) a sheer fabric is ideal to help everyone admire your excellent choice of produce 😉.
Fabrics such as tulle, mesh, or even recycled (and cleaned) sheer curtains will work well.
These fabrics are all easily washable too, which means you can use them over and over again.
What you need to make a DIY fruit and vegetable mesh bag
Fabric (I used tulle)
Cord or ribbon
Safety pin
The usual sewing suspects: thread, sewing machine, fabric scissors/rotary cutter, ruler/tape measure, clips/pins
How to sew an easy zero-waste produce bag
Step 1
Decide which size bag you would like to make.
Either a LARGE bag which, when finished, will measure approximately 32 x 38 cm or a MEDIUM bag which will measure approximately 25 x 28 cm.
The sewing steps remain exactly the same, regardless of which size you choose!
Step 2
This pattern already contains seam allowances! No need to add on any extra measurements!
For a LARGE produce bag, you’ll need one piece of fabric 34 x 80 cm.
For the MEDIUM bag, you’ll need one piece of fabric 27 x 60 cm.
Measure and cut the fabric for your preferred bag size.
Step 3
Fold the fabric in half (e.g., for the large bag, you will now have a folded rectangle piece of fabric 34 x 40 cm 😉).
Clip or pin together the fabric layers along the 2 long edges. Leave the unfolded short edge open.
Step 4
Using a 1 cm seam allowance, straight stitch down each of the pinned sides.
Optional: use an overlocker to trim and tidy those raw edges.
Don’t turn the bag right sides out just yet!
Step 5
Fold the open top edge of the fabric all the way around 2cm to form the casing tunnel for the cord and pin or clip in place. Be sure that the fabric is folded towards what will shortly be the inside of the produce bag.
Mark one 2 cm gap on this folded fabric close to each side seam.
Step 6
Edge stitch along this fold around the top of the bag to form the casing tunnel.
Watch out that you don’t sew the top of the bag completely closed or sew those 2 cm gaps shut!
Step 7
Now it’s time to prep the cord. But first it’s decision time again!
Do you want just one cord threaded through the top of your fruit and veggie bag or two?
Using one length of cord means that there the bag can be pulled shut from one side whereas using two pieces of cord you can pull the bag closed from both sides.
To determine the length of cord you need, measure the width of your bag from side seam to opposite side seam, add 10 cm, and then multiply by 2. (uh-oh, maths!).
For example, the large bag is 32 cm across. So 32 cm + 10 cm = 42 cm. Multiply 42 cm x 2 = 84 cm. Voila!
If you choose to one cord, then you only need one piece of your calculated length.
If you want two cords in the top of you produce bag, you need to cut two pieces the same length.
Step 8
Here’s where the safety pin comes in handy!
Near one end of the cord, pin the safety pin. It’ll help you not lose the cord halfway through this step 😉.
Insert the safety pin into one of those 2 cm gaps from Step 6. Gripping onto the safety pin, slide the cord through the casing tunnel around the entire top of the bag and bag out the same hole.
Remove the safety pin. Match the ends of the cord and tie together into a knot.
If you are using 2 cords, repeat this step with the 2nd piece of cord but use the other 2 cm gap on the opposite side of the bag. You will then have knotted cord on each side of the bag.
Step 9
Turn the bag right sides out and you’re done!
Now it’s time to go grocery shopping. Or go make another reusable bag. And another. And another…
When it comes to sewing bags, there is hardly an easier DIY project that this one! Am I right?!?
I have one last tip for you so that you can make more reusable fruit and veg bags to suit your family: the steps to follow are exactly the same, no matter what bag size you choose to sew in the future. Plan what size bag you want to sew. Add on a seam allowance on the sides. Use that maths formula to determine how much cord you need. And that’s it! The sky’s the limit!
For me, sewing is all about being creative and flexible and practical and uncomplicated. What does sewing mean to you?
