DIY Earth Day Projects: Reusable Produce Bags

Celebrate Earth Day everyday by making some Earth-friendly projects. While many of us have plenty of reusable shopping bags what about produce bags? I didn't like how many plastic bags I was using to fill up and separate my produce with so I made some out of recycled flour sacks I had been using for dish towels. These are the best, light weight but sturdy, and EASY to make. Add The Green Life embroidery designs to these projects for extra detail. This collection features several linework designs that are great for quick embroidery on light weight materials like flour sack towels, t-shirts, and shopping bags.  For the Upcycled Jeans Tote Bag you can use this tutorial here. Get the DIY tutorial on how to sew your own reusable produce bags. 

Supplies:

• The Green Life embroidery collection
• Flour sack towel 
• Brother SE1900
• General sewing and cutting supplies

For the Upcycled Jean bag use my tutorial here. I added the embroidery pattern on the front pocket prior to sewing. 

Cut a basic flour sack towel in half. You can make 2 produce bags out of each one and these are pretty large bags. You can alter the measurements to make them smaller or larger. Measurements of the cloth I used after cutting: 15 x 28"

• Fold over the top cut edge 1/4" and press, then another 1/2" and press. This is the casing for the drawstring. 
• Stitch right along the edge. 
• Fold so right sides are together and stitch the sides (1/2" seam allowance) and bottom making sure to leave the top casing open for the drawstring (bottom right photo)
• Use a piece of string about 25" long and a safety pin to weave through the casing. Knot the ends of the drawstring. For the string I cut a 1" strip of knit fabric and pulled it to create string. 

Now you have a great little produce bag! Make a few and you'll never need the plastic ones again. 

*In collaboration with Embroidery Online.