After the snack bag, makeup removing pad and produce bag projects, the grocery bag was a must for our zero-waste collection, especially as we are celebrating Earth Day.

One after the other, our municipalities are doing their part for our beautiful planet by banning the infamous indestructible plastic bag (read between the lines: that will not yet have decomposed when your great-great-great-grandson retires). And, being who I am and always going full force, I have decided to give you a pattern with several options to choose from in order for you to create the perfect bag that will fit YOUR needs and desires.

First off, you will have the option to add a lining to your bag. I use it to run errands, but it’s also a great bag to bring to work. Those who know me know that when I go somewhere, it’s almost like I’m moving, so it’s hard for me to just bring a purse. Hence, a nice lined bag was a must for me.

The other options are mostly for looks. Model A is for a quick “snap of the fingers” creation. Then, model B is for the indecisive who can’t begin to choose between two fabrics; it allows them to use both and create a cute panel at the bottom of the bag. Finally, model C is the addition of a cute pocket to model B.

Here are other zero waste projects to help you waste (a little) less!

• Produce bag
• Snack bag
• Makeup removing pad

Model A

Model B

Model C

Difficulty level: Medium. Basic knowledge of a sewing machine.

Project duration: Approx. 1 hour

Seam allowance included: 1 cm (3/8 in) 

In order for it to be a project as eco-friendly as possible, with pieces—rectangles and squares—pretty simple to create, we recommend not to print the pattern to avoid wasting paper. 

Model A

Materials required:

• 60 cm (23 5/8 in) of fabric with a pattern or 1 m (39 3/8 in) of fabric with no pattern (cotton, canvas or home decor fabric)  
• 1 m (39 3/8 in) of fabric if you choose the lined model (quilting cotton, lining or canvas)  
• 1.5 m (59 in) of straps (don’t hesitate to adjust the length for your comfort)  

Cuts/Unlined:

• 1 x piece A (H: 99 cm (39 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in)) – If your fabric doesn’t have a pattern, is solid colour and has no texture, you can simply cut a big rectangle.

or

• 2 x piece B (H: 50.5 cm (19 7/8 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in)) – If your fabric has a pattern or a texture with a grain, for example, velvet, you must cut 2 rectangles to avoid having one side upside down.

and

• 2 straps of the width of your liking (L: 75 cm (30 in)) (you can adjust the length of the straps, so they fall higher or lower under the arm). You can also make your own straps using fabric such as leather or cotton, but I would suggest interlining any thin fabric to secure it in place. The straps will be the ones carrying the weight of your never-ending lists of groceries!)

Cuts/Lined:

• 1 x piece C in the outer fabric (H: 97 cm (38 3/16 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in)) – If your fabric doesn’t have a pattern, is solid colour and has no texture, you can simply cut a big rectangle.

• or
• 2 x piece D in the outer fabric (H: 49.5 cm (19 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in)) – If your fabric has a pattern or a texture with a grain, for example, velvet.

and

• 1 x piece C in your lining (H: 97 cm (38 3/16 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in))
• 2 straps of the width of your liking (L: 75 cm (30 in))

STEP 1: If you are using fabric with a pattern, cut piece B twice rather than using piece A to avoid having one side upside down. The rectangles must be sewn, right sides together, along the width to create a big rectangle.

STEP 2: Fold the outer rectangle in half, right sides together, and sew both sides. You can use a serger or a bias tape to secure the stitches.

STEP 3:  Create the corners by bringing together the side stitches and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip. 

*If you have chosen the unlined model, go to step 8. 

STEP 4:  If you have chosen the lined model, fold your lining (piece C) in half, right sides together, and sew both sides, leaving an opening of approx. 10 cm (3 15/16 in) on one of the stitches. This opening will allow you to turn your bag inside out. (27-29) 

STEP 5:  Repeating step 3, this time for your lining, bring together the side stitches and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line at 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip. If your fabric is very thick, you can cut the excess so it’s not too bulgy. 

STEP 6:  Turn your bag inside out and insert the lining, right sides together. Sew the top of the bag. You can then turn your bag right side out and close the opening by top stitching right on the edge or hand sewing a blind stitch. 

STEP 7: Top stitch the top part of the bag to secure the lining inside. 

STEP 8:  If you have chosen the unlined model, make the edge of your bag by folding—twice—1 cm of the fabric, and then topstitch the edge. 

STEP 9:  Install the straps. You must position them 10 cm from either side of the centre. Fold the edge of each strap, and sew a box x stitch (a square with two diagonals making an x) to secure it in place.  

Model B

Required materials:

• 30 cm (11 3/4 in) of outer fabric (cotton, canvas or home decor fabric)
• 50 cm (20 in) of leatherette or structured contrast fabric for the background
• 1 m (39 3/8 in) of lining fabric if you choose the lined model (quilt cotton, lining or canvas)
• 1.5 m (59 in) of webbing (adjust the length of your webbing to suit your comfort)

Cuts/Unlined:

• 1 x piece E (bottom) in outer fabric 1 (H: 18 1/2 in (47 cm) / W: 20 in (52 cm))  
• 2 x piece F (top) in outer fabric 2 (H: 28 cm / W: 52 cm (20 in))  
• 2 x webbing in the width of your choice (W: 75 cm (30 in))  

Cuts /Lined:

• 1 x piece E (bottom) in outer fabric 1 (H:47 cm (18 1/2 in) / W:52 cm (20 in))
• 2 x piece G (top) in outer fabric 2 (H:27 cm (10 5/8 in) / W:52 cm (20 in))
• 1 x piece C in your lining (H: 38 3/16 in (97 cm) / W: 20 in (52 cm))
• 2 webbing of your choice of width (L: 75 cm (30 in))

STEP 1: Right sides together, sew the bottom piece with pieces F or G (depending on whether you have chosen the lined or unlined model). You can add a topstitch by bringing the stitching values down towards the bottom of the bag.

STEP 2: Fold your large outer rectangle right sides together and sew both sides together. Make sure your yoke seams are aligned. You can also serge your seam, or put on a bias tape to prevent your seam from fraying.

STEP 3: Make the corners of your bag by joining the side seam and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip.

* If you have chosen the unlined model, go to step 8. 

STEP 4: If you have chosen the lined model, fold your lining piece (piece C) in half, right sides together, and sew the two sides together, leaving an opening of about 10 cm on one of the two seams. This opening will allow you to turn your bag right side out. 

STEP 5: Make the corners of your lining, as in step 3, by joining the side seam and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip.

STEP 6: Turn your outer bag right side out and insert the lining, right sides together. Sew the top of the bag. You can then turn your bag right side out and close the opening with a topstitch very close to the edge or an invisible stitch by hand.

STEP 7: Then topstitch the top of the bag so that the lining stays in place on the inside.

STEP 8: If you had opted for the unlined model, make the edge of your bag by turning twice x 1 cm and stitch on the edge of the fold afterwards.

STEP 9: Install the webbing. You should position them 10 cm on each side of the centre. Fold the edge of the strap, make a square seam and make two diagonals in it in order to have a very solid seam.

Model C

Required materials:

• 30 cm (11 3/4 in) of outer fabric (cotton, canvas or home decor fabric)
• 50 cm (20 in) of leatherette or structured contrast fabric for the background
• 1 m (39 3/8 in) of lining fabric if you choose the lined model (quilt cotton, lining or canvas)
• 1.5 m (59 in) of webbing

Cuts/Unlined:

• 1 x piece E (bottom) in outer fabric 1 (H: 47 cm (18 1/2 in) / L: 52 cm (20 in))
• 2 x piece F (top) in outer fabric 2 (H: 28 cm / L: 52 cm (20 in))
• 1 x piece H (pocket) (H: 22 cm / L: 20 cm (7 7/8 in)) in an outer fabric
• 2 x webbing in the width of your choice (L: 1.25 m (49 in))

Cuts /Lined:

• 1 x piece E (bottom) in outer fabric 1 (H:47 cm (18 1/2 in) / W:52 cm (20 in))
• 2 x piece G (top) in outer fabric 2 (H:27 cm (10 5/8 in) / W:52 cm (20 in))
• 1 x piece C in your lining (H: 38 3/16 in (97 cm) / W: 20 in (52 cm))
• 1 x piece H (pocket) (H: 22 cm / L: 20 cm (7 7/8 in)) in an outer fabric
• 2 webbing of your choice of width (L: 1.25 m (49 in))

STEP 1: Make the edge of your pocket by turning twice by 1 cm and topstitch on the edge of the fold afterwards. Attach the pocket to the bottom of one of the two top pieces, centring it correctly using the centre notch you made beforehand.

STEP 2: Attach each end of the large webbing centred on each side of the pocket. On the second piece, attach at an equal distance from the centre based on the distance from the front. This measurement will vary depending on the width of the webbing you have chosen.

STEP 3: Sew the bottom piece with the F or G pieces (depending on whether you have chosen the lined or unlined model) right sides together. You can add topstitching by moving the seam values down towards the bottom of the bag.

STEP 4: If you chose the lined model, attach your webbing, making sure they are parallel to the sides. You can check the distance between the centre and the webbing at the bottom of the pocket and transfer this measurement to the top of the bag. Outline the webbing on each side, making sure to leave 1.5 cm (59 in) at the top of the bag to allow space for sewing the lining. If you chose the unlined model, you will attach the webbing in step 11.

STEP 5: Fold your large outer rectangle right sides together and sew both sides together. Make sure your yoke seams are aligned. You can also serge your seam, or put on a bias tape to prevent your seam from fraying.

STEP 6: Make the corners of your bag by joining the side seam and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip.

* If you have chosen the unlined model, go to step 11. 

STEP 7: If you have chosen the lined model, fold your lining piece (piece C) in half, right sides together, and sew the two sides together, leaving an opening of about 10 cm on one of the two seams. This opening will allow you to turn your bag right side out.

STEP 8: Make the corners of your lining, as in step 6, by joining the side seam and the centre of the bottom, right sides together. Sew a straight line 7.5 cm (3 in) from the tip.

STEP 9: Turn your outer bag right side out and insert it into the lining, right sides together. Sew the top of the bag. You can then turn your bag right side out and close the opening with a topstitch very close to the edge or an invisible stitch by hand.

STEP 10: Then topstitch the top of the bag so that the lining stays in place on the inside.

STEP 11: If you have chosen the unlined model, make the edge of your bag by turning twice by 1 cm (0.39 in) and stitch on the edge of the fold afterwards. 

STEP 12: If you have chosen the unlined model, attach your webbing, making sure they are parallel to the sides. You can check the distance from the centre to the webbing at the bottom of the pocket and transfer this measurement to the top of the bag. Make the outline of the straps on each side. 

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