M a r g o t – N e w f o u n d l a n d e r a t H e a r t

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Plastic Bag Storage Tutorial

Materials:

1 fat quarter, or piece of fabric approximately 19”x23”. (for mine I sewed a few scraps together to make the full size – see below)

1 4”x7” scrap of fabric, to make hanging tab

1 piece of ¼” elastic, 7” long.

1 piece of ¼” elastic, 12” long.

fabric scissors

coordinating thread

1. Start of by finishing your edges (on all your scraps). I have an overlock stitch (A) on my

sewing machine, which I use to finish edges. Otherwise you can use a zigzag stitch (B) or if

you have a serger, feel free to use that.

2. If you are using scraps, decide how you want to lay them out. For mine I started by sewing

A to B, using a ½” seam allowance.

M a r g o t – N e w f o u n d l a n d e r a t H e a r t

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3. After sewing A and B together fold the edges over, press and top-stitch to hold them in place.

4. Next, I pinned piece AB to C (right sides facing) and sewed together, using a ½” seam

allowance again. Then fold the edges over, press and top-stitch to hold them in place. I

used a decorative stitch for one of my lengthwise top-stitches, to add some detail.

M a r g o t – N e w f o u n d l a n d e r a t H e a r t

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5. To create a tab to hang the bag you will need a scrap about 4”x7”. To make the tab you fold the

scrap in half length-wise (wrong-sides together) and press, and then fold the edges into the

middle fold and press. Finish with by sewing as close to the open edge as possible.

6. Now you will sew the casing for your elastics. Decide which end you want to be the bottom,

and which you want to be the top. Fold the top edge over (wrong-sides together) ¾” and

sew, using a ½” seam allowance from the folded edge. Repeat on the bottom edge.

7. Fold the hanging tab in half and

pin about 2” from the top of the

bag, with the unfinished edges in

line with the edge of the bag. Sew

this piece in place and back-stitch

across the entire tab (three to four

times to reinforce it).

M a r g o t – N e w f o u n d l a n d e r a t H e a r t

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8. Using a safety pin feed the 12” piece of elastic through the top elastic casing. Line-up the edge of

the elastic with the edge of the fabric, and sew it in place. Feed the elastic through the rest of the

casing and line up the opposite edge with the fabric, and sew in place. The fabric should be

gathered. Repeat with the 7” elastic at the bottom of the bag, be careful this elastic is short.

9. Line up the sides (unfinished edges) with the right sides facing each other, pin, and sew

together. Turn your plastic bag storage bag right-side out, fill with plastic bags, and hang

somewhere where you can admire it! Give yourself a pat on the back, for a job well done!

Happy Crafting!

Margot Newfoundlanderatheart.blogspot.com