Want to know how to make eco shopping bags? I made these eco shopping bags for Christmas presents, out of vintage pillow slips. We wanted to minimise the use of wrapping paper so making reusable bags was our solution. I think we should get bonus eco points for upcycling vintage pillowcases. I used the Clover bias binding maker for the first time, and it is fantastic—I highly recommend it!
How to make eco shopping bags
Step 1
Firstly, fold the pillowcase in half lengthways. Draw a handle in the middle, which is at least 25cm (10″) long and 7cm (2 3/4″) wide. Ensure that the pillowslip opening is on top.
Step 2
Cut out the curves on either side of the handle. You should end up with four handles symmetrical to each other.
Step 3
Finish off the edges of the handles with either bias binding or an overlocker. I made both versions.
For the bias binding version, I made bias binding from the off-cuts of the pillow slip (thank you Clover bias binding maker) and then pressed a 2cm (3/4″) bias binding tape in half and attached it to the bag with basting stitches. It was then stitched on to the raw edges of the bag with a sewing machine.
For the overlocker version, simply run a rolled hem stitch all the way around the raw edges.
Step 4
To complete the handle, you need to attach the top of the handles together. Firstly, turn the entire bag inside out. With the right sides facing, stitch the handles together, 3cm (1 1/8″) in from the top of the handle. Fold the end down on the handle and stitch in place. Stitch over both lines twice to ensure strength. To finish off, you just need to repeat on the other handle.
How to make eco shopping bags from old pillow slips
This is so easy and such a wonderful way to use up lovely old pillowcases. It was a real hit with the family, they ended up stuffing their other Christmas gifts into the bag to take home. It was nice to see the bags in use immediately! For handmade holiday gift ideas, take a look at all these projects here.
In conclusion, if you’re an eco warrior trying to reduce plastic waste, then give these eco shopping bags a go.
45 comments
Great tutorial! I love the colours on the flower one.
Thanks Michelle. There’s some beautiful vintage pillowslips out there, just waiting to be revamped into shopping bags!
what a nice idea! I have so many….thanks for sharing I am pinning it on Pinterest
Thank you for sharing! This idea is super cute, functional and thrifty too! If you care to join a party, we have a Be Inspired link party every Tuesday!
Love the prints! Nice REuse of a pillowcase. Well done!
Thanks for this great idea!!!
What a fantastic idea! I’m going to make one tomorrow to use as a nappy bag!
Last week I blogged about the romper I made for my daughter out of a vintage pillow case … I’d love if you could stop by.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love this idea! I’m going to make one of these tomorrow to use as a diaper bag 🙂
Thanks for sharing!!
Last week I blogged about a romper that I made for my daughter out of a vintage pillowcase. I’d love for you to stop by and check it out 🙂
I just went to visit your page. You did such an amazing job, it’s amazing what you can make out of a pillowcase!
wow super idea and so great/easy? to make…I think I’ll understand the directions when getting ready to sew:) sometimes I run into duh moments…thanks
Haha that’s so true, it’s pretty difficult to fully understand how to make things until you actually start doing it. I promise this project is super easy – if I can do it, anyone can!
Hi rin your blog is great, love the shopping bag idea.
Thanks Krupa – glad you came to visit 🙂
Was just discussing what to do with old pillowcases that we all seem to have so many of. This is a perfect solution. Thank you for the great idea. Can’t wait to get started.
[…] How to make an eco shopping bag from an old pillowcase […]
Super ! Excellente idée. Merci.
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else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.
[…] How to make eco shopping bag from an old pillowcase […]
Thank you for the excellent tutorial and awesome photos. I am teaching a small group of high school kids how to sew and there are some boys in the class. This is something useful that they can make that won’t damage their “manliness”. LOL
So glad you find the tutorial helpful! Haha, my husband also helped me to make the bias binding tape. Pretty sure his masculinity was intact!
This one is pretty good; I have just seen another tutorial of making shopping bag from a pillow case, but the final bag in that tutorial has less volume with long steps, and it was looking weird. Your bag has enough volume to shop grocery.
[…] Eco Shopping Bag from an Old Pillowcase, Sew In Love […]
With the phasing out of plastic bags this bag will be great, many thanks
[…] in beautiful projects. I am currently eager to turn some old pillowcases in reusable shopping bags (check out the tutorial here), and also turn some old shirts into cute aprons (check out this tutorial here)! You can keep these […]
[…] Follow the remaining few steps by reading the whole tutorial here. […]
I made these and use them when i do craft fairs as well as for my personal shopping and they are amazing!
Thanks so much for commenting 🙂 So happy that the bags are working for you!
Such a great idea! My daughters will love these! Thanks!
[…] Follow the remaining few steps by reading the whole tutorial here. […]
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[…] billiga örngott för en tid sedan, men jag hade inte sytt något av dem innan jag råkade se en instruktion på en enkel och praktisk kasse på Pinterest. Mycket är redan gjort i och med att örngottet […]
[…] One of the most popular sewing tutorials on Sew in Love is the pillow slip shopping bag. I gave these to everyone in the family to use for grocery shopping, but by the end of our Christmas party, they had all put the presents they’d been given into the bag! That’s how handy these upcycled bags are. Head on over to the pillow slip grocery bag tutorial here. […]
I’m a bit late to the party hehe – I am not sure how you are using the bias tape for the handles? Do you «sandwich» the unfinished edge between the bias tape, or do you sorta sew the «closed» bias on one side only from the handle? I’m new to sewing and still have to wrap hy head around this! Thanks, your bags are utterly cute and I want to make many of them and use them for my groceries. 🙂
Hi Dominique,
It sure was a while back when I made these, but with the bias tape version, I’m pretty sure I just sandwiched the raw edges between the tape. Press the bias tape in half, lengthways first. You can use basting stitches or a wonder clip to ensure it all stays in place before you machine stitch it.
Excellent idea!
Looks like you could use 2 vintage pillow cases of the same size, perhaps one patterned and one plain, to make it reversible AND strengthen it for serious grocery shopping. My old pillow cases are pretty thin – I don’t think they’d hold up to cans and bottles or weighty veggies.
I’d stitch in the ditch along the bottom fold to keep the 2 pillow cases together and allow for reversing the outer/inner case with ease.
What a good idea to make the bag reversible!
[…] On the rare occasion when we do need to buy any fruit or vegetables, we use our Onya produce bags, which are lightweight mesh drawstring bags. We received these bags as a Christmas gift from Dave’s sister, and we love them! I’m sure you can make your own too – I’ve seen people sew them out of mosquito nets. Of course, it’s a given that you should bring your own shopping bags to the store. Oh and there’s no need to bag your bananas! If you’re in the mood for some cute DIY, here’s my tutorial for making shopping bags out of vintage pillowcases. […]
Thank you For this pattern. Dayboro Boomerang Bags are up and running. We were donated many pillow cases which have moved from the too hard basket and are now becoming easy versatile shopping bags. If our locals need sturdier bags, we are always making them from other recyclable materials. A big thank you. Kindest regards
Alison
[…] Eco-Friendly Pillowcase Shopping Bags […]
[…] Shopping Bag from a Pillowcase […]
What a great look! I love how you upcycled those pillow cases. They look amazing and I shared your blog post on Pinterest immediately. Great tip!
[…] Eco Shopping Bag from Pillow Case by Sew In Love […]
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