Converting Recycled Bags into Totes

This project was a way to use food bags and turn them into totes. We buy a lot of pet food and I wanted a way to use the bags in a fun project. I also used the big bag of M&M’s for a small snack bag type of thing. I gave it to my niece after having filled it with her favorite candies.

Start by trimming your bags in a way that you can clean any food residue that may be on the inside. 

After cleaning the food bags, measure the length and width of the bags. Make sure to cut the lining fabric with a comfortable seam allowance. On some projects, I will use a quarter inch seam allowance, a half inch seam allowance, or even an inch seam allowance. On this project, I used half an inch on the sides and an inch on the top so I could fold the lining to the outside to create a half inch trim at the top of the tote bag.

Pin the sections, with the right sides together so that the lining is the only thing showing. You should not see the recycled bags.

On these, I started at the top of one side, sewed down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Then I dog-eared the bottom.

Take the inch of fabric at the top of the tote and fold over ½ inch and press. Then repeat so that there is a half in binding at the top of the tote.

For the handles, I used a three inch wide piece of fabric. Determine the required length of the handles, include the amount that you will use to secure the handles to the bag and multiply by 2. (I was making so many bags that I just cut a couple of long 3 inch strips and cut off what was needed.)

For comfortable handles, add a one inch wide strip of batting in the center of the strip. Secure in place.

This is one of those places that if you have a favorite way of making handles, then use the tried and true method.

Fold one side of the strip over and press. Fold the remaining side so the edge will be finished and press. Make sure you fold it so that it will cover the batting completely. Fold over the batting and press. I folded my handles in a way so that my stitches would run down the middle of the handles. On some of the handles, I used a strait stitch. On others, I used some of my decorative stitches.

Position the handles so that the stitches that secure the binding will also secure the handles. If you plan to use your tote for heavy items, sew the handles in a way that can hold the weight. Some use an “X” shaped stitching pattern to add strength.

Here is an image so that you can see how the handles are attached to the bags. For what we carry in the bags, this will be strong enough. Otherwise, I would have secured them in a manner to hold the extra weight. No need in having anything break because the handles failed to remain attached to the bag.

 Here are the finished bags. The pet bags are made from a metalized plastic. So if they need washed, they could be washed on a gentle cycle. Because they are a plastic, they cannot be placed in the dryer.

The M&M’s bag is just plastic. If it needs washed, it will be hand washed and then allowed to air dry.

Have fun sewing!