Handy "Bag O'Bags" Storage System Tutorial

Is your house littered with plastic bags? Can you sew? Problem solved.

I made this handy "Bag O'Bags" storage system a few months ago and it has eliminated the plastic bag full of bags system I used previously. By doing better at bringing reusable tote bags with me to the store in conjunction with this, my house is no longer being swamped by plastic bags!!!

(Here is my tutorial for an easy lined tote bag. Wanna make it easier?? Don't line it!)




Step 1: Cut out a rectangle. The dimensions don't really matter. I've seen these in different sizes, but the standard size wasn't really big enough for me. Mine is about 18" by 22". The picture I drew is much more "rectangular" looking than what I cut, which was more "square" looking.


Step 2: Sew the long edges together (right sides together or course). This will make a cylindrical tube.

Step 3: Hem the top and bottom edges. I double-folded mine for a nice clean hem, but since this is for plastic bags and you won't see the inside, a simple hem will do. Leave a gap in your hem on both ends of your tube to run elastic in them.

Step 4: Insert elastic into both ends of your bag. I cut my elastic about 9" long. You want the elastic to be tight enough that bags don't fall out of the bottom, but loose enough that you can reach into both the top and bottom to insert and remove bags as you need to. Sew the elastic ends together, and sew the gaps shut.





Step 5: Add a strap to hang up your bag. I used leftover bias tape for my strap. I sewed it to the seam on one side and Voila! I was done.