As I was perusing Gardner's Supply Company catalogue I saw a tub/tote that was perfect for the garden. Easy access to add veggies picked from the garden, easy to rinse out and thought it would be great for the local farmers market as well. I didn't want to spend $16.95 + shipping, so the wheels started turning. I've seen purses made out of animal food bags, but that is not my style. It would be perfect however for dirty/muddy vegetables. So off to the store I went to buy more dog food(we were out and did need more anyways).
This is a super simple tutorial because there is no real accuracy needed, this is no high-end fashion bag :)
First start by laying bag flat. I achieved this by clamping the corners with my Pampered Chef bag clip :) Then cut off the top about 4" down. I eyeballed this and just followed the obvious line. Is it obvious to you? Hope so.
Next fold down the bag so that is is just about 5-6" above the base as seen in this photo.
Next, take that top piece you cut off and make 2 cuts: one on each side of the original dog bag. You will have 2 equal lengths that you will use for the handles. I don't have a picture of this. Take each handle and fold in half lengthwise, pin and stitch.
On one side of the tote pin your handle down on the outside of bag. Sew a square to attach and repeat for the other end of the handle. Repeat this step for the other handle.
This is what your square stitch looks like. See...no perfection here!
When done, use it at the farmer's market or in the garden...it will hold a lot of produce!
Note: I did rinse out the dog food bag with soap and water before making this!
That is so brilliant! I'm your newest follower :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole! I heart new followers!
ReplyDeleteWow. Your blog is a little treasure trove! So many useful things. Can't wait to be back...I am a new follower! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lisa!
ReplyDeleteFound this tutorial on craft gossip and LOVE it! I don't have a dog, but am going on the hunt for empty food bags!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! For people who don't have dogs, try joining your local Freecycle group. The goal of the program is to keep useful stuff out of the landfill.
ReplyDeleteYou can ask other members in your area for their old dog food bags. Once someone replies to your request, you just have to arrange a time to pick them up. Easy!
No one in my area has ever asked for dog food bags, but kitty litter containers are at a premium!
Thanks for the Freecycle reminder! A local coffee roaster had burlap bags on offer a while back. They're not waterproof or shiny, but you could just shake the dirt off and it won't show.
DeleteI'm adding this bag to my project list for my Bag of the Week blog. I'll let you know when I make one.
Thanks Alexa! Can't wait to see how your bag turns out. I'm going to use them this year for planting potatoes!
DeleteTry a local dog boarding place for dog food bags, I am sure if you asked, they would save a couple for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Definitely will have to save my next dog food bag. A quick question, though - did you sew around the folded down part of the bag or just leave it?
ReplyDeleteLaura - I did not sew around the part that is folded down :)
ReplyDeletewonderful idea!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I happen to have an empty dog food bag so I am set! I am also a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI have a ton of old dog food bags and cat food bags. Throwing them away just seems like a waste. I do use them to put my paper for recycling in, but then when I recycle the paper I still have the bag t fill up agan. So as I said I have a ton of doogfood and cat food bags. I really want to try making this tote but I new to sewing and don't want to break my machine so I need to know what size needle did you use?
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I have a Singer and it is a 14/90 size needle for medium weight. It is deceptively easy to sew through. The only tricky part is twisting and tucking the bag around. I found it easiest to keep the needle down and the presser foot down as I slid the bag around. You should not end up with any broken needles...kinda feels like you are sewing through butter :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this idea so much that I shared your blog with my recycler's group. FYI, rice also comes in these similar reinforced plastic bags. You can buy rice this way from Asian food stores. I don't buy dog food in these huge bags, but my friend is Asian, and she gave me a rice bag. :-). Thanks for sharing this great idea.
ReplyDeleteI've been saving bags just like this for this very purpose! I wouldn't use this material as a purse either, but I like the idea of a tote. I can see it being used for crafty things such as yarn or even paint, no biggie if it gets dirty inside. Thank you for the step-by-step, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteGreat! Many thanks. I have been saving my chicken feed sacks to create something similar....
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. I would love to feature this on my blog, Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://reuseandupcycle.blogspot.com
For those of you who dont have dogs, try a "freecycle" group in your area, they may have someone willing to give you their dog food bags. It's amazing what people freecycle.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I made a bag out of a dog food bag a few months ago and it is now my favorite bag!
ReplyDeletehttp://this-busy-mommy.blogspot.com/2011/01/dog-food-bag-bag.html
What a great way to reuse those giant bags! I'm featuring this in my Earth Day round-up tomorrow!
ReplyDelete@craftystaci.com
ReplyDeleteFantastic Staci! Thanks so much!
Nice site, nice and easy on the eyes and great content too.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThanks, I do appreciate your comments!
Hope Perfect, I thought I'd use those bags as a linning for a tote. Like you're idea better!
ReplyDeleteThe simpler the better Thanx-Marlene
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteAgree Marlene! Simple is best!
Great idea, thank you I am always using the bottom of my shirt to help carry the plethora of veggies. I need to get sewing before my veggies are ready and here in south Texas that is not too far away.
ReplyDelete@Liz
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz! I'm envious...here in Chicago we have a frost advisory :( no homegrown veggies for a while.
I been saving up bags (hate to think of them ending up in a landfill) and looking for a pattern or two to use for the bags...I don't have a garden, but do go shopping alot.. and so I will make mine to go to the grocery store with.. and use instead of the flimsy wally world bags..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tute..
Cheryl
Really- Beautiful blog i like this.....
ReplyDeleteDog Food Supplies
Cool idea. I'm not a sewer so I stapled and used some duct tape too. Worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteThis just showed up in Craft Gossip, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI made these bags several years ago, and they are a big hit.
If you look around you'll see lots of items sold in these types of bags, for example, bird feed. You can even make small bags from other types of pkgs. I have one saved that came in the mail from a catalog place.. I square off the bottoms (lots of tuts on the web) to make it more roomy.
Thanks Linda! It was on CraftGossip last year as well...it was a big hit! This year I am using the bags to grow potatoes...fingers crossed :)
Deleteok, I can sew it easily enough. My question is what type of needle(topstitch?) and did you use a heavy/uphostery thread?? I've got at least 3 bags waiting to be sewn, I like how you truned it down,because the 20 lb. dog food was way to tall, and I didn't need it that big.
ReplyDeleteI did use a heavy duty needle, but just regular ol' all purpose thread :) Thanks for popping in. It's easy to sew, just gets tricky when turning the bag...keep the needle down.
DeleteThank you for the inspiration. I finally made one! :) http://www.laurascraftylife.com/2012/09/upcycled-garden-tote-bag.html
ReplyDelete