With the introduction of charges for plastic shopping bags, more people have started carrying eco-bags.
I’m sure many of you have at least one favorite eco-bag, right?
This article introduces DIY ideas for making your own eco-bags.
If you’d like to craft one using fabric you love, please take a look for inspiration.
We feature a variety of ideas, such as types that attach to a supermarket basket, shapes convenient for quick convenience-store runs, shoulder-carry designs, and versions that fold up compactly.
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Let's make a handmade eco bag: A collection of convenient and cute ideas (1–10)
It Won’t Tip Over! Convenience Store Eco Bag
This is a convenient reusable convenience-store bag that keeps the contents from tipping over, even when you put in items of various shapes and sizes.
Sew your favorite fabric into the shape of a bag.
The key is to add an internal divider.
Attach snap buttons or similar so it can be removed easily, and create the divider.
Also, add hook-and-loop fasteners so you can lightly close the opening and use them as a closure when the bag is folded—then it’s done! After placing a bento or similar item on the bottom, pull out the divider and try putting a bottle or other differently shaped item on top.
Because the two items don’t interfere with each other thanks to the divider, the contents won’t tip over!
Shoulder-Carry! Large Nylon Eco Bag
Let’s make a large eco bag with big handles that can be worn over the shoulder! We recommend using nylon fabric, which is safe even if it gets wet.
First, cut the fabric into parts: the handles, the bag body, and a storage pocket.
Start by making the pocket and the bag separately.
For the bag’s gusset, it’s best to make it as large as possible.
Sew the bag body and the handles together, and finally attach the pocket to the inside of the bag to finish! When you fold the bag, you can store it in the inner pocket, making it convenient to carry around.
Shupatto-style eco bag
Some eco-bags can be tricky to fold, right? A popular solution to that problem is Shupatto, an eco-bag that’s easy to fold with just a pull.
Here, we’ll show you how to make a Shupatto-style eco-bag that’s simple and convenient.
Prepare four pieces of your favorite fabric cut to the same rectangular size, and sew them together.
Keep in mind how it will be folded and stored, and create plenty of folds as you go.
Be careful so you don’t lose track of where to sew.
Attach an elastic band to hold the bag together when storing, and you’re done! It folds up small, so even carrying two or three won’t take up much space.
[Straight stitches only!] Easy eco bag
![[Straight stitches only!] Easy eco bag](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PttlPaNMn7s/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s an introduction to making a very simple eco-bag that you can complete by sewing only straight lines.
Cut your chosen fabric into parts for the bag, handles, and a storage pocket, then sew each piece together.
When attaching the storage pocket to the bag, be sure to sew the elastic that will hold the pocket’s fastener in place at the same time.
Finally, attach a button to the pocket as the fastener, and you’re done! If you fold the bag and the handles, you can tuck them into the attached pocket.
The sewing method is very easy, so even those who aren’t confident at sewing should give it a try!
Clothing remade eco bag
With the SDGs in mind, let’s try upcycling clothes you no longer wear into an eco bag! Using a T-shirt is easy and recommended.
First, cut off the sleeves and widen the neckline so items can be put in easily.
Once it has a tank-top shape, place the fabric right sides together and sew along the edges.
Adjust details like the gusset size to your preference.
When you finish sewing, turn it right side out and you’re done! It’s easy to make, so enjoy upcycling various garments—ones that no longer fit or are hard to wear because they’re out of style.
tote eco bag
If you tend to do a lot of shopping, how about making a larger, tote-style eco bag? Prepare your favorite fabric and some bag webbing for the handles.
Sew the fabric into a bag shape, adding gussets as you go.
If you thread the handle webbing through the top like the elastic in a waistband, you can partially close the opening.
You might also consider adjusting the size based on the amount you usually buy.
[100-yen shop remnants] Convenience store eco bag
![[100-yen shop remnants] Convenience store eco bag](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rsP_D8IzMm4/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s a way to make a convenience-store-sized eco bag using fabric remnants sold at 100-yen shops! It’s best to iron the remnants first before cutting and sewing.
Cut part of a remnant into a long strip, then cut that strip in half to make the bag handles.
The remaining pieces will form the main body of the bag.
After that, just sew the parts together and you’re done! Adding a small gusset will make it more practical.
If you use polyester remnants, they’ll dry quickly even if they get a little wet, so it’s worry-free.