I spent this morning making some dog food bags into tote bags. The two doggies that eat the purina fit and trim which comes in woven plastic bags. The bags are so nice I cannot throw them away. Prototype 1 did not come out too bad but was not really measured at all. Prototype 2 came out nicely and will be a gift for a friend that I walk with. This is prototype 2. I added some fabric and used old rope from a hammock that was no longer usable as handles.
I wanted to make prototype 3 a bit bigger. First I cut out the 2 sides and the main piece. The main piece is the front - bottom and back. You can see part of it on the left. The two sides are on the right.
Then I cut a strip of 2" wide by however long the scrap was of fabric and sewed it on the top edges of the sides and on each top edge of the main bag . I ironed this strip in half so it was easier to sew on. I am able to pin into the fabric, although tape works ok but makes my needle sticky.
Next came the pocket. I used the same fabric with a piece of interfacing to add a bit of strength to it. Turned over the top edge and sewed it down.I then sewed the pocket on to the front of the bag. I also sewed on the handles using a large zig zag stitch to attach the hammock rope. Make sure they are the same length.
Take the main piece, and sew on one of the sides. I used a zig zag stitch on the outside of the bag. The bottom edge first then the sides. Then the second side. This is what it looks like when its done. I also added a bit of fabric to the handle to make it easier to hold. I did all of the sewing on the outside with a thread to match the fabric in a large zig zag stitch.
Its not perfect, but now that I know how I like to put them together I can create a pattern and make some in the same size. My two dogs eat 2 of the 40lb bags a month so I will have plenty to play around with. It was fun and I like the material since its waterproof. A good bag for the beach or the grocery store or for whatever.
I wanted to make prototype 3 a bit bigger. First I cut out the 2 sides and the main piece. The main piece is the front - bottom and back. You can see part of it on the left. The two sides are on the right.
Then I cut a strip of 2" wide by however long the scrap was of fabric and sewed it on the top edges of the sides and on each top edge of the main bag . I ironed this strip in half so it was easier to sew on. I am able to pin into the fabric, although tape works ok but makes my needle sticky.
Next came the pocket. I used the same fabric with a piece of interfacing to add a bit of strength to it. Turned over the top edge and sewed it down.I then sewed the pocket on to the front of the bag. I also sewed on the handles using a large zig zag stitch to attach the hammock rope. Make sure they are the same length.
Take the main piece, and sew on one of the sides. I used a zig zag stitch on the outside of the bag. The bottom edge first then the sides. Then the second side. This is what it looks like when its done. I also added a bit of fabric to the handle to make it easier to hold. I did all of the sewing on the outside with a thread to match the fabric in a large zig zag stitch.
Its not perfect, but now that I know how I like to put them together I can create a pattern and make some in the same size. My two dogs eat 2 of the 40lb bags a month so I will have plenty to play around with. It was fun and I like the material since its waterproof. A good bag for the beach or the grocery store or for whatever.
interesting idea...i'll bet they'll last forever!
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