Tues Tutorial~ Grocery Bag Keeper

 Someone asked if I could make one of these for them to store their shopping bags.  So I got online and looked at several diy and videos. Like always, I came up with my own way of making it. Here's how I did it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday Tutorial

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Size of single layer of fabric only has to be about 18x22 inches.

Whatever scrap piece of fabric you have

that's close to this size.

 

Across one of the longer edges,

turn under quarter inch,

then an amount the width of elastic

you decide to use.

I had some 1/2 inch wide elastic,

so I turned under another 1/2 inch.

Iron this turnover 

to make stitching easier.

 

Determine where end of elastic will lay

when fabric is turned over.

Stitch down end

within the future seam area.

Fold over elastic,

stitch along folded edge

being sure not to stitch into elastic.

Keep elastic free.

Stitch along edge.

 Notice the elastic is not close to the edge.

After stitching the entire edge

Stitch down the end of the elastic

at the other end.

On the other long edge

just turn under about 1/2 inch.

I was able to leave the selvage edge,

otherwise another 1/4 inch would need to be turned under.

Next time I will do this edge first

so it will be flatter work

because doing the elastic edge first

gathers up the fabric.

Top stitching detail.

 

Place the 2 shorter edges

right sides together and

stitch a seam of your desired width.

I chose a quarter inch serger seam.

A french seam would be good.

Place fabric WRONG sides together,

Stitch 1/4 inch seam, press

then place right sides together and 

stitch 1/2 inch seam to hide the seam 

you just made.

Cut a piece about 2½ x 9 to 12 inches long.

 Turn ends 1/4 inch in.

Fold long edges to center,

Topstitch along both edges. 

Stitch end of each to each side of seam

at the end with NO elastic.

These are the ties to hang the Keeper.

Now once I figure out where I can hang one,

I'll make myself one.