Learn how to use your fabric scraps to make a scrappy patchwork plastic bag holder. Perfect for storing all the store bags. It’s an easy sewing project!
Are you like me and keep a lot of those handy little grocery store plastic bags? Have no place to put them…..or you did and it’s all yucky from lots of use?
Today is a super easy sewing project. Better yet– you can use your fabric scraps and leftovers and either the string piecing technique or the quilt as you go technique… or even the mile a minute technique!
It really just depends on if you are using your foundation fabric while stitching the top….or just sewing a mile a minute with the top- adding the foundation piece later. Quilt as you go is the technique where you sew your quilting lines as you go (using your foundation piece at the same time as well).
For more help on those technique- click the links above and take a look.

Just a quick note about the bag holder– there are two holes. One at the top. One at the bottom. Stuff them in the top, pull them out of the bottom. Pretty simple idea and super easy to use.
The foundation or muslin piece mentioned in the materials list can be any kind of fabric! It can be leftover, non matching, muslin or whatever you have on hand.
Materials Needed:
18″ X 18″ outside piece (can be one fabric or you can go scrappy)
20″ X 20″ muslin or lining fabric
2– 6″ elastic for the closures
2– 12″ Ribbon for the hanging tie
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Scrappy Patchwork Plastic Bag Holder Tutorial~
1) Sew your bit of pieces together until it measures at least 18″ X 18″. You can use the mile a minute method– or use the muslin while you are sewing them together (foundation piecing)

2) Trim up the piece to 18″ X 18″
3) Pin your outside piece to the muslin lining- yes, the foundation piece is larger than your scrappy patchwork piece. This is so if there is any shifting while you quilt, you won’t mess things up.
4) Machine stitch lines in any direction and design you’d like. I simply quilted straight lines following the seams- stitching 1/2″ away.
5) Trim the piece to 18″ X 18″
6) Hem the top and bottom edge

7) Fold in half the long way and pin together- right sides facing- hems are at the top and bottom
8) Sew along the seam
9) Lace the elastic in one end- pull tight leaving it open enough you can stuff and remove bags. Stitch to secure

10) Turn right sides out place hanging ribbon inside the top hem- stitch to secure each to the side opposite each other

11) Hang where you’d like

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Click the button below and download the Printable Tutorial.
Here is my before and after– before I had a nasty little basket holding all the loose bags which would of course fall on you if you bumped it.


So much nicer! Now it has a tie at the top, so it can go anywhere! Plus, it’s so much nicer to look at, and no bags fall on your head!

Check here if you are looking for more easy sewing projects.

Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Good way to use up those scraps!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your tutorial’ http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=84615# –Anne
I thought this was a simple project. Thanks for the instructions.
I’ve been making these bags for the last few months using leftover fat quarters, and adding contrasting top and bottom borders for interest. I love the scrap option now as well. Why didn’t I think of that. They make great gifts also.