Saving our planet: making a reusable bread bag

Instead of buying loaves of bread wrapped in plastic from the supermarket, it is possible to go to a Bakery and buy loose loaves of bread which can be placed directly into a fabric bread bag. I used a plastic bread bag as a basis for the pattern for this bag. It can also be used to store homemade bread.

First cut two pieces of fabric, each being 20" (52 cms) long and 11" (28 cms) wide. This includes seam allowances.

Then prepare applique letters spelling "bread" the same way as was done for the Rolls Bag, but iron them on with the edge of the "b" letter 4" (10 cms) from the base of the bag, and the bottom of the letters 4.5 " (11.5 cms) from the side of the bag.

The directions for putting letters onto the Rolls Bag can be found here:
Rolls Bag

Using a half inch (1.5 cm) seam, sew across the bottom of the bag, right sides together, and then neaten with an over-locker or zig-zag stitch.

Mark 4" (10 cms) up from bottom of bag on each side and sew a half inch (1.5 cms) seam, from the top of each side, to the marker. Don't neaten these seams at this stage.

Align the base/ bottom edge seam with the end of the sew side seam (at the marker).

Then fold down so that the base seam is caught between the side seams:

Sew the end of the seam from the marker to the base of the bag, then neaten the whole of the side seam by over-locking or zig-zagging. Repeat this whole process for the other side of the bag.

Turn the bag right side out. There will now be a flap on each seam at the base of the bag.

To make the casing, cut two pieces of fabric 2" (5 cms) wide and 1" (2.5 cms) longer than the width of the bread bag. Fold each end in about half an inch (1 cm) and iron down. Then fold each piece of casing in half along the long edges, open out and then fold each side into the centre and iron down. Now sew these 3" (8 cms) down from the top of the bag, with one on each side and with ends meeting at the seam lines. 

Turn a double hem over at the top of the bag and sew.

Cut two pieces of cord about 31" (80 cms) long and thread through the casing as for the Rolls Bag.

Have fun with different colour combinations for the letters and casings. This is a good way to use up fabric scraps!

Remember: The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Socrates.