Tutorial: Reusable produce bags

Here’s a project I’ve been meaning to do for ages. I think I was putting it off because it was so simple that it somehow kept getting p pushed aside by other (perhaps more exciting?) projects. Anyway, today I thought “aw c’mon already, I’m just gonna do this.” And I did!

Reusable produce bags! Say goodbye to excess plastic and/or putting your loose and annoyingly spherical produce on the gross conveyor belt.

Here’s how I made them. (This is really so easy that it barely requires an explanation…)

Step 1. Cut out a rectangle of mesh or tulle. Note: Thinking of ironing out the wrinkles? Don’t go there.

Step 2. Fold the rectangle in half and serge (or sew) the bottom and/or side seams so you have a single opening at the top of your bag. Turn it right-side out.

Step 3. Fold the top edge inward and sew it down to form a casing for the string/cord. (But wait!  See the next photo first…)

Make sure to leave a small gap somewhere along the way (I suggest the side seam) where you can insert the string/cord.

Step 4. Cut a piece of string/cord (I suggest something lightweight) that is just a couple inches longer than twice the width of your bag. Feed it through the casing using a safety pin. Knotting the string is a good idea if it’s splitty.

Step 5. When you get both ends out, tie them together in a knot somewhere near the end.

Your bag should look something like this now.

When cinched, it should look like this!

Step 6. Insert produce and admire  your handiwork.

I made a couple more bags out of white tulle that I had leftover from making a friend a novelty veil for her bachelorette party.

Ta da!

No word yet on how durable these puppies are. I will provide an update in the future once I’ve used them a few times.

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