Many of you requested a tutorial for my pillowcase grocery bags. They are super easy and quick to make, involving only straight line sewing. The straps actually take a bit more time than the bag itself, but still easy enough. Hopefully these instructions are easy to follow.
Here is what you will need:
–Cutting mat or nice large space to work on
–scissors (rotary cutter optional)
–Thrifted pillow case (any size), washed and ironed
–Sewing machine, thread, pins and sewing needles(optional)
–hot iron
–About one hour of time and some good music.
- Turn pillowcase inside-out and fold in half long-ways.
- Cut a 3-4 inch strip off of one side. Save the long strip for the straps.
- Open and lay flat. Pin together the open sides. You will be sewing this together in the following manner, leaving a 6 inch (15cm) gap in the center.
- Cut a 2 inch square (a) off of all four corners (b) making sure to measure from the folded edge and and seam, not the rough edge.
- Following THESE instructions, you are going to square off each corner (c).
- When all four corners are sewn, flip the bag right side out through the open gap and sew the gap closed (hand or machine– I used my machine for this). Now you will have a completely sewn shut, empty pillowcase with squared off corners.
- Now the fun (and kinda hard to explain) part… Fold the pillowcase into itself by stuffing the just sewn together gap-end into the bottom of the opposite end. The sewn together gap-end will be the inside bottom of your bag(d) and the squared-off corners will meet together on each side(e). Does this make any sense at all?
- Once all the corners meet(f), iron and then sew around the top edge. Now you are ready for the straps
There are many ways to make straps, this is just how I do it. I just don’t like sewing all around the edges of a skinny strap and then try to turn it right side out of a little hole on the end.
- Cut off the big hemmed end off of the remaining strip. Fold the strip in half long-ways and cut again. These will be your two straps. They should be 12-16inches long each.
- With the right sides facing in, sew together the short ends of each strap, leaving one long side open.
- Trim the corners(g) and turn right-side out.
- Following the picture above, fold the ends towards the inside so that the raw edges are tucked inside(h-j). Once it is straight and flat(k), press with an iron and sew together(l-m).
- Lastly, sew one strap to each side of your bag with big criss-cross squares(n) and you are done!!!
Now, my editor (Mr Creative Kismet, who really isn’t very creative as far as sewing is concerned, but did major in english lit) said “um, this sounds good and seems to make sense?”. What he was really trying to say was that he hasn’t a clue if this sounds right. SO, if any of you sewing buddies of mine out there in blog land think I need to tweek anything on this, please shout out, because I did use some of my own terminology which may, or may not, be helpful in this tutorial. Thanks!
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October 29th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Love your tutorial. Come visit my blog…All the way from Malaysia.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I love ‘tutorials’!! I’m so glad I found you… how VAST this blogworld is! Your header inspired me without reading any further. It’s so bright and inviting.
I’ve been making pillowcases but haven’t made anything from a pillowcase. Here’s my opportunity.
I’ll close so I can go back and read your previous posts. That and a cuppa tea sounds good right now.
Fall hugs,
Joni
October 29th, 2007 at 11:21 am
thanks! this is great!
October 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Wow, how long did that tutorial take for you to photograph, set up, and post? You probably could have make half a dozen totes in that time, huh? :0) Thanks for taking all the effort, I’m off to the thrift store to search for… guess what?
October 30th, 2007 at 7:19 am
[...] a cold and don’t have enough energy to leave the house. So following the directions given on Creative Kismet and a page torn from Woman’s Day that my mother lovingly tore out for me (maybe two years [...]
October 30th, 2007 at 10:43 am
That’s great and thank you for sharing.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I’m heading to the thrift store tomorrow to pick up some pc’s — they’re a buck each [Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
]. I’ve bought them before to cut up for fabric for quilts, but never thought of using the pillowcase itself as the basis for a project – this is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you!!
November 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Wow! Wanted to make something interesting for Xmas. Now I have the sure thing. Thanks!
November 18th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
I actually had the very same print on my sheets and pillow cases back in the 70’s! GROOVY!!
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:10 am
This is awesome! I needed a quick and easy bag pattern for my teen group! Thank you SO much!
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
LOVE IT. (And great pattern on the fabric too!)
November 24th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Nice tote bag!
December 6th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
OMIGOSH…I had to comment because I had those same sheets when I was a little girl!!! I found you from over at Scribbit…love your tutorials!!
December 7th, 2007 at 6:15 am
[...] case tote. Have any pretty pillowcases you can’t bear to throw away? Creative Kismet has this tutorial to make them into classy totes. Here’s another version from Maize’s Dairy using vintage [...]
December 7th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
[...] feature is from Creative Kismet with a fabulous Pillowcase Tote Tutorial. Many of you requested a tutorial for my pillowcase grocery bags. They are super easy and quick to [...]
January 1st, 2008 at 8:16 am
This is a great project. I just had one question about squaring off the corners. Do you just sew them or do you turn them some way, Im a little lost there (sorry new sewer). Can anyone clarify for me?
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Fantastic. I can’t wait to have a go, I know I have some odd pillowcases here somewhere!
http://sewdelish.blogspot.com/
January 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I made my first one today and it turned out great.
http://flickr.com/photos/djlinedancer/2209860125/
January 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
[...] Pillowcase Bag [...]
February 12th, 2008 at 6:00 am
I love it and will make lots. may put velcro on top for kids to use for fun.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Too cute! I love it.
Hugs and love
Sarah-Ann
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 am
[...] No sewing got done last week. I have been incredibly slack and still haven’t sewn his library bag, so I’m going to try and sneak it in between getting home tomorrow and Tyler getting home from Nan and pops. Wish me luck. I also want to do http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/10/27/pillowcase-tote-tutorial/ [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Thank you for this! My first tote has become my “shabby chic” purse and now I am about to make more!
Oh, I found you from Lisa’s blog! http://lisaboyer.blogspot.com
Cath
April 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
[...] – Keep a wallet-sized fold-up shopping bag with you at all times. Creative Kismet – Shows you how to turn your old pillowcases into a cute shopping bag. morsbags.com - Download [...]
April 20th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I’ve already made two bags this morning and you can check my blog for photos.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
[...] Kismet shows how to use a pillow case to make a grocery bag. Just looking at the photo I would never have [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
[...] – Keep a wallet-sized fold-up shopping bag with you at all times. Creative Kismet – Shows you how to turn your old pillowcases into a cute shopping bag. morsbags.com – Download easy [...]
May 4th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I have a question regarding the corners also…did I miss a step somewhere? the picture isn’t very informative and I can’t seem to figure it out! Any help would be appreciated…
May 5th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I had that very pillowcase, but in the blue colorway, back in the late 1960’s. How cool to see its twin on your tutorial! Ellen.
May 8th, 2008 at 12:40 am
many many beautiful.. you bag and the tutorial.
sorry for my english..
ciao
ciao
anna paola italy
May 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am
[...] Tote Tutorial… off of all four corners b making sure to measure from the folded edge and and …http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/10/27/pillowcase-tote-tutorial/Extra Pockets Since Taylor invited a friend over for the afternoon, I found some time to start on [...]
June 26th, 2008 at 5:24 am
I LOVE THIS SITE but this is the only thing I didn’t like when I made it I used it to carry my books to the public library, and when I put all my books in like 2 or 3 in it collapsed the seams ripped and it was a really big pillow that was strong.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
[...] not exactly quilting, I love this idea of turning an old pillowcase into a new tote. Great option for thrift-store or garage sale found vintage pillowcases. addthis_url = [...]
July 5th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I am so excited about this project and for the one who commented that it wasn’t strong enough for library books, nearly everything isn’t strong enough for books unless it is canvas. You could do the interior in canvas if you wanted to.
I wanted to let you know I have a pillowcase just like the one shown here. It is vintage made in about the sixties. I inheired my Aunt’s estate and there are so many pillowcases. Now I have something to do with them.
Have you ever heard of a circle purse? That would be a good idea on this if the outside of your pillowcase didn’t look that good. I saw a small purse, it’s cloth, with a zipper, cloth straps, and cordinating fabric. First make the purse and then you put circles all over it sewing them on the front of the purse. The circles are with both sides together, then turn inside out and sew around the circle, sew onto purse.
Diane
August 14th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I have long made pillowcase dresses for my daughter. I’m kind sick of them, so now I can use my stock pile of pillowcases on grocery sacks. Great tutorial, I totally get it!!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Great idea, thank you for sharing. I made but used the pillow case as a lining. Made same width but shortened it. Thanks For the Bolg’s I have been looking for a Quilting blogg for monthe. Good Day fro Northern NY
September 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Great idea I have made a bunch of reusuable shopping bags out of pillowcases. I usually line my bags with a solid colored pillowcase to make it stronger I have never had a problem with them ripping. I been using my reusuable bags for over two years now and have received many complients on my bags. I have found some great pillowcases and sheets in the thrift stores to use in my bags.
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Thanks for the great tutorial… we had those sheets in 2 different colors – they were “hot” at the time! LOL
October 11th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I actually have these pillowcases! *LOL* Love the suggestion–We bought a house from family that still had a lot of stuff in it, some of which was dozens of new and used pillowcases. I’m glad I haven’t sent them to the thrift store yet.
November 1st, 2008 at 11:33 am
Wonderful patterns! Thank you so much for your attention to details and the great pictures. I just found your website, looking for a pattern for fabric flowers. I’ll be back here often! Thanks!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:26 am
NICE
January 5th, 2009 at 7:10 am
[...] a pattern online in order to showeveryone how to do just this. Please go to to Creative Kismet’swebsite in order to properly follow these instructions due to the fact thatthey have pictures to go along [...]
January 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hello, what a great eco-friendly money saving idea! I think I might try one and perhaps use it as birthday or Christmas wrapping paper! Thanks for the pics with your tutorials too.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Very nice idea and very helpful tutorial. I love the photos and the explanations. I will try to make one myself. Thank you
February 8th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I just wanted to say thank you for the tutorial. I used it today, it was simple and made a great bag. If you want to see what I made you can see a picture here:http://edutach.blogspot.com/2009/02/pillowcase-tote.html
Thanks again for sharing
Mary
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
[...] at Creative Kismet I found this great Pillowcase Tote Tutorial. I tried my hand at one, it came out a bit different [...]
March 13th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Wow! This will make a great tote for my rotary cutting board!!! Thanks
April 1st, 2009 at 1:56 am
Pillow case tote tuturial is very easy to make. The instructions must be followed step by step to get a tote bag.
April 24th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Thanks for sharing this! Great tutorial and a great way to reuse old pillowcases.
I linked it at PassiFlora magazine (we have a post about reusable bags) http://passifloramag.com/2009/04/good-news/ I hope you do not mind.
P.S. I was unable to get a picture of the final tote. Feel free to send me a copy and I’ll add it to the post.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
[...] I’m also thinking about making some of these pillowcase totes. [...]
June 8th, 2009 at 9:27 am
[...] Pillow Case Tote- I totally have a pile of random pillow cases that match NOTHING. Do you? [...]
June 29th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Thanks for the great tutorial…I made one from a pillowcase
and another from some scraps of fabric then added a button
June 30th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
[...] Tote [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
[...] 23, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized — temachtiani @ 2:13 pm A few months ago I found a great tutorial for making your own shopping bags out of pillowcases. But, it took me awhile to find the perfect [...]
August 8th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Oh my goodness! No way. You have the matching pillow cases to my thrift store find sheet that I turned into a summer duvet cover.
http://fimby.tougas.net/thrift-sheet-duvet-cover
Thank you for this great tutorial. Something I can actually sew!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
[...] sewing day I was planning on trying my hand at this, but decided to make chutney instead. Because making chutney is kind of housewifey, I thought that while it was cooking was an excellent time to make a few more shopping bags. [...]
August 21st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Thanks Mate from an Ozzie Shield by marriage. Just what I needed some easy sewing now I am retired, great pattern and instructions, will watch your page with interest Ta Val Sydney
October 14th, 2009 at 8:05 am
that was fun…but i had to laugh…i KNOW those sheets…we had them in blue too…lol…and im 58…ha!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I love this! I just bought a sewing machine and am just learning to use it, this was a perfect beginner project for me! This also works well with a yard of fabric, doesn’t it? I bought some cute prints to try it out. Thank you for a great idea! Laura
November 20th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Love it. Your english is just fine to an aussie. Maybe someone who has an english degree, just needs to learn to sew so he can understand the written word. LOL
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I adore thrifted pillowcases and I adore making bags…thanks for the tute! I love that they are lined, and so, reinforced. Perfect! I have already made quite a few from this tute. Thanks!
February 4th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Love your pillowcase tote…such a good idea!! Thanks for sharing!
February 12th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
What a great addition to the pillowcase dresses my faith group is making for Haitian girls. Missionaries have told us that children have nothing to carry their few belongings and this is perfect to add to the dresses that are being sent. This is heaven sent. Thank yo