Reusable Bread Bag Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Nylon thread
• thin sewing machine needle
• 20 inches ripstop nylon (this is enough nylon for 3 reusable bread bags)

Cut list for each bag:

• 20 x 17" ripstop nylon
• 20 x 2" ripstop nylon

Take the 20x2" strip of nylon and fold it into quarters by folding the sides into the middle then folding the entire strip in half

Hold in place with clips. 

Important: Do NOT use pins when working with nylon!

Sew down the length of the strip, holding the folds in place

Take the 20x17" piece of nylon and fold it in half lengthwise (so it now measures 10 x 17")

Sew the long side shut, inserting the nylon strip between the layers approximately 4 inches from the top. To insert the strip, first fold it in half. You'll be inserting the folded end between the layers to turn your one strip into two ties. 

Turn your bag inside out (ties on the inside) and smooth out the line of stitches you just made. Use clips to hold the seam in place (nylon tends to slip and doesn't like to be folded).

Sew TWO lines down this edge. The first should be just outside the previous seam allowance, enclosing the raw edges within the seam. The second line of stitches should be close to the edge and should pass through all four layers. Nylon frays very easily so this second set of stitches makes the bag more durable.

Turn the bag right side out (ties on the outside) and sew the bottom of the bag shut.

Again, turn the bag inside out (ties on the inside) and sew TWO lines of stitches just like before.

Turn the bag right side out (ties on the outside) and fold the bottom corners of the bag into a triangle.

Cut off 1.5" from each corner and sew the raw edges together. 

Turn the bag inside out (ties on the inside) and sew two lines of stitches over these newly created corners. Again, the first line should enclose the raw edges of the previous line of stitches while the second line should pass through all four layers. 

Close up of how the inside bottom of your bag should look.

Leave your bag inside out (ties on the inside) and fold the top edge down.

Fold the top down once more then clip into place. Sew one line of stitches all the way around the top of your bag.

Turn your bag right side out.

Tie small knots to the end of each tie.

Melt the raw edges of each tie by holding the them close to the flame of a small candle (not in the flame)

Tie the bag shut with a basic half knot. To clean, turn the bag inside out, shake out any crumbs then rinse with water. The bag should dry in just a couple hours when hung.