Plastic Bag Holder: Tutorial

It seems we are always buried under a pile of bags in the costume shop, what with all the fabric, clothing, and snack shopping.  For years we just shoved the bags between the fridge and the shelves, but recently have noticed them creeping out and encroaching upon the first hands' table and the path to the fridge.

Well, clearly we could no longer function with such clutter!  So, during our prep week, we created three bag holders to control the mess.  One for grocery-sized bags, one for the large Jo-Mar bags, and a third for...?  Well, good thing we have a third because the first two are already full!

Here is a tutorial for making the bags.  The entire project takes only half an hour and can use scraps left over from larger projects.

Enjoy!  And be sure to post your experiences if you try this, and any pictures if you've got them!

Materials:  1 22"x32" piece of fabric; 30" of 1/4" elastic; thread

1.  On each 22" side, fold down 1/2" to inside and press; fold down an additional 1" and press again.

2.  Unfold both pressed ends.

3.  Right side to right side, pin 2 long sides and sew with 1/4" seam allowance.

4.  Overlock seamed edge together.

5.  To make the casing for the elastics:  On ends, refold where you pressed in step 1, sew 3/4" from the folded edge and leave 1.5" open.

6.  Using a safety pin, thread a 15" piece of elastic through the casing of the top, a 10" piece of elastic through the casing of the bottom.

7.  Overlap and sew the ends of the elastics securely and flat.

8.  Sew the casings closed.

9.  Use the remaining elastic as a hanging loop:  Sew to inside back seam at the top.

Here is the finished product!  Congrats on finishing your first Shopbeat tutorial.