• Home
  • Classes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Sewing Resources
  • Free Tutorials

Chicken Feed Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial

1/6/2015

12 Comments

 
Picture
With more and more people raising backyard chickens each year, I bet that some of you out there have chicken feed bags leftover from your free-ranging egg machines. There is often some beautiful artwork on feed bags--no need to throw that plastic bag away! You can make a tote bag in a short period of time with a few simple sewing supplies. 

Here is how I made this one for a friend.
First, cut the bottom off of your feed bag.
Picture
Picture
Cut two equal strips from the top of the feed bag. I cut 5" wide strips, but you can decide how thick your straps will be, as well as how much of the bag's graphics you want to sacrifice to the straps. Open up the 5" wide loop at one end so you have one long piece. I trimmed mine to a final strap length of 5" x 34" (I like to sling totes over my shoulder, and I find this length works well to do that). 
Go back with a ruler and rotary cutter to even off the end, aligning with text or other graphics on the feed bag.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Fold the strip lengthwise in half, finger-pressing a crease in place.
Picture
Open up the piece, and fold the edges each in halfway, edges meeting at the center crease you just made.
Picture
Fold up the strap so that the raw edges of the long sides are now enclosed. DO NOT USE PINS. Clothespins or binder clips work really well to hold this material in place when you are ready to sew with it. Pins will leave irreparable holes.
Picture
Edge stitch both sides of the strap with a seam allowance between 1/8"--1/4". Repeat with the second strap. There is no need to finish the raw edges as it is plastic, and will not fray.

Sewing tip: you may need to gently tug on the material from the far side of your machine to get it to run smoothly. Pushing from the front doesn't seem as helpful, but maintaining even pressure (not too much!) from both sides will give you a smoother seam.

Picture
A machine needle used for garments or quilting cottons is not strong enough to handle this fabric. I recommend using a Denim needle, or a size of at least 16/100. The above photo is from a needle multi-pack--the needle shown is a heavy duty one, good for this project.
Picture
Turn the bag inside out. With a 1/2" seam allowance, sew the bottom closed. Then cut a 2.5" square notch from each of the two bottom corners to make a bottom box pleat (you may skip this step if you don't want a flat-bottom tote).

Open up the cut-away area and match the bottom seam with the side crease (not shown). Sew closed with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Picture
A finished box pleat.
Picture
Fold over the top edge of the bag by about 1/2" and sew a hem with a 1/4" seam allowance. You can make a bigger/smaller hem to preserve artwork on the front of your bag--it's completely up to you. No need for a double-roll hem because this is not going to fray.
Picture
Attach your handles wherever they are going to be most comfortable for you. I made a square that measures 1"x1" and went over it 2-3 times for durability. Placement of handles depends on the size of the bag. My finished tote is about 21" wide by 18" tall (32" tall with the handles), and I spaced my handles 4" in from the sides.
Picture
Picture
Congratulations! You saved a plastic bag from the trash, and have a handy new tote bag too. This is what I'm now calling Sustainable Sewing. Look for more sewing tutorials here soon. I would love to hear from you and see pictures if you make a feed bag tote using this tutorial!
12 Comments
Jean Conwell
1/6/2015 03:32:31 am

Excellent presentation,photos and directions

Reply
Karen Katin
1/6/2015 08:13:20 am

Thank you so much Jean!

Reply
Heather Shuker link
1/6/2015 03:47:38 am

This post makes me want to sew AND raise chickens.

Reply
Karen Katin
1/6/2015 08:14:28 am

What a compliment! I kind of want to raise chickens too, but for now I live vicariously through our fabulous CSA farm.

Reply
Emily
1/15/2015 06:04:56 am

I think this is the neatest re-use of "trash" that I have seen yet. Now I just need to find a cute feed bag to use to make myself one.

Reply
Karen Katin
1/16/2015 05:25:42 am

I'm sure you can find one living on a farm!

Reply
linda thompson
4/23/2016 08:23:45 am

what size thread did you use for this project?

Reply
Karen Katin
5/2/2016 01:12:37 pm

Linda--regular 100% poly Gutterman thread.

Reply
Katrina Johnson
7/9/2019 01:21:31 pm

Have you done a lined one? I have seen them, but can't find a good tutorial or instructions.

Reply
Sue Jenkins link
8/7/2019 08:47:19 pm

Some people are making these and selling them I received mine as a present and I have had it a year now..!!

Reply
Stacey
1/13/2020 09:44:41 am

I’m struggling with the straps. Every time I attempt to sew them on the thread bunches up underneath. Any suggestions

Reply
Walter Parsons link
12/6/2020 09:11:13 pm

Nice blog you havee

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Karen Katin

    As co-owner of Stitchery in Portsmouth, RI, I teach sewing classes to children and adults. Welcome to my blog Dancing Threads RI. 

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Instagram

    Archives

    March 2020
    September 2017
    August 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Background
    Blog Reading
    Books
    Creative Business
    Crochet Bag
    Eco Friendly
    Embroidery
    Events
    Fabric Stores
    Family
    Gift
    Handmade Wardrobe
    Holiday
    How I Do What I Do
    Knitting Bag
    Knitting Inspiration
    Lil Rhody Bag
    Memademay
    Mother's Day Gift
    Parties
    Pattern Review
    Pattern Support Links
    Personal Projects
    Plastic Swap
    Product Feature
    Project Bag
    Quilt
    Selfish Sewing
    Sewing
    Sewing Classes
    Sewing Fail
    Sewing Inspiration
    Sewing Patterns
    Sewing Resources
    Sewing Tips
    Sewing Tools
    Sewing Tutorial
    Sustainable Sewing
    Three Things To Smile
    Wedding
    Work In Progress

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Classes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Sewing Resources
  • Free Tutorials