Create less waste by making reusable produce bags for your fruits and veggies.
Create less waste by making reusable produce bags for your fruits and veggies.
Linda Permann
Begin by folding one short (top) edge under by about 1-1/2 inches. Place the yarn or string under the fold and fold the edge of the fold under again, by about 1/2 inch. Pin in place.
Linda Permann
Sew along the folded edges, being careful to keep the drawstring out of the way.
Linda Permann
Photo: Linda Permann 
The case for switching to reusable produce bags is easy. First, there's less waste. There's just no reason to be throwing away bags meant to contain your veggies just once. In fact, if I only have two or so apples, I often skip the bag and hope the cashiers don't hate me. Second, those filmy bags end up making your food go bad faster, especially when it's been sprayed to soaking in the produce department. Mesh will let them air out! And third, if you make your own version, you can make them colorful and fun. You can design your bags to the size that works for you. And you can use them over and over and over again—no more reaching up to the bag holders and trying to hold celery stalks in one hand while you struggle to open the correct end.
The best part about this project is that it's SO easy. And very affordable. Here's what you'll need:
- 1/2 yard mesh fabric (I found this for $1.49 a yard before my coupon, and you can get three or four bags out of half a yard)
- A few pieces of string or yarn (for drawstring)
- Sewing machine and thread
- Scissors
Start by cutting your piece of mesh to the size you wish. I designed these bags so that the fold of the mesh would fall at the bottom, since that part of the bag will bear most of the weight. A good size to start with is 12 inches x 30 inches. You can make your bags larger or smaller if you wish; just cut the piece roughly twice as long plus 3 inches more than you want it, times your desired width plus 1 inch.
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| Begin by folding one short (top) edge under by about 1-1/2 inches. Place the yarn or string under the fold and fold the edge of the fold under again, by about 1/2 inch. Pin in place. |
Repeat on the other end of the bag, making sure both drawstring casings are on the same side of the fabric piece.
Note: Don't go to too much trouble pinning this in place, as the pins are just a bit tricky with mesh. As long as you've got the first one in, you can just hold the mesh in place as you sew.
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| Sew along the folded edges, being careful to keep the drawstring out of the way.
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I started and ended each sewing line with about an inch of back-and-forth zigzags, then used a short straight stitch for the bulk of the seam. It was key for my machine that the edge be folded; otherwise there was not enough fabric for it to grab. If you are having trouble, you can also sandwich a ribbon between the mesh and then sew your seam.
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| Sew down the side seams, beginning and ending with a zigzag stitch. |
 | | This step is optional, but I pinked the edges for fun. |
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| Turn the bag inside out. Hold the ends of each drawstring together and tie each one in a knot. Trim the string ends. |
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| Voila! You're done—yes, it's that easy. Make several for yourself and, if you have time, as gifts for friends. |
These bags are light as air, so you don't need to worry about them driving up your produce costs. And, for the curious, you can either handwash these or wash them in cold (maybe inside of a lingerie bag, just in case). With all that capacity for airing out, though, I doubt they'll need to be washed frequently.
If you make these bags, please be sure to share your pics with us in the gallery!
See more of my projects on my personal blog, and look for my new book, Crochet Adorned, in stores August 11, 2009.
Tags: Frugal Eco Living
