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Turn a dog food bag in to a tote.
How's this for recycling? This is my new super cute lunch bag made from a dog food bag. The material that this brand is packaged in is sort of like a woven vinyl. It's easy to clean and very durable. I hand stitched this model but in the future, I will make them on the machine (after I purchase a needle suitable for sewing denim).

Posted by Anita B. from Louisville, Kentucky, United States • Published See Anita B.'s 3 projects »
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  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 1
    Step 1

    My first step was acquire an empty dog food bag. Fortunately, I have a steady supply from friends and from my herd of three big dogs. Just wash it and let it air dry!

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 2
    Step 2

    Next, I needed a pattern. I got the inspiration from a magazine called "Sew It All" which is published by the editors of "Sew News." Both are awesome magazines that I highly recommend!

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 3
    Step 3

    Now, it's time to cut out the pieces!

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 4
    Step 4

    With right sides facing together,

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 5
    Step 5

    sew the bottom flap

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 6
    Step 6

    about 1/4 inch from the edge.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 7
    Step 7

    Now, sew the side seams together.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 8
    Step 8

    Once both side seams are sewn, it's time to construct the bottom.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 9
    Step 9

    Pull the corners so that the side seams match up to the bottom seam and sew together. First one side and then the other.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 10
    Step 10

    Now, the bag can be turned right side out.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 11
    Step 11

    Fold the top edge down 1/4 inch and stitch a hem all around the top...
    For the handles, you can use ribbon, yarn, beaded wire, etc.
    For mine, I used left over pieces from the dog food bag.

  • How to make a recycled tote. The Doggy Bag! - Step 12
    Step 12

    Voila'!!

    Conjured by Wicked Stitchcraft )O(

    Ta!

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Comments

Bat Ma'am
Bat Ma'am · Seattle, Washington, US · 13 projects
GENIUS! My rabbit's food comes in a cool bag like this with a super cute bunny on it xD I'm so doing this!
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
Oh, that would look awesome! Post a pic when you're done!
Reply
carolyn u.
carolyn u. · Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
? once you washed the cat food bag before making the final bag, do you have an issue with the cat food smell? I made one of these a few years back it was super cute and i used two different cf bags for the material. I was out and about the thing started smelling like the cat food that came in it.
Caro
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
I use Dawn dish washing liquid and that seems to kill the dog food smell.
Reply
Shannon W.
Shannon W. · Greenbrier, Tennessee, US · 1 project
I can't sew therefore I don't. I am going to try using some cool colored duct tape. THANKS FOR THE HOW TO!!!!!
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
Ooh, that sounds interesting! How did it work out?
Reply
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
Your cat food bag looks great, Scarlet! I have been given dog food bags, cat food bags, bird seed bags, and I'm waiting on a horse feed bag....these totes have really taken off at the 911 center where I work.
Reply
Scarlet-Begonias
Scarlet-Begonias · Everett, Washington, US · 15 projects
I have a cat food bag that has been kicking around that is just begging to be made into a tote bag...
Reply
EVEnl
EVEnl · Leidschenveen, Zuid-Holland, NL · 319 projects
Very clever! I have a cat but her food doesn't come in these big plastic bags... too bad, though I could always feed her dogfood I guess, nah!
Reply
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
I said I would make all future bags on the machine but the truth is, every single bag has been hand stitched. Once I started using a creaser to mark the template pieces and using a sharper embroidery needle to sew through the bag, it hasn't been rough on my hands at all. I now make them with liners and they have become very popular at work. Thanks everyone who put my project on your favorites list!
Reply
Kitty
Kitty · Okotoks, Alberta, CA · 18 projects
great way to recycle!
Reply
Anita B.
Anita B. · Louisville, Kentucky, US · 3 projects
Yea! Thanks to everyone who has "favorited" this project!
Reply
PIN-UP ^alex^
PIN-UP ^alex^ · 20 projects
haha thats exactly what crossed my mind, aww i wish i saw this before i threw away my dogs dog food bag :/, this is really cute Happy
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