Projects

Eco-Friendly Rolling Shopping Bag

Created By:

Regena Carlevaro & Terry Aruta - Janome Educators

Skill Level: Beginner

If you yearn for the days when you used your child’s stroller for Christmas Shopping, this project is for you! Create this roomy, sturdy, statement bag and put in on wheels for easy transport of your multiple purchases. Additionally, you will be able to keep your items secure with the zippered pocket and drawstring closure. Get sewing and then on to shopping!

You can download the design or create your own fun statement using Digitizer MBX software. The design is sized for GR hoop, which is compatible with the 12000 and 15000. Or, reduce the size of the design in Digitizer to accommodate your embroidery machine.

If you don’t own an embroidery machine, don’t let that stop you from creating this great bag. Create an applique or pick a fun print fabric for the pocket.

Janome Supplies Required


For embroidery -

  • Janome Sewing/Embroidery machine
  • GR Hoop or applicable hoop if reducing design
  • Digitizer MBX V.4 (if creating or reducing design)
  • Embroidery foot P
  • Red Tip needle #14
  • Prewound bobbin
  • Bag Embroidery File - Click Here to Download

For sewing -

  • Janome Sewing machine
  • Janome Serger
  • AcuFeed or Even Feed foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Overcast foot C (optional)
  • Denim needle #16
  • Empty bobbin
     
Fabric and Notions Required

Fabric/Notions Required:
For embroidery-

  • Cutaway stabilizer
  • Embroidery thread

For sewing -

  • 1 ½ yds. denim or heavyweight fabric
  • ¼ yd. medium weight fusible interfacing
  • 12” square of heavy weight purse stabilizer (Timtex)
  • 14” zipper
  • 2 ½ yds. cording
  • ¾ yd. sew-in Velcro
  • 12 Grommets
  • Cord stop
  • All purpose sewing thread
  • Fabric marking pen/chalk
  • Point turner
  • Pins
  • Folding luggage rack - You can find one in a lot of department stores, but this is the one that we used.
Instructions

Embroidered Pocket

  1. Convert machine to Embroidery Mode.
  2. Attach Embroidery foot P.
  3. Insert Red Tip needle #14.
  4. Thread bobbin with prewound bobbin.
  5. Import design into machine, download design here.
  6. Center and hoop a 14” X 17” piece of fabric with stabilizer underneath, in the appropriately sized embroidery hoop.
  7. Attach embroidery hoop to embroidery arm and begin to embroider, using recommended thread colors or thread colors that coordinate with your fabric choice.
  8. When complete, remove fabric from hoop. Trim away excess stabilizer and jump threads.

Fabric Prep
From the remaining fabric, cut:

  • One 27” length, across the width of fabric. This will be the bag fabric.
  • Two 12” square blocks - bottom of bag
  • Two 10” X 12” blocks - large bottom straps
  • Two 3” X 6” blocks - small top straps

From medium weight interfacing, cut:

  • Three 1 ½” strips across width

From heavy weight stabilizer, cut:

  • 12” X 12” square

Attaching the Pocket

  1. Keeping the design centered, trim embroidered fabric to a 13” X 16” rectangle. This will be your pocket.
  2. Using a serger, sew around the four sides of the pocket to finish the fabric edge.
    Note: For finishing the raw edge of the fabric and seams, the directions will refer to a serger. Another option is to use Overcast foot C and select a zigzag or overcast stitch on your sewing machine.
  3. Fold top pocket edge under ½” and press.
  4. Attach Zipper foot.
  5. Pin the left side of zipper tape to the folded top of the pocket, keeping a 1/8” space between fabric and zipper teeth.
  6. Align the right side of the foot with the folded edge. Sew down the length of fabric, stopping approximately 5/8” from the end of the fabric.

     
  7. Serge the top and bottom cut edge of the 27” X WOF bag fabric.
  8. Fold the bag fabric in half, selvedges together. Mark the center of the fabric.
  9. Lay the pocket, upside down, wrong side up on the center mark of the bag fabric.
  10. Keeping it centered, move the pocket fabric up so that the unsewn side of zipper tape is placed 7” from the top edge of the bag fabric. Pin in place.

     
  11. Sew the edge of the zipper tape to the bag, starting at the top of the zipper. Stop sewing at the same stopping point on the other side of the zipper tape.
  12. Fold the remaining three sides of the pocket under ½”. Press.
  13. Press the zipper tape under as well.
  14. Fold the pocket right side up. Pin the pocket to the bag.

     
  15. Attach Even Feed or Acufeed foot.
  16. Edge stitch the pocket in place on the three remaining sides of pocket, including the zipper tape at each end of the zipper.
  17.  When sewing is complete, open the zipper and trim the remaining zipper tape at the end of the zipper.

Attaching Velcro Straps

  1. Place the bag fabric on the table, with the selvedge edges facing up. Align the selvedges together in the center of the fabric. Using the pocket as a reference, find the bottom of the bag.
  2. At the bottom of the bag, measure over 4” from the selvedge edge. Mark a 10” vertical line from the bottom of the bag. Measure over ¾” and mark another line.
  3. Repeat on the other selvedge edge.
  4. Along the 10” side of the 10” X 12” block, fold in half, right sides together. The folded block will measure 6” X 10”.
  5. With a ½” seam allowance, sew around the three sides, keeping a 1 ½” opening to turn inside out.

     
  6. Clip corners and turn right side out.

     
  7. Use a point turner to push the corners out. Press opening closed.
  8. Repeat with other 10” X 12” block.
  9. Cut a 9 ½” length of Velcro. Pin hook tape to one of the 10” sides of fabric.
  10. Flip fabric over and pin loop tape to opposite side of rectangle.

     
  11. Sew all four sides of the Velcro in place.

     
  12. Repeat attaching Velcro to other rectangle.
  13. Place both rectangle fabrics on the table, with the hook tape facing up.
  14. Find the center of the rectangle and draw a line ¼” down each side of the center. The lines will be parallel with the Velcro. Repeat on the other rectangle.

     
  15. Pin the rectangle fabrics to the back of the bag fabric, one on each side of the selvedge. Align the markings on strap fabric to the markings on the bag fabric.
  16. Line up the needle with the line on the rectangle fabric. Sew down the length of the line, stop with the needle down and pivot. Sew over to the next line, stop and pivot again.
  17. Sew up the other side of the line, once again lining up the needle with the marking on the fabric.
  18. When you reach the end, stop and pivot. Sew until your stitch meets up with the beginning stitches. When complete, you will have sewn a rectangle shape. This will be more secure than just a straight stitch down the middle of the rectangle fabric.
  19. Repeat steps 16 - 18 on the other strap fabric.
  20. Repeat steps 5 - 14 with the 3” X 6” fabric blocks. You will need to cut 2” strips of Velcro for attaching to each strap.
  21. When complete, these straps will be need to be sewn to the back of the bag, 3” from the top and 4” from the selvedge edge. 

Sewing Bag Together

  1. Line up both selvedges together, right sides together.
  2. Using your serger, sew the fabric together, trimming off the selvedges.
  3. Press the seam toward the side.
  4. Layer the 12” square fabric, right sides out, with the 12” square heavy weight stabilizer in the center.
  5. Sew a ¼” seam allowance around the perimeter of the square.
  6. At the bottom of the bag, mark the center front.
  7. With the bag turned inside out, pin the center front of the bag to the center of one of the 12” block sides. Only pin to the corners.
  8. Now pin the one seam in the back of the bag to the center of the opposite side of the 12” block. Again, only pin to the corners.
  9. Starting a ½" in from the corner, sew a ½” seam allowance, attaching the front of the bag to the bottom square. Stop and back stitch ½” from the corner. Clip the bag fabric at the corners.

     
  10. Repeat on the back of the bag.
  11. In order to make the sides of the bag fit the 12” length of the remaining sides of the square bottom, you will need to create tucks in the fabric.
  12. Start pinning at the corners and move toward the center of the block. Fold and tuck the fabric, so that there are even sized tucks on each side of the center. Pin in place. Repeat on the opposite side.




     
  13. Start sewing at the corner, lining up the needle with the stitches previously sewn.



    When you reach the end, back stitch at the corner, meeting up the stitches with those previously sewn.
  14. Repeat on the opposite side of the bottom square.
  15. Trim the corners. Use the serger to finish the seam allowances.
  16. Fold down the top of the bag to the inside, creating a 1 ¼” hem.
  17. Sew around the hem, close to the serged edge of the fabric.

Attaching Grommets and Finishing

  1. Mark the fabric where you will attach the grommets. Keep the grommets evenly spaced apart. Also make sure to use an even number of grommets in order to correctly weave the cording through the holes.
  2. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply grommets to fabric.
  3. Starting at the center back of the bag, insert the cording.
  4. Weave the cording in and out of the grommets until you have come full circle.
  5. Pull the cording through so that there is an even amount of cording pull through each of the back two grommets.
  6. Feed the cording through a cord stop.
  7. Tie the ends of the cording into a knot.
  8. Extend the handle on the rolling luggage cart. Attach the top and bottom Velcro straps to the handle.
  9. Now it’s time to go shopping!

 

Everyone is Talking about Eco-Friendly Rolling Shopping Bag
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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