If there’s one accessory that most everybody uses on a daily basis, it’s a bag. Women use handbags, men carry office bags, children use school bags. Perhaps one of the most understated commodity, off late environmentally friendly bags have come in vogue. As a whole, the world is stepping towards a greener and sustainable environment, and it’a time to throw out your plastic bags and usher in the more eco-friendly and also fashionable bags and be a part of this active change.
Instead of paying extra for plastic bags which were once a free service, shift to cotton, jute and paper bags. As malleable as plastic, they can be folded and carried around, as well as reused. Besides reducing litter and pollution, they are also easily accessible and can even be made at home from scrap material accumulating in your attic. Using old bedcovers and newspapers, be creative and go green.
Cloth bags
What you need:
A sheet of cloth; the size will be proportional to how big a bag you want to stitch
A sewing machine
Mmeasuring tape
Decorative accessories to glam up your bag
What to do:
Take a sheet and fold it in half. If the fabric is thin, you can fold it once again down the centre. This will be the size of the bag
Taking 2 cms of the edges, sew the corners with a running stitch, leaving one side open (for the mouth of the bag)
Once the three corners are done, take an long strip of cloth for the handles (the length will depend on how long you want the handle to be)
Make sure the length has 5 cms extra on either end
Position the handle such that it is 5 cms from the rim of the opening of the bag at the approximate centre of the length
Sew the handle on to the bag .
Turn the bag inside out; the bag handle should now look as if it has been attached inside the bag
You can paint, stick or stitch a design onto the bag to decorate it and you’re set for college.
Note:
If you want a sturdier bag, line the fold of the fabric with another piece of cloth. This was also provide a cushion for once you start using the bag
If you want a sturdier handle, you can use an old rubber gasket wrapped in cloth. You may even take multiple strips of cloth and stitch them to together
The entire process shouldn’t take longer than half an hour, If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can get the edges done at any tailoring shop.
The same procedure can be followed for making jute bags as well
Paper Bags
What you need:
Newspaper
a ruler
a pencil for marking
a pair of scissors
a tube of glue
What to do:
Cut a sheet of newspaper to 9.5 x 15 inches
Place the paper in front of you on a flat surface such that the long sides are on top and below while the short sides are on your left and right
Fold the bottom edge of the paper up to 2 inches and sharply crease the fold. When you are done, unfold. This will be the base of the bag
Now fold the sides of the sheet such that they meet and it glue at the intersecting point
Fold the side creases inward.
Refold the left and right sides downward and glue the bottom of the bag into place
Pop the bag open. Make sure the bottom is completely closed off and that there are no gaps in the glued edges.
Now add the handles and add decorations as desired. Your paper bag is ready to use.
Note:
You can use hand made paper or other patterned paper to make bags for gifting purposes
Make sure the glue is dried, otherwise the other edges will end up sticking haphazardly
A steady handle is required to hold the weight of the bag, a jute rope is appropriate as a paper bag handle instead of a satin ribbon or any fancy handles.
