Plastic bags seem to multiply, even if you try to take fewer of them from stores. Make sure you reuse them; its easy when they're in a handy holder that matches your kitchen decor.
Tools and Materials
15-inch-wide dish towel (ours has a 1/2-inch hem)
Pins and scissors
10-inch strip of 3/4-inch twill tape
7 1/2-inch strip of 1/4-inch elastic;
1 1/2-inch safety pin
Plastic Bag Organizer How-To
Fold dish towel in half lengthwise, wrong side out; pin along the edge that's opposite the fold. Pin twill-tape ends to one open end to form hanger.
Sew a seam 7 inches from the folded edge to make a tube. Stitch twill tape in place.
(in photo: 1. Twill tape hanger, 2. Folded edge, 3. New seam)
Thread elastic through the towel's existing hem: Snip one small slit in the towel's hem. Flip tube over and repeat, making a second slit. Tie a large knot at one end of elastic; attach safety pin to other end. Slide safety pin through 1 slit, and ease through hem and out other slit. Tie elastic ends to gather. Turn bag right side out.
4. Snip line.
This is a nice looking plastic bag holder. For some of us that do not sew, may I suggest a large cardboard tube. You can glue a plastic cap or lid on one end, punch holes on both sides of the top, use grommets on the holes if you like, and attach a ribbon or string for a hanger The large plastic wrap container from the big box stores is a good size and already has a plastic cap on the end. You could also apply spray glue and cover the cardboard tube in fabric or paper to match your decor.
I made one of these when I saw it on Martha Stewart's web site a couple of years ago. At one point I decided to give it to my sister because I figured I could make another one and she really liked it. It was really easy to make but I lost the pattern and was hoping to come across it again, so thanks...
I made one when you had it online last year, I love it, have made many.. Thanks.
Very pretty idea. What I do is crunch the bags and stuff them into an empty tissue box. They are available just like a tissue! and I recycle the tissue box to something useful!
This was a very simple project to do. After sewing the seam, I trimmed the fabric and used the scraps to make simple handles to mathc. I will definitely used this idea to help get my family and friends organized. Thanks!
is fantastic for christmas gifts I am going start right now! very good GIFT!
can't wait to try this. far less bulky than the stainless simple human bin i have!
can't wait to try this. far less bulky than the stainless simple human bin i have!
I too have been using these for years. A good friend bought some at a bazaar and passed them out. I have passed them on, as well. Everyone wants to know if I came up with the idea and why didn't I make them commercially! I just sew up the side and run elastic around both ends, with a large key chain loop attached. Towels with fringe make especially pretty ones.
Cute idea - try as I might, we still end up with plastic bags! sometimes from produce, or that occasional shopping trip where I forgot my bags. Also, the newspaper still comes in a plastic bag, although now it's labeled as "recyclable" - and I tend to have trouble finding the right place to store them where it's handy and I will remember to take them to be recycled when I go shopping - definitely plan to make this!
Timewaster- Some of us use the plastic bags for cleaning out the litterbox, or as a small trashbag for a small wastebasket. Make sense? It's a great idea...better than the empty kleenex box I was stuffing them into. I use my reusable bags for shopping, library books and other less messy ventures.
We shop with reusable bags except for when we buy cat food. Then we save and reuse the plastic bags to carry the clumps of waste, from cleaning out the cat boxes, to the garbage. Then we recycle the bags after the waste has been dumped into the can ~ and all is picked up every Thursday! This will be a cute addition to the cat room.
Ummmmm . . . what about avoiding the collection og plastic bags all together by shopping with a reusable bag?
To Dinamm 11
You sew the entire length of the towel. The 7 inches is measured from the folded edge over, to make the new seam.
I don't understand why you only sew it 7 inches up the side. I am assuming that leaves about another 7-8 inches open on the upper part. Is this correct?
My grandmother made a similar item for me over 15 years ago and it's great!
Homegoods often has beautiful dishtowels; less pricey than Williams Sonoma...
Compliments to Martha Stewart Living staff. These directions and photographs are NICE and CLEAR. Great project for bags that can be pesky sometimes.
It can be made with any heavy fabric. Also, I use elastic on the top opening as well.
She said that its a dish towel. Maybe a store like William Sonoma would have prints like that.
does anyone know where can I buy that fabric? or a similar print?
i love that fabric!
cool idea!