How to Recycle an Old Sweater into a Plastic Bag Organizer

Jennifer Stern, contributor

8 users recommend

Now my plastic bags are neat and organized—hanging with the leash ready to go!

Jen Stern

Here is my unkempt drawer full of plastic grocery bags.

Jen Stern

Instead of the standard proclamation to "Go Green," I decided on a subtler hint!

 

Jen Stern

Now my plastic bags are neat and organized—hanging with the leash ready to go!

Photo: Jen Stern

Add Comment
Print

I have a collection of reusable bags I take to the grocery store, but every few trips I leave them at home in favor of the plastic bags at the store. I take those lucky bags with me when I walk the dog! The other day, I opened the drawer I keep them in to grab one to take on a sprint around the block and about five fell out onto the floor. I decided right then it was time to make an organizer to put them in. This project is a super win-win—I freed up a drawer in the kitchen for other stuff, I used a piece of sweater I had from a previous project, and last but not least, the plastic bags are now hanging in the mudroom with the leash, ready for action! You can make this project out of almost anything. I used a piece of sweater because I had it on hand. You could also use one of those reusable grocery bags that has gotten worn out (maybe it has a split seam), or an old T-shirt or scraps of fabric.

Here's what you'll need:

• A piece of sweater (or whatever you're using) that measures 10 inches wide x 22 inches long
• A 7-inch piece of elastic for the top opening
• A 5-inch piece of elastic for the bottom opening
• An 8-inch piece of elastic for the loop to hang your organizer from
• All-purpose thread
• A pile of plastic bags to stuff it with!

I decided to embroider on my piece of sweater before I cut it out. If you would like to embroider your fabric first and it has a nap (such as a sweater, towel, or fleece), check out my post on how to monogram fleece slippers for some tips.

Here's the first part of my grocery bag recycle message...I embroidered it down the side of my plastic bag organizer.

After embroidering your message, cut a rectangle measuring approximately 10 inches wide and 22 inches long. You can adjust the length of this to accommodate more or fewer bags.

I folded the piece of sweater in half to trim it to the right size. That way I'm sure my embroidered message is centered down the middle, opposite the seam.

Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch elastic. One needs to be 5 inches long (for the bottom end) and the other needs to be 7 inches for the top end of the organizer.

Cut two lengths of elastic— one 5 inches and the other 7 inches.

Pin the shorter elastic along the bottom edge. The ends of the elastic should be 1/4 inch from the side edges.

If you're working with a piece of felted wool that does not ravel, position the elastic so that about 1/4 inch of wool is peeking past the elastic.

Stretch the elastic to fit across the bottom end. Use a three-step zigzag to stitch the elastic to the wool.

The three-step zigzag will stretch with the elastic.

Here's how the bottom end looks after the elastic is sewn on. The elastic closes the end to make a nice small opening so you can get the bags out one at a time.

If you're working with a sweater or fabric that does ravel, fold the edge down to encase the elastic. Pin in place, making sure the sweater is wrapped snugly around the elastic.

Stretch the elastic to fit the end. Stitch right on top of the first row of the three-step zigzag to secure the elastic in place.

Repeat the steps above to attach the longer piece of elastic to the top edge.

Fold the organizer in half, right sides together, and stitch down the side edge.

The side seam should butt up against the ends of the elastic at the start and end.

Fold an 8-inch piece of elastic in half, and position it over the side seam. Tack in place to create a loop to hang the bag organizer from.

You can size the loop smaller if you are going to hang it on a hook. I might decide to hang mine from a doorknob, so I needed a longer loop.

To fill your bag orgainzer, tightly "ball up" each plastic bag individually. Stuff them into the top end (that's why the elastic is longer—to make it easier to get them in). When you need one of these bags for something, pluck one out of the bottom end!

I take these bags with me when I walk the dog, so I've hung my organizer with the leash...I'm so organized!

Add Comment Print

How to Make Button Embellishments for Shoes!  

Back to List

How to Turn Blah Buttons into Bodacious Buttons

Comments (6)

limonene writes: Great organizer! BTW, I have the same problem of needing plastic bags for dog duty but wanting to use cloth (reusable) bags for shopping. My solution is to pilfer the plastic bag recycling bin at the grocery store whenever I need more bags. That way, I can stay "green" and avoid using new plastic bags. Hope this tip helps.
Posted: 6:20 pm on July 16th

lisalady161 writes: I love it, I own cats but I use my bags for recycled soda bottles and small trash can liners. I have a bunch of bags that need a tidy home!
Posted: 5:25 pm on March 28th

JenniferStern writes: Thanks for the comments...and yes, the sleeve is perfect for this project (I used the front section, because that's what I had left!)
Posted: 7:57 pm on March 21st

hemidemisemiquaver writes: This is fantastic!
Posted: 6:44 pm on March 21st

trishpatsy02 writes: Sounds like the sleeve would be the perfect part of the sweater to use. Already in a tube shape, has a strechy part at the wrist, and is wider at the top. Just insert elastic at the top and put a strap to hang it with

Posted: 2:45 pm on March 21st

Tina_Hilton writes: Love the idea and your delightful use of embroidery on recycled wool. I use the plastic bags for kitty litter hygiene and will create one to wrangle my unmanageable bags.


Posted: 2:01 pm on March 21st

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.