Bag Dispenser

No matter how eco-minded we have become, and even after switching over to cloth grocery bags, there is still a certain amount of plastic bags we have to live with. So it’s important to re-use them as much as possible. To store them, make a handy holder you can hang from a doorknob, hook, or any other convenient place. Take it a step further and make another bag in which to store rags! Push your bags or rags through the top and, when needed, pull them out through the bottom.

1. Cut a piece of fabric 18 x 20” (you can also substitute with a dish towel!).

2. Fold down ¼” along one of the shorter sides (18” side). Press. Fold down another ¾” and press again. Stitch, forming casing. Repeat for the other side.

3. Cut one piece of narrow elastic measuring 8”. Cut a second piece measuring 10”. Attach a safety pin to one of the ends of the elastic and feed the piece through the casing, tacking at each end to hold the elastic in place. Repeat with the second casing. Note: the side with the larger opening will be the top of the holder.

4. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together and matching the ends. Sew the seam with a ¼” seam allowance. Optional: if you wish, finish edge with an overcast stitch.

5. Cut a piece of fabric 2 x 15”. Fold in half, right sides together, and stitch seam, forming a long, narrow tube. Turn inside out, center seam, and press. Top-stitch ?” from edges.

6. Fold strap in half, wrong sides together. Tack onto back of dispenser, over the seam line. Turn the dispenser inside out.

This little dispenser is really quick and easy to sew assembly line style, and is a great gift for your non-sewing friends!