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From the page: One curtain, a thousand lives

Idea 1

Lined ecobag in one afternoon

Easy 2 h

The lined cloth bag was born from the tradition of sewing with what you had at home: grandmothers and neighborhood seamstresses turned sheets and curtains into sturdy bags. The lining works because it doubles the thickness of the fabric, distributing the weight — twill or heavy cotton curtains become a firm base that carries groceries without giving way.

What you need

  • Old curtain (at least 60 cm of fabric for the body and the lining)
  • Sewing machine or a thick needle with strong thread
  • Scissors and pins
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Tailor's chalk or pencil

How to make it

  1. 1

    Cut two 40 x 45 cm rectangles from the curtain body and two identical ones for the lining — these measurements make a good-sized bag without wasting fabric.

  2. 2

    Sew the sides and bottom of each pair, right sides together (the prettier face) on the inside, so the seams end up hidden when you turn them out.

  3. 3

    Turn one piece right side out and slip it inside the other, with the pretty sides touching — this way the lining shows on the inside with a clean finish.

  4. 4

    Sew all the way around the opening, leaving about 8 cm open, and turn everything through this gap, pushing the corners out with your finger to mark them well.

  5. 5

    Close the opening with a straight stitch close to the edge, which holds the lining in place and doubles as a finish.

  6. 6

    For the handles, cut two 60 x 8 cm strips from the curtain itself, fold, sew along the length, and attach each one by reinforcing with an "X" of stitches at the bag's opening — the X distributes the weight and keeps the stitching from giving way with use.

Finishing touches

If the curtain has a pretty hem or ruffle, use them at the bag's opening for a charming detail with no effort. A straight seam at the bottom forming corners (a "square base") gives the ecobag a firm bottom for fruits and jars.

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