Steps in Making Chicken Feed Sack Tote

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Tips for great FEED BAG TOTES

• Thread starter NanaLantana
• Start date Oct 17, 2011

• #1

I make all my feed bags into totes, and take them out with me whenever I shop. Everybody loves them, and comments on them. Basically, I'm a recycler! I guess it would take a long time for those feed bags to break down in the landfill. So, here's some tips to make your own lovely tote bags: (the latter instructions are for people who know how to sew!)

Choose a good bag right from the start. Has to be made of the tarp fabric. Don't get a ripped one, or one with big paper stickers.

Pull the string to open it, don't hack it up with a knife! Or at least cut it nicely with scissors.

Dump it right away into your feed container. Don't use the bag as storage, as rolling it down wrecks the integrity of the bag.

Remove the bottom string as well. Turn the bag inside out.

Wash the bag with soapy water, rinse, hang to dry. I use my shampoo, but any nice soap will do. If using cat and dog food bags, more attention needs to be given to washing, as the oily residue stays in the bag if not well washed.

Cut off the little strip of perforated holes that the string went thru on the top and bottom.

Look at the bag, and decide what part of it you want for a picture on your tote.

Cut off about 5" of either the top or bottom for handles. Fold, turn, and stitch this into handles, cut into two.

Stitch the bottom of the bag, double seam. Cut a 2" square out of each corner of the bottom - fold cattie-corner, and stitch. These will form the flat bottom of the bag.

Fold over the top part of the bag hem, and stitch. Turn the bag right-side out. Stitch a little line at each side, top to bottom, framing the front and back of the tote, and causing the bag to have a good shape. Stitch a line on front and back at the bottom, forming a nice flat bottom. Stitch the handles in place, and you're done.

Now I understand that many of you don't sew - and you may not understand my instructions! Well, this is the best I can do - If you want to see bags made in this fashion, look at my page. I also sew bags for people, if you're interested in having me make them for you, follow the above instructions before the sewing, and send them to me.

I hope you have fun recycling, too!

• #2

Thank you for this information. I am going to try my hand at making some totes. I would like to make them to sell or give as gifts to some of my animal loving friends.

• #3

The better half uses burlap coffee bags to make tote bags from. She even made one to gather the eggs with. Our oldest rat works at a coffee roasting house when she isn't playing.

• Thread starter
• #4

Good! I hope we see more feed bag totes out there in the world! I heard that the grocery stores are planning to charge for bags, so we've got to be resourceful as the economy is a bit difficult. Let me know how yours turn out!

• #5

I found out a friend of mine has lots of the pink Omolene feed bags. He is going to be my supplier for those!

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• #6

I make them out of all kinds of tarp-fabric bags - birdseed, BOSS, cat food, dog food, chicken scratch, laying crumbles, etc. I especially like the 25 lb bags, they come out a good size. And many of those bags have nice pictures on them.

• #7

I prefer to use a serger on the bottom of the bag. Makes the seems stronger & I feel the process goes quicker. Just wish I could find a way to serge on the handles!

• #8

Good idea using the serger. Do you line your bags.

• #9

Thanks for this! I'm going to try..Any advice on thread or should anything work? I haven't ever used that type of material, but have lots of empty feed bags! I have a lower end Singer and an OLLLLLLDDDD Sewmor, but I'm very new to sewing.

• #10

I don't line my bags, figure they are easier to clean not being lined. We use most of the bags to tote things around the farm-- so you can imagine how gross they can get!

I have also used them as gift bags. I cute cat or horse bag stuffed with tissue paper holds a large gift nice. Now I am collecting deer corn bags-- will be great for "man" gifts.

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Source: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tips-for-great-feed-bag-totes.586326/

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