Slouchy Market Bag with Veggie Prints – Free Pattern

This slouchy market tote is perfect for farmers market trips, pool days, and everyday errands. Made from muslin stamped with real vegetables, this slouchy bag is quick to sew using my free pattern.

I recently made myself a new summer bag with trips to the farmers market in mind. Roomy enough to hold all the fresh produce I might bring home, lightweight so it’s easy to carry, and perfectly slouchy for a laid back summer style. It would also be great for bringing a book and a snack to the park or pool.

The knotted strap looks a little like a bow, don’t you think?

I’ve got a free sewing pattern for you below.

And if you’re loving that fabric on my bag, I have both good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that you can’t buy it anywhere. The good news is that you can make it yourself — and it’s surprisingly easy. No special tools required, just a few supplies from the craft store and the grocery store.

Yes, the grocery store.

That circular print that looks a little like tree rings? It’s actually made from an artichoke cut in half and used as a stamp. The stem even worked as a handle, which felt very convenient.

The bag is made from simple muslin fabric for both the outer bag and lining, which gives it a lightweight, carefree feel that’s perfect for summer. Don’t overlook muslin just because it’s usually considered a utility fabric. The soft natural color and airy weight are perfect for casual bags like this.

Once your stamped fabric is ready, the tote comes together quickly with just one pattern piece and a few simple steps. The finished bag measures approximately 18” wide x 11½” tall with 5” boxed corners. The straps have roughly a 9″ drop.

I do love a slouchy bag! I’ve also made them from upcycled sweatshirts, for a comfier cozier look. You can find my DIY sweatshirt bag tutorial here.

Supplies

2 yards muslin – This is enough to cut both the Outer and the Lining bag pieces. If you want to skip the vegetable stamping and just use regular quilting cotton prints, you’ll need 1 yard for the Outer and 1 yard for the Lining.

Vegetables (or Fruits) – Get creative with this! Think about shapes and lines created when you cut into the produce. I used an artichoke to create the design in my example. But shallots, Brussels sprouts, celery, okra, even cabbage leaves will make pretty prints. Or how about fruits? Lemons and oranges make nice designs, too.

Acrylic paint

Foam paint brush

Free sewing pattern – Slouchy Market Bag

Prep the Produce

Now cut your produce! The direction you cut will create different designs. For my artichoke design I cut it in half horizontally to get concentric circles. But if I had cut in half vertically I would have gotten a different design.

If you’re using citrus fruits, you’ll need to section your fruit to remove the pulp.

Once your produce is cut, stamp it on to paper towels to get out as much moisture as possible. The drier your produce is, the better the stamped image will be

Prep the Fabric

Cut the pattern pieces from your fabric before stamping. This will let you have more control over how your stamped designs are placed on your bag. Plus you won’t waste time stamping fabric that will just end up as scrap.

The Outer and the Lining pieces are both cut from muslin fabric. The Outer bag pieces will get stamped, but the Lining pieces will remain plain.

Stamp the Fabric

I like to do some test runs first, stamping on to paper first just to see how the produce will stamp before committing to stamping on my actual fabric.

I find I get better detail on my stamped images if I’ve got kind of a squishy surface underneath my fabric when stamping. A folded up beach towel works wonderfully for this. Fold it into quarters so you have 4 layers of towel, smoothing out any wrinkles or lumpy spots.

Cover your towel with old newspaper so it doesn’t get paint on it.

Place one of your Outer bag pieces down on to the newspaper. Then use your foam brush to dab paint on to the surface of the produce, then stamp on to your fabric.

In these photos, I’m stamping on to a fabric scrap instead of the actual pattern piece. You would use your actual Outer bag pieces.

Continue dabbing paint and stamping until your design is finished.

Repeat with remaining Outer bag piece.

When the paint is dry, iron your stamped fabric to set the paint.

Once you’ve got your Outer pieces stamped, you’re ready to sew your slouchy market bag!

All seam allowances are ½”. RST = Right Sides Together

Sew the Outer Bag

Place the Outer pieces RST.

Sew sides and bottom with ½” seam allowance.

Don’t sew the curved edges or the little notches in the corners.

Box the corners. Open up the corners and flatten so the raw edges are aligned and the side seams go down the middle. Sew along the raw edges.

Sew the Lining

Place the Lining pieces RST.

Sew sides and bottom with ½” seam allowance, leaving 3” open along bottom for a turning hole.

Don’t sew the curved edges or the little notches in the corners.

Box the corners. Open up the corners and flatten so the raw edges are aligned and the side seams go down the middle. Sew along the raw edges.

Assemble the Slouchy Market Bag

Place the Outer inside the Lining, RST. Sew around curved edges with ½” seam allowance.

Clip curves, then turn right side out.

Those straps are pretty long. You’ll probably need a point turner, dowel, or dull pencil to get all the way up into the ends to turn them.

Give it a good press, then top stitch around the top opening and straps close to the edge.

Press the seam allowances at the turning hole toward the inside, even with the sewn edges. Sew to close. For an invisible close, use a ladder stitch. I was lazy and just sewed on my machine with a 1/8” seam allowance. It’s just the lining, after all.

Tie the straps together at the top into a neat little knot.

Your Slouchy Market Bag is finished!

Isn’t this slouchy market bag AMAZING?! The use of the artichoke to make that cool print is blowing my mind! If you want more great bag tutorials from Anne, check out these: