Saving Dog Food Bags from the Trash: Upcycled Grocery Tote Bags

Volunteer puppy raisers for The Seeing Eye guide dog school go through many bags of Purina Pro Plan food every year. They're not easily recycled, so while we are working on that, we have started upcycling some of them into tote bags of various sizes. I've never made a how-to video before so apologies for my arm getting in the way sometimes and please feel free to speed through the parts you don't need!

[@lljl5310]

Adorable doggies! 😍😍😍😍

[@chandasmith3982]

These are a great project to make! I’ve seen local animal shelters use these when sending home adopted dogs! Great tutorial, thank you for posting it!!

[@sarahkuzma9]

You could turn bag inside out while stitching the straps on, and use the free arm of the sewing machine so it won't be so awkward to stitch. Love the tutorial! Thanks!! so glad I can repurpose my dog food bags :)

[@kathyweeks1827]

Best tutorial I've seen to make these bags. I especially like the way you did the handles and used clips. Thanks!

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Thanks Kathy! I’d love to see one you make❤️

[@lljl5310]

Wow!!!! SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@christinechristoffersen6256]

Thanks for your video. You did wonderful. Neatness doesn't count. It's a bag. Love these bags, I've wanted to attempt this. You make it look easy.

[@kal1347]

Estava pensando agora mesmo sobre o reuso dos sacos de ração e aparece esse vídeo incrível. Gratidão

[@arriedwiastuti]

Hi Fiona, thankyou for tutorial. I also make totebag from feed bag😊

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Can you share a picture?

[@maxinewebber881]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@aleeshak1167]

the staple step!! thank you!

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

Just found this today - interesting! It looks like sewing with that material is a real challenge. When I finally get an empty bag I want to try this; our dog is kinda spoiled and prefers homemade food, so he will probably not go through a bag of dry dog food very quickly. We've had him since late July and he hasn't finished a bag yet...so.......yah, it might be a minute or two before I get to try this. LOL

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Thanks for your comment- you might find your friends and neighbors with dogs will be more than happy to give you their bags! Enjoy your pup- they make the world better :)

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

@@fionamccaskie1426why I never thought of that is no mystery...I'm challenged that way. LOL Come to think of it, I can get all the bags I need from my sister, who raises Yorkies to sell. Sheesh, that's a DUH moment.

[@susanlbk]

Your dog isn't spoiled, it just wants real food and homade or raw is way better than store bought. Just make sure that your dog is getting enough of the B vitamins and calcium (powdered egg shells) for their weight in the homemade food.

[@Sue-ht3mx]

Thanks for video, tried to make but stitch is sloppy and loose at times. Any thoughts? Thinking it's to slippery? I've played with tension, have it on largest stitch and use a 14 gauge needle. My machine is not commercial but is heavy duty. Ever experienced this?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Hi Sue- yes I experienced all of those things. My Kenmore couldnt handle it no matter the thread, needle and tensions adjustments. i have two older machines that are also not commercial but were heavy duty enough to tolerate the "fabric". Ultimately playing with the bobbin tension and top tension led to the greatest success. Im sorry that doesnt really help address your specific machine but I'm just validating that I did have the same experience. ALSO, I made my peace with having stitches that were wobbly at times and uneven. I hope you can figure it out - please post a picture if you do!

[@fafoorita]

Another video the host had a special foot for that

[@fairweather3520]

What type and size of thread do you use? Thanks for sharing!

[@fionamccaskie1426]

after much experimentation, I found regular poly or poly/cotton holds up fine.

[@abagguff9395]

Fantastic tutorial Fiona! Do you give these away or sell them?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Both- we use them as a fundraiser for our county puppy raising club for The Seeing Eye. We raise puppies for the guide dog school- and go through a lot of dog food

[@lauraowen4933]

How wide do you cut the handles?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

I cut them 2.5" wide.

[@pleasepickupyourpoop6174]

Do you hand wash these or have you tried running them through the washer or dishwasher?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

I wipe down the “fabric” after its cut. If I’m ambitious and it’s warm outside I’ll dunk a stack of them in a plastic storage bin and then hose them down. And then hang the pieces over the deck railings until they’re dry. I’d love to see what you make!

[@pleasepickupyourpoop6174]

@@fionamccaskie1426 Thank-you!!!

[@Wudelfin]

I find the material is durable enough for washing, but i would not recommend machine drying.

[@dianeturner9503]

What are the finished dimensions of the bag?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Sorry- I don’t have this particular bag anymore. We tend to have 34lb bags although sometimes we have bigger ones- I usually max out the bag so there’s not much waste. The big ones can be used for beach towels etc while the smaller ones are better for groceries because of the weight.

[@aprilgrant7346]

Can you iron the bag?

[@fionamccaskie1426]

I tried to iron once on a low setting, under a tea towel to make the straps easier to sew-but didn’t find that it helped. I guess I was worried if I went any higher the “fabric” would melt.

[@devanste50]

Hey nice so any kind of thread right ? 🤔

[@fionamccaskie1426]

Yes- I just use regular thread. I tried to use a heavy duty thread early on but my Machine didn’t like it

[@donnakennedy3763]

​@@fionamccaskie1426 Hi, what kind/size needle did you use? I want to do this😁

[@kmccaskie]

@@donnakennedy3763 hi Donna- sorry for the delay getting back to you! Over the years I have experimented with many types and sizes of needles and thread and ultimately settled on on all purpose for both. I initially thought heavy duty would be better but it didnt seem to be. Please try it and please share what you make-- I would love to see it!

[@donnakennedy3763]

@@kmccaskie Thank you, i have to try this😁