How to Make a Capri Sun Bag

Back to School is just around the corner and I wanted to share this craft project with you guys.  If you have a sewing machine and can sew a straight line, you can totally make this fun Capri Sun Bag!  I do not pretend to be a seamstress, or know how to sew anything but a straight line. Straight lines can get you pretty far in the world of sewing if you ask me, or my family.  So far straight lines have gotten us pillows, curtain panels, and several crafts in between.

*Disclaimer* I do not pretend to be a seamstress or know how to sew anything but a straight line. Straight lines can get you pretty far in the world of sewing if you ask me, or my family.  So far straight lines have gotten us pillows, curtain panels, and several crafts in between.

This time my straight lines made a grocery bag.  Not just an ordinary grocery bag.  A grocery bag made out of Capri Sun Pouches; empty of course!  Did you know that you can not recycle a juice pouch?  They just sit in a landfill somewhere.  Since I am trying to teach my crew not to be wasteful, we are re-purposing those pouches into a nifty grocery bag.  Now, not only did we save pouches from a landfill, but we won’t need to use the bags from the store! Did I mention that it is super cute too?

How to Make a Capri Sun Bag

What you will need

• 42 Empty Juice Pouches (easier to do than you would think)
• Sewing machine
• Thread (of course)
• 1” – 2″ wide ribbon for handles

The best way to make sure the pouches have been thoroughly cleaned is to make a slit it the bottom and wash with dish soap! Then, Start by sewing two pouches together.  Overlap them just slightly and do a zig zag stitch the whole way down.

This is how you will sew all of the pouches together.  It is super simple.  I used this as a lesson to teach my daughter how to use the sewing machine.

This is what the seam will look like

Now, to put the Capri Sun bag together, you will need to assemble the different pieces. You will need the following…

• A Front (4 Pouches wide by 3 Pouches Tall )(12 total)
• A back (4 Pouches wide by 3 Pouches Tall) (12 total)
• 2 Sides (2 Pouches wide by 3 Pouches Tall) (6 for each) (12 total)
• A Bottom (2 Pouches by 3 Pouches) (6 total)

You can see all of the pieces above!

Now, for assembly.

Begin sewing each side to the bottom. Once they have been attached, the bag will look like the picture below

Now, this is the point where I goofed!  I should have sewn the handles on now, but did I?? NOPE!  I, unfortunately, waited until the bag was all finished, and it was a pain in the butt!  Don’t be like me!  Sew your handles on now you will thank me for my mistake later! 🙂

All you have to do is pin the 1″-2″ wide ribbon to the inside of the front and back panels.  Stitch in a square pattern to hold in place securely.

Back to what I did!

Once the handles are attached you will sew the sides together!  This is simple.

Final Capri Sun Bag

That is it you should now have a finished Capri Sun Bag!

So far I have heard the following perks to making my bag!

• It looks cute!
• The bag smells splendid (fruit punch I am guessing)
• It insulates well (bonus)
• It is sturdy!

So, start saving those pouches from the lunch boxes and make your grocery bag!