Chicken Feed Tote Bags is a practical way to reuse your feed bags by turning them into tote bags!
We raise a lot of chickens. With a lot of chickens comes a lot of feed. With a lot of feed comes a lot of bags. Rather than just throw them all away, I use several of them and turn them into chicken feed tote bags.
These bags are great. They are super sturdy, can hold a lot, and are perfect for just about any task.
I own a sewing machine, but my sewing skills are really basic. If I can do this project, so can you!
I use chicken feed bags, but I've often eyed other bags that would also work, rabbit feed bags, goat feed bags....heck you could even use pig feed bags! Use whatever you have and whatever you think is cute!
To make Chicken Feed Bags
- Start with empty bags. (Okay, you probably could have figured this step all on your own!)
- Cut off bottom of bags.
- Wipe down outside of the bag. They will be dusty. That's just the nature of feed bags....they are dusty. Turn bags inside out and dust again!
- Decide what size you want your bags and cut off several inches off the bottom. I cut about 6 inches off my bags. Sew a ½ inch seam across the bottom. Sew a second seam ¼ inch from the bottom. Feed bags are tough and you want your bag to be just as tough.
- Make boxed corners. The boxed corners make a flat bottom and allows the bag to stand up on its own. This step for me is always tricky.
I feel like there's no way it's going to work and then all the sudden it folds just like it's supposed to.
I followed directions from the Chicken Community and she has really great step-by -step directions. I'll bet she is a seamstress! If you can't figure out what I'm talking about, because I'm not a seamstress....check out her tutorial!
3. Decide what size you want your bags and cut off several inches off the bottom. I cut about 6 inches off my bags. Sew a ½ inch seam across the bottom. Sew a second seam ¼ inch from the bottom. Feed bags are tough and you want your bag to be just as tough.
4. Make boxed corners. The boxed corners make a flat bottom and allows the bag to stand up on its own. This step for me is always tricky. I feel like there's no way it's going to work and then all the sudden it folds just like it's supposed to.
To make boxed corners, fold bag across diagonally (see picture below). The bottom seam is folded in half. You are looking for two large triangles. You will take the end of each of these triangles and sew a seam.
Once you've done the boxed corners, right side your bag. You are almost finished!
Fold down the top. I use clips to hold the fold in place. Sew a seam to hold top hem in place.
Position handles. I used webbing for the handles. I've also made the handles using the bottom portion of the bag I cut off. I like the feel of the webbing better, but both work just fine.
Position the handles on your bag. Since we want super strong handles, there are several steps. For this first stitch, the bags go down into the bag.
Fold top of bag down again and make another hem with machine.
Fold handles up and secure in place with machine. (see picture below)
I use my bags for just about everything. They make great beach bags, snack bags for the car for road trips, grocery bags, bags for hauling my stuff to school... If you need a bag, this fashionable chicken tote bag works!
If you have chickens, you might also enjoy reading
Free Range Chickens: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Raising Chickens Through the Winter
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Kathy, these are way beyond cute! I need to find someone who raises chickens so I can get some feed bags. I find these make the perfect beach bags....or for us. YMCA bags. We take the girls swimming almost every day to the local YMCA indoor pool and need quick-dry bags like these for stuff like wet towels and suits. Seriously, these are waaaaaayyy to cute.
Kathy says
These bags would be perfect for all your outings!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
ANOTHER reason I need to get chickens! You could sell these on Etsy - I would buy one for sure. 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Goodness! Talk about repurposing! This has to be the most creative thing I've seen on the interwebs in a long time!
Kathy says
Thanks, Rachelle! The bags are super handy once they are done!
Amanda says
I get cat food in really thick bags that look similar to this, so I'm tempted to try to make a bag out of that and display my cat love everywhere. These are just too cute. What a great idea!
Kathy says
Let me know if you try the cat food bag! I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
This is such a cool idea Kathy! I love that you are re-using the bags and making them into something useful (and cute!)
Kathy says
They are fun and cute!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
What a fun project, Kathy! Those bags are so handy to have around (and really sturdy) so will have to try this - I have a sewing machine that I never use and need an easy project to try. Bet the kid aprons are adorable.
Kathy says
Nothing but straight seams to sew! My kind of project!!!
David @ Spiced says
What a fun post, Kathy! We don't have chickens (although I'd love some!), but I am totally impressed with your creativity here. We use reusable bags around here all the time, and I love that you turned what would be trash into something useful. A+ on this one! 🙂
Kathy says
A+!!!! Woo hoo! Thanks!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
This is such a cute idea, Kathy! I don't have chicken feed bags, but I do have HUGE dog food bags... I wonder if that would work? LOVE your creativity, my dear! And I love that these bags are a cinch to make! Cheers, my friend!
Kathy says
I think a lot of different kind of feed bags would work. Our dog food bags are lined with a heavy brown paper and won't work. Look to see if yours are the tough Tyvek type of bags.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Dear Kathy, these are some of the most adorable bags I've seen, especially for someone who has a farm or loves chickens. Cute as a button and clever too. I could see this making it big time in a boutique. Hmmmm....I do sew and these are great, simple directions. Have a wonderful weekend! (what's left of it.)
Kathy says
I think you just found yourself a little hobby! At a farmer's market I saw someone with a whole stall with feed bags. They also made aprons from bags. The cutest ones were in kids' sizes.