Garbage Bag for the Car

I have wanted to make a hanging garbage bag for my van forever. What I have been doing for the past 5 years is hanging a plastic grocery bag off the arm of the driver's seat. The kids can't reach it though. I have tried to hang it between them but still the garbage doesn't make it in the bag. The big car seat makes it nearly impossible to reach around. So I have been either picking up their drink containers or they have been passing them to me when they are done. Not a great solution but I didn't have trash all over my van.

When Anjeanette did her EE Awareness post and talked about what she could make to share, she mentioned an embroidery hoop barf bag. She got me thinking with the embroidery hoop idea. So I have been thinking about how I wanted to put this together. This is what I came up with.

I am using a plastic table cloth. You could recycle an old one that has a tear and just cut out the good part. I had to go and buy one at the thrift store because I didn't save my torn table clothes. I am going to try not to use this as an excuse to save everything under the sun, just in case. I will be strong and only save what I have ideas for at the time. I think I can, I think I can. Anyway..... I purchased plastic embroidery hoops instead of wood because I want to be able to wash them off if I need to.

First of all you will need to measure the inside ring off the embroidery hoop. Then add about 1/4 inch for seam allowance. This will be the width you need for your bag. I decided that 20 inches was a nice length for my bag (the bottom edge will be rolled up twice to close it).

Take each piece and fold it right sides together and sew along the edge. You will have two tubes. Now turn one tube right side out. Place one inside the other with the wrong sides together.
I am using bias tape to cover the raw edges. Since the plastic is fairly thin I wanted to add some strength to the edge of my bag. Sew down the center of the tape. When you get near to where you started sewing cut your bias tape a little longer than needed. Fold the end under and sew to hide the raw edge of bias tape.

Here is the top of my bag. I did the same with the bottom of the bag. Do not sew the bottom of your bag closed at this point. Or I guess you could but then you wouldn't be able to use the neat trick I have planned.

Cut a length of bias tape to make your hanging strap. I sewed mine down the middle to hold it all together. I then sewed it to the inside rim of the back of my bag. I folded my strap up at a 45 degree angle so there is less stress on the stitching when I hang it. Be sure to go over the edges a couple of times to make sure y0ur stitching won't come undone as the bag is filled or in case your child pulls on it.

Now for the bottom of the bag.....

What you see here is Velcro with adhesive, both sides together. I have removed the backing on one side and stuck it to the front edge of the bottom. What you see is the backing to the second piece of Velcro. I like to keep the sides together like this while I am positioning it that way I am sure that they Velcro will line up with itself.

Remove the backing.Now roll it up one more time and press the Velcro into place.

Open up your Velcro and press to make sure you have a good bond. I decided to use the self stick Velcro because I wanted to sew through the plastic as little as possible. The neat thing about closing the bag like this is that you can just open up the bottom of the bag and shake out the trash or crumbs. Also when you want to wash out or rinse our the bag you can be sure to get it good and clean.

Now put the inner hoop inside the back and the outer hoop with the bolt at the back of the bag on the outside. I am placing mine about 2 inches below the rim of the bag. Tighten up the hoop.

Simply tie the bag around the head rest post of the front seat. Don't worry if the hoop is pressed on it simply goes flat against the car seat. I plan to make a second one for behind the driver's seat. That way each child can reach a garbage bag. My 5 year old really liked the idea and happily showed me that he could reach it. Also by having it hang on the post closest to the driver, I can easily put trash in it as well. I like that the hoop holds the bag open and that the hoop can be removed for cleaning.

Katrina

Anjeanette chiming in here...Katrina! I know I already told you this, but I love it!! And I love it even more in person. Such a great idea. I love everything about it.