DIY: Plastic Bag Origami…

Today, my little DIY is a storage solution for plastic bags.  Now, before I jump into the tutorial, I want to say that I do indeed attempt to take my re-usable cloth shopping bags with me whenever I go shopping. But, and I hope I’m not alone here, there are times when I’m out and unexpectedly find myself making a purchase and I do not have my eco bags at hand.  Over the years I’ve ended up with a lot of bags that I reuse for cat litter collection.  Our city bylaws require that we double bag used cat litter so I still find myself using plastic bags for this purpose.  I was feeling a little overrun with bags recently, and discovered this nifty method of folding bags into tidy little packages.   Just a few easy steps, as outlined below.
DIY, tutorial, folded plastic bag
 1.  Lay plastic bag out flat.
2. Fold bag in half lengthwise.
3. Fold in half lengthwise again.
4. Beginning at bottom of bag, fold into triangular shape.

 

DIY, tutorial, folded plastic bag
  5.  Continue folding bag into triangles until you reach the top of the bag.
6.  Fold the handles of the bag downwards in half.
7.  Fold the handles in half again.
8.  Tuck the folded handles of the bag into the triangle.
DIY, tutorial, folded plastic bag
9.  There you have it.  A neatly folded bag that can be tucked into your purse, car glove box, even a pocket.
10.  I may even keep some handy by the back door in this lovely little basket.
And below,  a visual that shows just how much space you can save with this handy folding technique.
Pretty significant, yes?
Linking up with:
Jann of Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday

20 Comments

  • Reply Val Sparkle April 11, 2013 at 6:20 am

    That is a neat idea, if I can take the time to fold up some plastic bags!

  • Reply Flo April 11, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Pretty clever! I should do this, perhaps I will with any that come in to my door from now on. I'll just use up the mess in the meantime LOL

  • Reply Shirl April 11, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Excellent organizational tip. I love your thorough directions. Thanks for sharing.

    Shirl

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 11, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    It goes pretty quickly I found.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 11, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    That makes good sense Flo.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 11, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Thanks Shirl.

  • Reply Megan April 12, 2013 at 4:58 am

    Very cool! We keep all of our plastic bags for scooping the litter box, and this would be a great way to keep them tidy 🙂

  • Reply DJAjewels April 12, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Great idea … thanks for sharing!
    Irene

  • Reply dan April 12, 2013 at 8:32 am

    I wonder if the cats appreciate your folding tecnique!

  • Reply shopwithpippa.com April 12, 2013 at 8:52 am

    Great idea Sue …. I hate what a mess all the bags make!

    pippa

  • Reply Renae at simple sequins April 12, 2013 at 10:38 am

    OMyGosh! This is a hilarious post. I let out a huge laugh all the way through it. I thought what is this fashion blogger up to now with a dang diy. (ps. I don't do diy stuff hardly ever) so I was really cracking up with the photos of the cats being perplexed. Thank you Sue for the great idea and the great laugh! hahahahahahaha. And …and …glad you loved the turquoise sandals, too. They are wonderful, huh? ya.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Ha Ha. I like to think I am a half fashion blogger, not to be confused with a half-***ed fashion blogger. Yes, it makes for a random blog, but that's me! 🙂

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 12, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Probably not, but anything new on the floor is considered of interest to them.

  • Reply Silhouette de Femme April 13, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    I will have to show this post to my MIL as this is what she does when she visits!
    p.s.
    Alexandra found the Betsy Johnson dress on the “Staff Picks” rack as that is where she heads to when we enter the boutique….I go directly to the “Clearance” section lol
    Denise

  • Reply Anonymous April 16, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I love this idea!

    ella

  • Reply Jann Olson April 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Now who on earth was so clever to come up with this idea? I have been tying my bags in a loose knot and that really helps too. Your idea is much more creative! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Definately the cats meow! Hee-hee
    hugs,
    Jann

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 16, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Ella, thanks for commenting!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas April 16, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Hey Jann, I felt a bit bad that I could not find the blog where I had seen this months ago. I do remember that it was someone that lived in Hawaii, the post was old, and the blog was retired. Mahalo to whoever you are. Yes, the cats meow for sure, like everything else that ends up on the floor.

    Sue xo

  • Reply Claire Justine April 23, 2013 at 4:14 am

    Great idea they look so tidy too, off to try this with mine 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us at Creative Mondays and thanks so much for the lovely comment 🙂

  • Reply Oli October 2, 2022 at 1:44 pm

    Omg this is exactly what I was looking for when I needed to make room for all these plastic bags in my drawer!

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