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Sewing a bread bag with a viewing window: Quite sustainable!

07.09.2019 by Sabine Schmidt

Brötchenbeutel mit Sichtfenster nähen: Ganz schön nachhaltig!

Sew a bread roll bag with a viewing window: This is how beautiful sustainable sewing can be! The large, adjustable viewing window provides a great look inside the pretty drawstring bag!

Are you, like me, on the hunt for sustainable sewing ideas? Perhaps you are already familiar with my DIY dishcloths, the quick makeup remover pads with laundry bag, the pretty produce bags, or the beeswax food wrap? Perhaps you have already discovered my lovely bread bag sewn from a tea towel?! Then I now have a new tutorial for you on the topic of sewing for the environment! A practical bread roll bag with a clear plastic window. I know, I know (hee hee), this isn't completely plastic-free, of course. But when you buy bread rolls at the supermarket, the cashiers want to be able to see the contents at a glance. With your new bag, this works not only from one side but from two! How practical is THAT? :) You can simply toss your sustainable bread roll bag into the washing machine as needed. Just remember that only the fabric can be ironed. The plastic will melt if it comes into contact with the heat of an iron. ;) Sew a bread roll bag with a viewing window The base size of 27 x 40 cm results in a handmade bread roll bag measuring 25 x 37 cm, which holds approx. 8 bread rolls. By the way: You can also easily use tulle fabric* or pocket mesh* instead of the PVC film!

What you need for sewing

My tip: I recommend using a 3 cm wide bias tape for the drawstring. The tape is measured simply by folding the long sides toward the center, not folded completely together. When unfolded, this results in a width of approx. 5 cm. For the bag's fabric, you can use simple cotton fabrics, e.g., polka dot fabrics*, but linen also works very well for this project.

Here is what it looks like finished Sew a bread roll bag with a viewing window

Happy simple sewing, your Sabine Sew a bread roll bag with a viewing window

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew a bread roll bag with a window: picture tutorial

Step-by-step tutorial for a sustainable bread roll bag with clear vinyl as a window and a drawstring casing. A base size of 27 x 40 cm gives you a bag of 25 x 37 cm — enough for approx. 8 bread rolls.

  1. Step

    Prepare the fabric pieces

    Pin the two fabric pieces together with the edges aligned.

    Prepare the fabric pieces
  2. Step

    Mark the window

    Mark the window where you want it. It shouldn't be too close to the top or bottom edge.

    The straight sides of the window run at right angles to the grainline.

    Mark the window
  3. Step

    Cut out the window and cut the PVC film

    Cut out the windows.

    Use the cut-out fabric pieces as a template for the PVC film. Cut the film window with 1 cm seam allowance.

    Cut out the window and cut the PVC film
  4. Step

    Sew bias binding to the window

    Bind the windows with bias binding. Start on the wrong side of the fabric.

    Snip the bias binding up to just before the first fold so you can follow the curve of the window. Sew the bias binding on with a straight stitch of stitch length 2 max.

    Sew bias binding to the window
  5. Step

    Fold over and topstitch the bias binding

    Fold the bias binding around the fabric edge and edgestitch it from the right side with a straight stitch. This time you can use a slightly longer straight stitch.

  6. Step

    Topstitch the film window in place

    Place the film window under the cut-out and topstitch it from the right side with a straight stitch (a decorative stitch works too). Make sure the window doesn't shift.

    Topstitch the film window in place
  7. Step

    Hem the top opening of the bag

    Fold the fabric pieces at the top opening over twice by 1.5 cm each and stitch the hem with a straight stitch.

    You can also hem the bag after sewing it together if you prefer.

    Hem the top opening of the bag
  8. Step

    Hem the bias binding for the drawstring casing

    Fold the two bias binding pieces in twice by 1 cm and stitch the hem with a straight stitch.

    Once hemmed, the bias binding should be about 4 cm narrower than the bag piece.

    Hem the bias binding for the drawstring casing
  9. Step

    Attach the drawstring casing

    Use a disappearing marker to draw a line 5 cm from the top edge.

    Pin the hemmed bias binding centred along the line and edgestitch it on with a straight stitch. Repeat this step for the second fabric piece.

    Attach the drawstring casing
  10. Step

    Sew the bag together

    Pin the two bag pieces together with the edges aligned.

    Sew the sides and bottom together with a straight stitch and finish the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch (or an overlock stitch or overlock machine).

    Sew the bag together
  11. Step

    Thread the cord

    Thread the cord through both casings, first from one side, then from the opposite side. Done!

    Thread the cord

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.