How To Make & Use a Seed-Sprouting Bag

Sprouted seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition. You can add seeds to sandwiches and salads, chop them up into dips, or just eat them by the handful.

While they are easily bought in most grocery stores, growing your own will offer you a less expensive, healthier, and more satisfying sprout experience.

There are quite a few methods for growing your own sprouts, but I have found the bag method the best by far. You can spend $15 or more on a sprouting bag, or you can make your own for a few dollars - or less if you already have some fabric on hand that you can use.

What you'll need to make the sprouting bag:

* 1/4 yard or so of natural fiber fabric (cotton or hemp are recommended)
* 1/2 yard or so of ribbon, twill tape, or twine for a drawstring
* sewing thread (to match your fabric if you like)
* scissors
* sewing pins
* sewing machine
* buttonhole attachment for your sewing machine
* tailor's chalk or something else to mark fabric
* seam ripper
* tapestry needle or safety pin
* cigarette lighter or match (optional)

What you'll need to use the sprouting bag:

* seeds intended for sprouting (varieties are practically endless, see step 5 for ideas)
* clean water
* bowl large enough to rinse your finished sprouts
* container to store sprouts in

Step 1: Cut Fabric, Pin & Sew Hem

Decide how big you want your bag to be when it's finished. Mine are 6-1/2 inches wide by 8 inches tall. I start with about 1 tablespoon of alfalfa seed in the bag, and end up with about 1-1/2 to 2 cups of sprouts, and this bag is big enough for that.

Add 1-1/4 inches to the desired height of your bag and 1/2 inch to the desired width of your bag, then multiply the width by 2. (8 inches tall + 1-1/4 inches = 9-1/4 inches; 6-1/2 inches wide + 1/2 inch x 2 = 14 inches.) This will be the size to cut your fabric. I like to make one of the long edges the selvage of the fabric. (The selvage is the edge of a woven fabric that is finished to avoid fraying.) Cut the fabric rectangle.

If you are not using the selvage edge, use the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to "seal" the long edge of the fabric that will be the top opening of your bag. Now, with the wrong side of the fabric facing you, turn down 1-1/4 inches of the long edge (the selvage if you're using it or the zigzag finished edge if not) and pin in place. Using a straight stitch, and remembering to reverse a few stitches at each end of the seam, sew very close to your finished edge, removing pins as you come to them.

Comments

[firefly68]

Thanks! The bags are so ridiculously expensive. I figured I could make one but didn't know how to use it, so I really appreciate the instructions. Sprouts are such a welcome addition to the winter diet, especially since all the store vegies are more than a week old. I'm growing some lettuce under a light but it's not working out very well. I'm going to make a bag this week. Thanks again, makalove!

[sunshiine]

I love sprouts. I think I will make a few of these for Christmas. Thanks for sharing! Have a splendorous day! Sunshiine

[makalove]

:) Enjoy your sprouting.

[sunshiine]

I want to make one of these for my sister though. I just hope to get it done in time. Sunshiine

[sunshiine]

I will post a picture when I do. I have so many wanna do's I don't know when I will get to all of them I have a list here on Instructables and what ever inspires me I do. Sunshiine

[makalove]

Yeah, same here. Right now i'm sort of obsessed with sewing fleece cage accessories for sugar gliders.

[sunshiine]

I sure wished I had thought of it but I would have made sprouted rice or beans for the raw foods contest. Maybe you already have some sprouting for that. They are so good! Can't wait to see what you are making! Sunshiine

[makalove]

We'll see if i manage to make anything. i've had the flu all week and am much sicker than i expected to be.

[sunshiine]

I am sorry to hear that. I have had a cold this week also. We can look at the good aspects of it though! Hope you feel better and can enter the contest! Because I did not know a lot about a raw food diet it took me a while to figure out something other than a salad. Sunshiine

[snowscene]

 Hi, this sounds a brill idea, so am about to make my bag tonight, can't wait to try it out. thanks for a great idea.

[Tunesrlife]

Thanks for this!  The fabric bag makes things a lot easier.  I had just been using soils and germinating in a regular glass.  This works much better.

[dchall8]

Many years ago I made radish sprouts for my sandwiches.  Then suddenly my source of radish seeds stopped carrying them and I quit.  I'll have to check back and see if they have them again. 

[makalove]

 Check out your local food co-ops and health food stores. When i was in San Antonio back in the mid-90s there were loads of natural foods stores. Personally, i favor the small, locally owned shops over the corporate giants like Whole Foods, but WF should have sprouting seeds too. There are also lots of internet seed shops. Just be sure to use seeds intended for sprouting and not those intended for gardening.

Happy sprouting! :)

[dchall8]

That's right.  Sun Harvest Foods had the radish seeds in bulk at the time you were here.  When they stopped carrying them, Whole Foods had not come to town yet.  When they did I checked again for radish seeds but found nothing in bulk.  I need to check again. 

[the rural independent]

Awesome!  Sprouts really need to be in everyone's diet.

www.theruralindependent.com

[Doctor What]

 Great!  Now I'll have even more materials for school sandwich making!

[makalove]

:) I always loved spicy mustard and horseradish type condiments on my sandwiches...now I get those same great flavors in sprouts without adding fat and sugar and preservatives and such. Enjoy your sprouts!