Re-useable Bag Hack

I found these re-useable bag for life type shopping bags, they are perfect for me. Folded up they fit in my pocket, they can be washed in the machine, they are waterproof (to an extent) and they are my favourite colour, they have just one issue....

They are held in a folded position by a loop sewn into the centre of the top of the bag, which means that holding the folded bag closed becomes lumpy and after a time, the loop breaks.

The first one that broke I fixed with a bead and this made holding them folded and closed so much easier.  I ended up cutting the loops on all of my bags and adding beads.

First I cut the point off of a sewing pin with wire cutters to make a tool, if you had more patience than I do you could thread the black elastic through the eye of a needle. I prefer the pin tool and I use it for other things.  Second I cut a slant in the end of the elastic and third bought a pack of cheap beads from the 2dollar/pound shop.

Next just push the elastic through the eye of the bead (I purposely chose beads with a narrow hole) with the blunt pin, tie a knot and you are done.  Loop the elastic around the folded bag and push the bead under the elastic to the other side. Simple.