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Shopping Bags

Most stores in our town charge you a nickel for a plastic bag when you check out. I love this practice and the way that it encourages people to bring their own cloth bags or reuse their plastic ones. My habit of bringing along bags to the grocery store is well established, but I used to find myself stuck at places like the drug store or farmer's market or other impromptu stops. Then I picked up a bag at an upscale kitchen goods store that rolls up quite compactly. Now I keep that in my purse, so I always have a bag with me.

I like my bag so much that I wanted to replicate it for the art sale. The final result is a hybrid of the bag I purchased and these that I made last year.

Reusable Grocery Bag

The bag is a little bigger than the average plastic grocery bag. The velcro tab is used to keep the bag rolled up, but also can close the top of the bag when it is full.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Most of the bag is a single layer of cotton, but the handles are faced. There is a double row of top-stitching around both edges of the handles. The sides have a gusset and are sewn with French seams for strength and a clean finish. The bottom is also sewn with a French seam plus an additional row of reinforcing stitching.

Reusable Grocery Bag

To roll up the bag:
Fold the bag into thirds, using the pocket edges as a guide.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Fold the handles down. There will be a twist in one side of the handles.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Fold the bottom of the bag up to be even with the top of the handles.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Roll the bag up into thirds. The velcro on the bottom of the pocket should be visible.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Close the velcro tab and stash the bag somewhere where you will use it, like your purse or in you car's glovebox.

Reusable Grocery Bag

I think these could be great stocking stuffers and I hope other people see them that way, too.

Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable Grocery Bags


Comments

  1. Renee, those are great! They would make excellent holiday gifts.
    :)Deb M.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've noticed that most stores here (Fredericton, New Brunswick) are also charging a nickel for a bag. We take bags into the grocery stores but I never think of taking bags with me to the mall ~ but this would be a great idea. I love all the different fabrics you have used. They should be a popular item at the sale.

    ReplyDelete
  3. They look great! I really like the turquoise and green one.

    In Denmark the tax on plastic shopping bags are so high that the price is 30 or 50 cent (two sizes). I think they are sturdier than yours and they can be reused at least 20 times if not torn by a sharp corner or such.

    I have a whole bunch of fabric shopping bags as well. :-)

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  4. Ooh! you should sell them online; I'd buy one! :D Love the taupe stripe!

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  5. Very cute! And a great idea too!

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  6. Would you be willing to share the pattern for your shopping bag? I love that your bags are a bit larger then the typical ones, and have the velcro closure. Thanks for considering.

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  7. I realize this is an old post, but I was also wondering if you might share(or sell?) your pattern or tutorial. I love this bag!

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  8. How might I find/buy a pattern for these? I definitely could make enough to always have them in my car.

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  9. I too would like to get the pattern. I think your bags are fantastic. Love love love them.

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  10. Interested in pattern or where I could purchase?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love to make some of these as gifts. Do you have the pattern for sale?

    ReplyDelete

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