Reusable Grocery Bags

[meganbarr]

I want to make some really cute grocery bags. I am tired of looking at my 99 cent store bags. Any fabric suggestions/patterns ?

[ktarsha]

I don't have any patterns, but maybe you could draft one based on the bags you have right now? For fabric, try light or mid-weight home dec fabric. I have one made in a patchwork of recycled futon covers; it works great and has lots of fun and funky designs in it. I've got some drapery fabric left over from a project, and one day I'm going to make it into bags.

[DeerMother]

This is on my to do list, so far I have only made one. I folded the fabric from the bottom so that I only had to sew the sides and hem the top. For handles, I cut about 4-5 (I hate to measure) inch strips, sewed inside out, turned and then sewed about an inch down on the inside of bag in a square pattern. I have decided that since my fabric stash is pretty big and the whole idea of these bags is to reduce and reuse to just use that. No need to buy fabric for these bags! I didn't line the first one, but I can see that it will only work for lighter items, they need to be lined from now on (or use heavier material). If you have old sheets or something plain and boring you could always applique to spruce them up. What about using old jeans to make denim patchwork?

[Angi]

there is a fantastic pattern on Crafster.org. Basically you use a regular plastic grocery bag as the "pattern".
For fabrics, I used heavier decorator fabrics. Home decorator fabrics? Is that what they are called? It's almost a canvas. They have held up wonderfully and I use them quite often.
If you want a link to pattern, just PM me and I'll send it to you.

[candipooh]

link

another link

and another one click on the "make one" link to get the pdf.

[reeseccup]

SIMPLE http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/...g&rsc=header_1

[greencat]

I'm knitting mine out of plastic grocery bags with #14 knitting kneedles. I though it was cute (?) to make one in a same shape, and be able to put a lot of grocery.

[hippiewitchie]

I love these from vintage sheets- there is a pattern for reusable produce bags too:

http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/...label/How%20To

[reeseccup]

HW, VERY COOL!! Thanks for posting that site.

[lovemyfamily]

cool liks ladies! I especially like the one where you use the plastic sack as the pattern! I may have to try this. does anyone know how well they would hold up? Two layers should be okay right!?

[Angi]

Originally Posted by lovemyfamily

cool liks ladies! I especially like the one where you use the plastic sack as the pattern! I may have to try this. does anyone know how well they would hold up? Two layers should be okay right!?

I made one from a pattern found on craftster. (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index...82.0;topicseen)

Here is a photo: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1071/...dcbbc970_o.jpg

I used just regular cotton for the liner, but the outer area (dark pink) is also cotton, but I used home decorating fabric since it's heavier. The only thing I would change is to have the handles longer.

But it works and holds up great.

[Canadian_Eco_Ma]

great!

Thank you for sharing these links.
How do you make a knitted bag out of plastic grocery bags? That would be amazing to do!

cheers
Phoenix

[CalaRei]

Originally Posted by Canadian_Eco_Ma

Thank you for sharing these links.
How do you make a knitted bag out of plastic grocery bags? That would be amazing to do!

cheers
Phoenix

I haven't knit like this, but I tried crochet. The result is tedious, but very cool, I think. And super strong. You cut up your bags into slices, right across the center, so that you have lots of loops. Using a rotary cutter really helps here. Then you loop your loops together in a long string - like you do with rubber bands? Ball up as much as you can, and use it just like a yarn.

Googling for "plastic bag knitting" might get you there, too. Be sure to use larger needles and knit loosely, because the plastic yarn doesn't "give" at all.

[ancoda]

I love all these ideas. I really need some more reusable bags and this may just give me the motivation to start working on some.

[snowangel182]

I cut apart a paper grocery bag and used it as my pattern, but I wish I could make them "stiffer" to stand up on the counter for easier loading/unloading. Any ideas?

[reeseccup]

Originally Posted by snowangel182

I cut apart a paper grocery bag and used it as my pattern, but I wish I could make them "stiffer" to stand up on the counter for easier loading/unloading. Any ideas?

Perhaps using a stiff stabilizer and flat lining or sandwiching between two pieces of fabric?

[A Mom's Love]

I haven't tried this yet, but liked the idea: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and...&craftid=11987

[mamadd]

I like these bags...
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/show/261

But I think there are some others on this crazy long list of tutorials. Enjoy!
http://theprincessandthemonkey.blogs...tutorials.html

[mamadd]

Originally Posted by snowangel182

I cut apart a paper grocery bag and used it as my pattern, but I wish I could make them "stiffer" to stand up on the counter for easier loading/unloading. Any ideas?

I agree - add interfacing to the sides. you can also sew in some cardboard into the base - sandwich it between 2 fabrics.

Also a canvas might work. There are some really cute Japanese ones out there like this one...

http://www.beesquarefabrics.com/cata...ducts_id=3629&

or this one
http://www.superbuzzy.com/index.php?...oducts_id=2544