I won a Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway Day prize last year from The Green Bag Lady who sent me a fabric shopping bag and the fabric to make another one to pass on to a friend, which I did. I used her tutorial for all the bags below, I didn't really need a tutorial but it was handy to have the measurements to hand. First, I made three bags using an old sheet I'd bought from a charity shop. The scalloped edge meant I didn't have to hem the top.
See?
3 bags isn't enough. For our large shop, I generally use about 10 as I can't carry them if they're too heavy. My mum had given me an old double duvet cover and I set to work cutting it up. Ever wondered what 15 cut out shopping bags looks like? This:
I got 14 bags from the duvet cover (handles from the pillow case), and also I made one more from the sheet. I chain sewed. I sewed fast and sloppily and it really doesn't matter as it's a shopping bag. Or rather it's 18 shopping bags. (I'm not allowed to left-align this paragraph, don't know why - sorry, I know centred paragraphs are hard to read).
The duvet cover was spotty on one side and stripy on the other so some bags are spotty...
Some are stripy:
And some were cut from the edge so are both:
I'm going to have the funkiest shopping in Nottingham! These are just supermarket shopping bags, I have a fancy pants shopping bag that I keep in my handbag for craft shopping, or clothes shopping trips. These are purely for the supermarket.
If you currently use plastic bags, I beg you to make some of these. All 18 took me a total of about 5 hours I think, so they're quick and you probably don't need 18! We went shopping yesterday (nope, not with the bags, they weren't finished) and I was shocked, as I always am, by the amount of people who still use the flimsy, disposable bags. I'm no eco-warrier, but it's about time the government banned them. Make people pay for their plastic bags and it might encourage them to take them with them when they shop.
Eco-rant over, normal service will now be resumed.
13 comments:
I love the spots! I use my cloth bags all the time. I keep them in both cars and a couple in my handbag, just in case. I gave a couple away to a woman at the store last week and she was so happy, you would think it was the first nice thing anyone had done for her. I am going to have to look for edged sheets, those bags are adorable! Thanks for sharing!
I love your bags! And I agree completely, the disposable ones should be banned outright or at least should cost money.
Good for you being so green - your bags are adorable!! Here a few years ago the stores started charging 5 cents for plastic bags to encourage people to bring reusable bags - the campaign was very successful and lots (or most?) of us use reusable bags regularly. We have about a dozen we keep in the car for groceries, and very rarely get plastic :) Sometimes, though, you definitely need plastic bags, especially on garbage day, lol!
Love your bags... I use quite a few made ones.. but I do need more... besides being enviro friendly I think they are much more fun... and if we can improve the grocery shop I'm all for it!!
Hugz
Great idea. I also like how they are machine washable.
I love your bags! I made some a while back too, but I think I'm going to make some more to give away. What a great idea.
What a wonderful blog, I've seen a lot of great ideas!!! I'm a follower by now!
ClaraBelle
I totally agree. Here in DK you pay about 33 cents pr plasticbag but it is not considered okay to use them although a lot of people still do.
Your idea to use sheets from charity shops is just great! Banging my head that I did not get that idea first *lol* I visit charity shops regularly.
And sewing a lot of them is actually a good idea - 8-10 would be sufficient for my use.
Such a great idea !
I'm just banging my head that I did not come up with this idea using sheets from charity shops - I go there regularly and have bought sheets for quiltbacking.
Its a great idea!
Wow - I can't believe you made all those bags in just a few hours - amazing. And they look fab too. Do you find them strong enough for heavy shopping?
I've vowed not to buy any more of the 10p type bags and I never get the disposable ones so I am just using up the supply I have...then I might have to join you in making some of my own!
Love the scalloped edge ones! The funky spots and stripes will mean you'll always know which shopping is yours :). I have blue and white striped and blue with red hearts recycled sheet grocery bags and people give me the strangest looks when they see them. I figure they are just jealous :).
Robyn
So funny! I just posted on my blog about my first time actually using my fabric bags. it is amazing how much easier it is without those flimsy plastic bags!
I LOVE the scalloped edge ones. The fact that you didn't have to hem those is a huge bonus as well.:)
Shiloh
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