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Favorite reusable grocery bag? Thinking about making some
KitnRose Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/18/03 Posts: 2026	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 0:36 AM We're looking at different ways to go greener and reducing the insane amount of grocery bags that wind up under our sink is high on the list! However there's a couple dozen ideas that show up when you ask Google about how to make reusable grocery sacks. So, do you make them? Do you have a favorite pattern and size? I'd love something really simple so I can churn out a bunch, but I'll take all suggestions! Thank you so much! ------ Kit "Never underestimate the power of the right dress!" - drsue "Hyu gots to know how to sveet tok de costumers, dollink" - Girl Genius, 11-24-08
quiltsammon Advanced Beginner WA USA Member since 3/12/05 Posts: 621	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 1:03 AM I've sewn up this bag from craftster . I haven't actually used them. I gave them all away for Christmas gifts last year. I hear they're great and hold a ton. I do have a couple cut out, just haven't found the time to sew them up.
Karla Kizer   Advanced FL USA Member since 4/8/02 Posts: 6989	Login to reply to this post In reply to KitnRose Like this post Date: 6/15/08 7:11 AM If you want to make them, great. But first, check your local Home Depot. They sell a reusable bag - very, very orange :wow:- that is much more spacious than the usual grocery totes. It has plastic clips on it that hold it open in a grocery cart (like a cart liner) so at checkout, you can just toss the groceries into the opened bag. Cost: $1.50 I have one of Ikea's giant reusable blue shopping bags, too - 59 cents. For the sake of tradition, I have a small Whole Foods canvas bag that I paid too much for, because it's pretty and the profits are donated. Of the three, the HD bag is my favorite. ------ “Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann. Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket? Matthew 25:40 (New International Version) The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Ronda Rae Intermediate FL USA Member since 3/20/06 Posts: 1146	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 9:44 AM I downloaded one from burdastyle.com and another from Embroidery Library. The one at Embroidery Library is massive! I am definitely going to make it someday soon. In the interim, I bought some from our local store for 99 cents a piece. Massive Grocery Bag Enjoy! Ronda ------ I don't mind going to work but it's that 8 hour wait to go home that's a B!TCH.
kathyann Intermediate ME USA Member since 9/24/05 Posts: 78	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 10:05 AM I've got about 6 bags I use constantly--even haul them into JoAnns and department stores. They've all been scrounged over the years. I just measured my favorite one, which is 17" wide and 14" tall, with straps of a finished length of 22". This fit over my shoulder, which I like, but doesn't drag on the ground when I carry it in my hand. It's a medium weight canvas, sturdy, but scrunches up easily, and goes through the wash nicely. I don't like the really big bags, because they are just too darned heavy when fully loaded. If I don't throw them back in my car as soon as I unpack them, I'd never remember them Hope this helps, Kathyann
elizajo   Intermediate LA USA Member since 4/15/05 Posts: 1176	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 10:06 AM I made KwikSew 2191 shopping bags for Christmas presents last year. After searching through the commerical pattern offerings and the tutorials, I liked it the best because it is the same size as a brown paper grocery bag. It doesn't call for strapping either, which I didn't want to deal with since I was making many bags from different decorator fabrics. This pattern instructs you to make a sort of french seam on the outside, which keeps the shape of the bag when you stand it up or fold it. By using my edge stitching foot, the stitching turned out very professional looking. I bought stiff plastic needlepoint canvas to put in the bottom of each bag. I also made the lunch bags in the pattern for to hold gift cards. By the time I had made 20 bags from that pattern, I was burned out, but I'm interested in making a whole set for myself as soon as I finish my summer sewing. I want to use a twill and make up an iron-on transfer from a monogrammed card that my mom found for me in Ireland. I do one major grocery run each month, so I need different sizes. It's kind of daunting to deal with sacking, loading, and unloading fifty plastic bags into my van, so I don't want all of them to be the T-bags that hang on their racks for sacking. I purchase many canned goods-- diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, olives, and 17 cans of green beans for my dog! I found the store brand at WalMart are cheaper than the cases at Sams Club, so I have tons of loose cans rolling around for the checker to scan. I keep forgetting to bring my own plastic milk crate to try-- I think the checker would be happy to see it too. So I'm thinking that I can keep my cloth totes stored in a plastic crate in the back of my van. ------ Elizabeth
Lady_Mame Intermediate WA USA Member since 3/11/07 Posts: 2074	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 10:31 AM If you are walking to and from the store-- I have to admit, round bags cannot be beat. I made mine by cutting out a big circle, and then deciding how tall to make the walls-- make it the same way you'd make a cylindircal pillow-- it's cake-- and they don't knock around your knees while walking. :) ------ Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
Rhoda K   Beginner AL USA Member since 8/22/05 Posts: 1855	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 10:41 AM I recently placed an order from Miles Kimball and these bags were on sale for $7.99 with my order. So I definitely took advantage of the offer. They're very sturdy and I've thrown them in the car for my next visit to the grocery store or Walmart, or wherever. At that price it wouldn't have paid me to make them. Some stores will give a discount if you bring your own.
Linda G Advanced MN USA Member since 11/11/06 Posts: 260	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 10:50 AM I like the Burda Style free pattern that you can get off of their site. You do need a serger for these...a few ladies and I made over 40 of them for a food shelf fund raiser.
sewonandsewforth Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/12/08 Posts: 296	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/15/08 11:20 AM I have three that I use regularly and it does help to put them back in the front (passenger) seat of your car after emptying so that they'll be there for the next shopping trip. One is a Whole Foods canvas bag that I've had since the 80's, one is a cotton string bag purchased at the same time as the WF bag and one is from a McCall's tote bag pattern that is so large that I ended up turning nearly half of it inside. For that one I used a home dec fabric that was on sale at Jo-Ann's and I used the cotton webbing (also from Jo-Ann's) for handles. Training yourself to use these bags really does reduce the amount of plastic bags that you need to remember to return to the store's recycle bin. I like the looks of that KwikSew pattern so might get that one too. I throw all three of my bags in with my load of towels about once a month just to make sure they aren't breeding anything undesirable.

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