I have 2 yards of upholstery fabric and little skill

[Inchworm]

But I'd still like to make a reusable grocery bag.

It is not so much to save the planet as it is the fact I'm getting so tired of coming home with 10-11 items and ending up with 5 plastic pain in the ass bags all over kitchen floor.

Any ideas?

:shrug:

:hi:

[Zookeeper]

1. Take apart a paper grocery bag and use it as a pattern....

and attach handles.

Good luck, Inchworm!

[Inchworm]

2. woot!

der.. Now I feel sort of stupid. Why didn't I think of that :P

:hug:

[Zookeeper]

3. I'm glad the idea works for you...

:hug: back atcha.

[Javaman]

4. Toga! Toga! Toga! Toga! Toga! Toga! nt

[Inchworm]

9. It would be itchy

and just end up on the floor anyhow :)

:hi:

[LynneSin]

5. Some stores sell reusable grocery bags - I have about 4 of them

They were 99 cents each and hold twice as much as regular plastic bags.

I also take my Led Zeppelin canvas paperbag style bag when I know I'll be shopping. I can hold plenty of items in it and just skip getting plastic bags. I'll even toss a few leftover plastic bags in case it's something I don't want to get messed up in my bag

[Inchworm]

8. I've been asking around for weeks

I don't think the stores are concerned. Like I said they give you a plastic bag per item it seems sometimes. When I asked for paper and to get it all in one bag at first, they looked at me like I was nuts. They all know me now and just do it, but still :)

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

13. course, there's this place too,.....

http://www.cheaptotes.com/

[Inchworm]

14. I'm too much of a tightwad

To pay more for shipping than for the item I buy hehe.

:)

[NMDemDist2]

16. yeah, look at it another way, buy 7 bags for less than $15

that a bargain big time, trust me!

[NMDemDist2]

6. i got all my canvas bags at thrift stores

check out your local Goodwill or Salvation Army

as to making one, it's pretty easy. cut two squares the same size, then a strip 5 inches wide the length of three sides of the squares. put a hem on the top of the squares and strip, sew the strip around one square, then sew the other square to the other side of the strip

you have a bag with sides and a bottom

if you want handles, get some clothes line, sew tubes of material, turn it right side out and use a big safety pin stuck through the clothes line to thread it through the tubes. attach to squares with heavy needle and thread, voila, handles!

doesn't take much skill, just use the heaviest thread you can put through the sewing machine and triple stitch everything

good luck!

[Inchworm]

7. I've been looking around here

I was in Goodwill looking the day I bought the material. Just dry of bags around here I guess :)

Ok, this seems doable. I ripped apart a paper bag and was going to do that but I got to wondering what would hold it in a square. Your way seems more doable.

I really wish I coulda just bought some, but hec this may be fun after a few beers. I drank so much coffee it was hard to cut a straight line hehe

Thanks!

:hi:

[Zookeeper]

10. Yes, AZ's idea is probably better, unless you want the flat fold...

and plan to reinforce the bottom like a paper bag.

I bought a couple of "cloth" bags at my local grocery store for $1.50 a piece. They were modeled after a paper bag, except a bit shorter. And they are reinforced on the bottom.

Now, if I could always remember to take them with me when I shop.... :eyes:

[NMDemDist2]

11. you have to keep looking

it took me a couple years to get 6-7 canvas bags and I went to the thrift stores every couple weeks if not sooner

perseverance is the key to thrift store shopping

but making a bag is pretty darned easy. I hope it was obvious that you need to turn it inside out when done stitching so place the raw side of the hems accordingly (facing out) eh?

[Inchworm]

12. hehe

yea, I had it inside out in my head :D

I'm slow, but not stopped hehe

;)

[NMDemDist2]

15. hey, that's why I don't make my living being a technical writer

i suck at giving directions

:rofl:

[Hugin]

17. Fold it over and stitch up the sides...

:thumbsup:

[BarenakedLady]

18. That's a great idea

I have a gazillion plastic bags (just got more today :eyes: ) I keep forgetting to return them. Then again, I'd probably make the bags and then forget them and end up getting more plastic ones.

They never bother asking "paper or plastic" anymore. Did you notice? I usually have to catch them after they've already started bagging in the plastic. Most times I don't even bother.

[Inchworm]

19. Yup- I have noticed

That they do not ask any more. I always forget to catch them as well. In the interest of getting it to sink in their heads I still say.. Hold on! Paper please. Then they put the 6 filled plastic bags and put it in one paper bag.

Most of the ppl at groceries I go to know me now though. I had a manager stop me as I came in a few months back and inform me they were out of paper and it had been ordered. I said thanks for the tip and turned around :D

:hi:

Oh.. by the way BNL.. I think it has become my duty to assure that you have been flirted with proper every day. I do it for my country. I do it for the piggys. I do it for Maya and the rest of your pack. I just thought I'd let ya know. :patriot:

You just "do it" for me hehe...

flirt- flirt- flirt- :loveya:

[BarenakedLady]

20. LOL!

Well thankyouverymuch inchworm for doing your part to put a smile on my face today. :D

:hug:

[Inchworm]

22. You are quite welcome

:hug:

[Inchworm]

21. Be advised- the bag is complete

Thank you all for all your tips.

Next lesson "Needle Conservation"

I went through 6 needles on sewing machine. I think it has to do withsettings and the colors on the needles. I'll do my homework :)

Ya'll rock!

:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

23. Well.....????

Where are the pictures?

[Inchworm]

24. Tomorrow my flirt queen

for tonight, I drink with the true keeper of my heart.

I will try to take pics in morn though.. but .. its just a bag :)

:loveya: