Fabric Shopping Bags

Ever feel like you are drowning in plastic shopping bags? I try to recycle as many as possible but still have so many floating around the house that I need to trash them! For several months I've tossed around the idea of making my own reusable shopping bags. I've seen lots of neat patterns on the web that I was eager to try. But I wondered if I'd really use them. I could see myself making all these neat bags, then being to embarrassed to pull them out at Walmart! But one day, the lady in front of me in the check out line, filled reusable bags for her groceries. If she could do it, so could I!

Of course, many stores sell a reusable bag for a small sum. But these usually are covered with some company logo. Besides, I'm always looking for an excuse to sew!

But now what pattern! Tipnut has an awesome list of dozens of grocery bag patterns. After looking through the list, my mind was spinning with the possibilities! I decided to make a super simple bag. I love the totes with contrasting lining, but I wanted a bag that would pack up small. I had quite a few scraps of polyester fabric left from other projects. Thin, strong, non-wrinkling fabric seemed just the thing for a shopping bag.

After a few experiments, I finally came up with the pattern I liked the best. I used this pattern for the handles and top. For the bottom pleats and pocket I used this pattern. I finished all the seems with french seams to make a sturdy good looking bag inside and out. The bag can be folded and turned inside the pocket for a tidy pack.
Now, will I actually use these bags? I knew I needed to have the bags handy, or I would not use them. One I placed in my diaper bag. The others I am storing in a small purse in the van. On my last shopping trip, I pulled out this purse, added my shopping list and wallet, and headed for the store. It was a small hassle to inform the cashier of my wish to use my own bags and give them to her, but she cheerfully used them. I used about half of the bags as usual and carrying the groceries into the house was a breeze! I have a flight of stairs to climb to my kitchen and carrying in the groceries is not my favorite task. Having a sturdy bag made a world of difference. Am I the only one who battles those flimsy plastic bags? I actually managed to drop, not one, but two gallons of milk in the parking lot, thanks to bag handles which gave out! These bags worked great at a book sale as well!

In case you want to make some yourself, here is the dimensions that I cut out the fabric.
Large size: two 18x20 (for bag) two 18x4 (for handles) one 6x14 (for pocket)
Small size: two 15x14 (for bag) two 18x4 (for handles) one 5 1/2 x10 (for pocket)
(If using heavier fabric, make a slightly larger pocket.)