No plastic bags, please!
Before sewing
One thing I enjoy is grocery shopping, and you need something to carry your goods. Making my own bags is not only enjoyable but also practical. It allows me to customize the size and style to fit my needs while reducing plastic waste. Crafting these bags adds a personal touch, turning a simple chore into a creative and eco-friendly experience.
The inner liner
Now, the fabric I use is made of acrylic, essentially… plastic. However, let me clarify that it’s nothing like those flimsy, whimsy, billowy bags you get from the grocery store—the kind you toss away without a second thought once you unpack your goods. These bags are genuinely reusable and built to last!
Blue Bag
Finished bag
Most tote bags offered for sale at grocery or other stores are generally quite robust, but I wanted something more personal. I did several YouTube searches and stumbled across Jess at Oklaroots. Basically, all she does is bags! I searched her channel, found an easy one to construct, and proceeded to the nearest fabric store for materials.
I chose this blue fabric with sailboats and a few descriptive phrases, like 'My Happy Place' and 'Sunny Shores'. It’s not solution-dyed; the blue was simply printed on the white background, so I assumed it would fade faster with time (it did, but not drastically). Now, it has that 'worn—it’s been used’ look.
I used a blue/white stripe fabric for the lining and some plastic mesh in the bottom for stability (it’s sandwiched between the two fabrics).
This bag has no pockets and no zippers.
Green Bag
Discontinued Sunbrella fabric
This bag is made from a discontinued Sunbrella pattern. At first glance, I found this particular fabric repulsive. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kermit the Frog, but he does sing that song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green!”. What truly caught my eye, however, were the vibrant international maritime signal flags depicted on the material. The flag colors aren’t entirely accurate; well, to be honest, they’re completely wrong. But despite that, the intent was there, and they ultimately got my attention; after all, I live on a boat! I crafted the inside liner and the two inner pockets from a durable outdoor fabric that I picked up at Joann’s.
