Making fabric shopping bags?

Question

I'm trying to make some fabric shopping bags. Do you think that using regular cotton fabric would work for big grocery store trips? I've been trying to use canvas but its so hard to deal with when trying to sew through all the layers. I'm just worried about the bag ripping with a load of canned food in it.

Answer 1

Why bother when you can buy the store's own for 50 cents - $1.00.



I add embroidery, an applique or a quilt block to personalize.



You could use twill or denim ....a good way to recycle old jeans.



Be sure to use a denim needle for easier sewing.

Answer 2

For making fabric bags, in addition to doubling the fabric, you could also use a piece of "interfacing" to reinforce the fabric (buy it on the bolt from a fabric store... there are many weights and types... some can be ironed right onto the fabric, and some aren't "fusible" so are just used as a second layer then sewed only into the seams to hold in place).



You could also make the bag with a separate inner "lining" that wasn't connnected to the bag except at the top... I've made loads of tote bags using the technique Eleanor Burns put at the end of her first book, which you can get cheap if you're interested:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0922705984/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1242929479&sr=8-1



And there are other ways of making liners in tote bags too. Liner material can even been water-resistant or water-proof (and some people are making them totally from thickened plastic bags, etc., too these days).





The most stress for fabric bags would be on the bottom, the seams, and places the handles are attached, so you could just make those areas stronger too (with additional stitching, e.g.). Or you could put a stiff "floor" in the bottom of a bag you'd given a wider bottom to (by turning the finished bag inside out, flattening the bottom area as if it's sitting, then stitching across the triangle corner of the fabric at each end of the bottom seam...here are a couple of pics of making that kind of "box" bottom from a regular bottom:

http://www.wikihow.com/Image:T4_935.JPG

http://www.craftstylish.com/assets/uploads/2008/06/Fig-11---Make-Mine-3D_lg.jpg )



And here are a bunch of lessons on making shopping bags and tote bags in general:

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+shopping+bags

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+tote+bags



HTH,



Diane B.

Answer 3

Light cotton probably won't last. Knit material (like T-shirts) will stretch a LOT. Linen is nice, very tough. Hemp is even better - tough, light, and it is a material which is produced in a very "green" way. It's made from a plant, no pesticides because it is basically a weed & insects are not a threat. Great stuff, and you can get it in lots of good colors.



You could also knit or crochet a bag. I can send you a few easy patterns if you like.



Good for you - Go Green!

Answer 4

Many upholstery and textile fabric could paintings nicely - you will come across remnants inexpensively at many fabric shops, or you need to purchase an previous curtain at a thrift shop - shop on with tightly-woven ones with soft surfaces so stuff on your handbag does not capture on it. There are some super tutorials on the information superhighway for certainly making paying for bags out of previous t-shirts, which might fold up distinctly small. in case you will come across some, between the sturdiest fabric of all time is polyester doubleknit, and it does not ravel, so which you do no longer ought to end the seams - seek for products without plenty stretch in the two direction. i take advantage of previous denims for mine, yet they are variety of cumbersome to hold in a handbag (I only bypass away mine in the automobile). good success!

Answer 5

Regular cotton fabric would be too light. It might work if you doubled it. Canvas or cotton duck would be better as it is sturdier.

Answer 6

Great idea saves trees and landfills. Thanks for the great idea share it with others. I think heavy cotton will last a couple of years. As does T-shirts and will keep your food safe from breakage. Good luck and thanks for careing and sharing. :-)