Myvery first post!!!!!!!!!!! I have found some nice remnants of striped ,thick cotton fabric for the grand sum of 50p. I thought that they would make good strong shopping bags.(one of my pet hates is plastic bags)As I'm not too good with a sewing machine, does anyone out there have any ideas foran easy pattern?Thought that they could be some extra christmas pressies.Thanks
Haize
If you are not bothered about some fluffy bits inside the bag, you can do a nice simple unlined bag:
Cut two squares (or whatever size rectangles you fancy, just a little larger than the bag will be. Turn down the top edge of each bit twice (about 1/2" for each fold), preferably ironing it to make it easier to deal with. Just sew along this, low down within the folded section.
Now put the two bits of fabric pretty sides together, lining up the top edges. Sew all round the other three sides, and turn the right way out.
To make handles, cut two strips (12" long or so), 2" wide. Fold in half lengthways, pretty sides together, so you end up with a narrower strip. Sew along the long cut edge. Tricky bit, turn these the right way out! Takes some poking and pulling. Then fold a little bit of the cut ends of your strip up inside, and sew to keep them neat. Sew onto the bag, one handle on each side: Place one end of the strip a couple of inches left of centre, and poking about an inch inside the bag. Sew this on well, round all four sides of the overlapping area. This bit may be easier to do by hand. Put the other end of the same strip and equal distance to the right of centre, and attach to the same side of the bag. Make sure you have no twists, though it won't lie flat, being bent back on itself. Do the other handle on the other side. Make sure you don't accidentally sew both sides of the bag together
If you would like to make a bag that is a little more spacious inside, you can use a third section of fabric, which needs to be as long as the two sides and bottom of the bag, and as wide as you like, maybe 4-6" (depends rather on the size you've picked for the rectangles). Do the same with the ends of this strip as you did with the tops of the rectangles, then place right sides together, the strip agains one rectangle. You will have to pin it, with the edge of the strip following around the edge of the rectangle. Sew that, then do the same with the other side of the strip and the other rectangle.
Sorry if you weren't after this type of bag, "easy" is a bit subjective!
cookie
Sounds just right, the fabric that I bought is very tough, so should make a good strong bag for the shopping!
Haize
I'm going to be making some like this out of old jeans, although I will not be hemming the top, as fluffy denim edges can look ok.
Hope my description wasn't too murky!
lottie
Thanks Haize - I got a HUGE piece of material from the charity shop - yards. A goreous velour/velvet nice and thick and in a nice warm browny colour. I will have a got a that - might not be for a week or so - a bit hectic next week here!
