Episode 45 ~ Reusable Shopping Bag, maybe
Listen to the podcast of this postToday, you are going to think I am nuts! I tried to make a reusable shopping bag with plastic bags.
Thanks to Gidget for sharing her first block in her Civil War Tribute quilt. The pattern is from Homestead Hearth’s BOM that started in January. I love the design and the colors.
I got my coffee this week from www.coffeecow.com
I bought these stitch markers from LewZilla on etsy.
This week’s topic – Making a reusable shopping bag with plastic grocery bags.
Crazy idea, I know. But my thought was – if I forget my shopping bag at home and get stuck using a plastic bag, I should recycle that plastic bag. I am not the only one who thought this. Check out this great tutorial I found.
1. Use clean bags. Cut the handles off.
2. Cut the bottom seam off.
3. Slit the bag up the side so that it lays out in one layer. A really big rectangle.
4. Layer 5 to 8 bags on top of each other and sandwich inbetween two pieces of parchment paper.
5. I did find that laying it this was was easier to handle.
6. Press using a hot setting on your iron. This is where it gets tricky. You will have to play around and test with your iron. Every iron is different. I had to put mine on Wool setting. If your iron is too hot, it will shrink the plastic like this.
7. When done correctly, tis is what it will look like. Wrinkly, but still about the same size.
8. Keep the iron moving. If you stop for any period of time, you risk melting a hole in it.
9. I used handle pieces to mend the hole.
10. Cut just like fabric. 14 1/2″ x 13″ for the front and back; 6 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ or the sides; 6 1/2″ x 13″ for the bottom. 3″ x 27″ for the handles.
11. Stitch together using an overlock stitch. Stitch all edges and reinforce the handles with extra stitches.
12. Ta-Da!!!! this is what it looks like.
It looks better from far away. 
7 Comments
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I am Brye Lynn, host, author, and creator of Sew ~ Stitch ~ Create! I am a lifetime sewer and beginner quilter. This blog is dedicated to my journey into the crafting world as I learn and explore my favorite medium – fiber and fabric.
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Sorry, did not mean to be harsh, but I was alarmed. After 40 years of nursing, dealing with heart disesase, cancer patients, respiratory aliments many caused by exposure to noxious chemicals causes bells to go off in my head. For years the pharmacutical (sp) chemical and tobacco companies told us their products whould not harm us but people are ill and dying at an alarming rate. I did not think you were aware of the toxins released by plastics… I personally feel even a little exposure is too much.
I do not think you really want those chemicals released into your home or around your children. They are very toxic and you are probably NOT wearing the protective respirators and gears the petro works who make the bags have on.
I feel proper recycling does not use questionable processes to save the original item. I have seen the plastic bags cut into strips and crotchet into larger shopping bags… or even sewn together multiple layers and quilted to make a stronger bag. I think those methods would be safer and you are not changing the chemistry via heat.
Sorry if I sound like a worry wart but I have suffered significant health problems due to chemical exposure ( the chemicals were taughted as safe and non toxic) in my younger years and do not want to see other go through the same thing.
Lady Rags,
Brye,
Just wondered how it was to sew plastic. Did it feed easily? Did you have to change the pressure on the presser foot? Have you used it to shop yet? Sorry I am so full of questions, just never considered sewing store plastic bags before!
Thanks,
Kerstin
I knew that you were sick when you recorded your podcast, but– va va va voom! Your voice sounded very sexy and sultry this time!
Just wanted to ask, are you also participating in the tote bag swap. You didn’t mention it in the podcast.
I like Gidget’s block. I took a look at the quilt. I really like it and many of the other patterns that are offered at the website.
Your reusable bag used up a lot of bags. You will have to let us know how the bag holds up with use.
Hi Brye!
New fan here (2nd post).
Love this podcast on reusable shopping bags.
Here is what I’ve been up to:
Finishing a Yogi bear quilt for my 2 yo nephew.
Working on a batik block swap for quiltingboard.com.
I will send you a photo of my first batik block.
Thanks!
Angela
I haven’t listened yet but just wanted to say…you can use grocery bags to make a crocheted version of a reusable bag. You cut off the top and bottom so you have a tube…then you cut strips off the tube so that you have circular strips. You connect the strip-rings together by knotting them. You do that by taking two rings, and laying one on the bottom with another laying on top and overlapping the edge of the bottom. Lift up the bottom loop that is sticking out under the top loop with your right hand, then you grab the other end of the bottom loop with your left hand and pass it over the strip you haven’t touched and stuff it through the loop in your right hand. Pull it taught. Hopefully that makes sense! You make a giant rope like that and then use your favorite grocery bag crochet pattern to finish it up. I suppose you could knit it, too…