Handmade Tote/Grocery Bags

 About a year ago, I picked up some indoor-outdoor fabrics from Joann's.  I had this great idea that I was going to make my own bags to take to the grocery store.  So I bought a lot of various fabrics for both the outside and the linings of the bags, yards of fusible fleece and interfacing for the inside lining, and many yards of handle webbing for the handles.  When I added up the total, I think each bag would cost about $50 to make!

But being a crafter, why buy bags from the store that cost $1-$2 when you can make them for $50, right?

So this week I drew up a pattern and began working on my bags.  I didn't want to make them too big or too small, and I fussed with the dimensions.  All in all, I like the size that they turned out.  

On this first bag, which is sort of a prototype, I didn't quilt either the bag or the lining.  Although I like the overall look of it, it seems a bit flimsy to me, or I call it too loosey-goosey for a tote.  

So I went back to the sewing table and made another one, this time with a quilted top and inside.

This bag turned out much stiffer and held its shape better, so I think I like this one with the quilting on it more than the first one.

I wanted to add some buttons to the bag, so I picked out some old Stampin Up buttons.  Luckily I have a few packs of those lying around and ready to be used on a project.  

For my next bag, I may add some pockets either to the outside or the inside to give it even more shape.  I'm still working on the perfect pattern.  :)

While out on my travels I found some plastic canvas that I thought would be great for the bottom of the bag to keep it square.  Now if I can just find where I put it, I'll add that to the inside, covered with the leftover fabric scraps.

I'll keep you posted on the bag making project!