Bags for Life!

By Judith
 on May 17, 2013

With the new 5p tax on plastic bags here, I thought it would be good to have an Eco Bag workshop in the summer, so folks could learn how to make their own bags for life.

I've been using my own handmade shopping bags for a while now, and made countless others for friends and family.

So far, I've experimented on 3 designs.  They are a combination of ones I've seen around blogland and my own additions and adjustments.  (Folks attending the one day workshop should be able to get 2 made).

Bags for Life 005

I used a mix of deco weight, cotton and nylon fabrics, to give folks a choice between strength and compactness.  They are all reversible!

Obviously the nylon one (a recycled shower curtain!) folds up nice and small, making it the smallest to fit in your handbag.  This is an unlined bag, with French seams which I based on dimensions of bags I've made before.

Bags for Life
Great for lighter-weight items

Next up, is the largest, which is reversible and folds up nicely into a front pocket.

Bags for Life

For this one I took my lead from this tutorial, but the pattern is not v.detailed, didn't provide the template, only uses 1/4" single seams and is unnecessarily complicated around the handles. So I made it up as I went along!!

Finally, this one!

Bags for Life 008

I will be recommending folks to make this one first at the workshop.  I found the template for it here, it is lined/reversible and the seam attaching the handles are flat fell seams (super strong, like the ones in the sides of your jeans!).   I will be adapting it a little to make it easy to fold up and store.

Bags for Life 010

There are many more styles of eco bags you could make, in as many different materials. I will continue to experiment with a few more before the workshop in August.  (I fancy trying one out from a pair of jeans!).

 In Stitches Bags for Life Workshop: Saturday 31st August.

  • Cart

  • Blog Archive

  • Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

  • Cart

  • About Me

    Hi! I’m Jude. Welcome to Just Jude Designs! This is where I talk about my sewing endeavours, quilting classes & pattern design. I hope you can stay a while!

  • Newsletter

  • YouTube

  • Instagram

  • Recent Posts

  • Blog Archive

  • Copyright

    All content is Copyright Judith Hollies and may not be produced without explicit consent from the owner.

    Site design & development by Blackdog Media

  • About This Site

    All content copyright Just Jude Designs and may not be replicated or reproduced in any way without prior consent.
    Site design and hosting by Blackdog Media
    %d bloggers like this: