Finding the Pretty} Reusable Shopping Bags

by Leigh Anne on January 18, 2010

I’ve been trying to be more green lately.  I do live in Oregon after all – the capital of living green!

I have to admit one thing I struggle with is remembering to take those reusable shopping bags in with me to the grocery store.  I tried leaving them in the car but I’d get in the store and realize I forgot them and I was just too lazy to go back and get them or it would be pouring down rain and I wasn’t going back out in the rain again!

The reuseable bags I had were plain old solid blue and green with some store logo on it – boring!!  I thought maybe if they were pretty bags I’d remember to use them, even look forward to using them.  Guess what – I was right!

I found a great pattern for a reusable shopping bag by Posie Rosy Little Things.  She knows all about going green because she is from Portland too!  You can keep up on all the other pretty things she is doing at her blog.

Here’s one of my pretty new bags!  They are quick to sew up and I think I did three of them in less than two hours. 

Shopping Bag 

I just raided my fabric cupboard for pieces that were big enough.  Have fun with your fabric selection – they don’t have to match!

Shopping Bag 

Of course you are going to need more than one bag - at least I know I did!

I made this one with some leftover fabric from a quilt I made for Cali.

Shopping Bag 

Don’t you think she is going to look darling at college carrying this bag…

Shopping Bag 

…on this bike!  She’s just going to wish mom had bought the groceries for her!

Cali Cruiser 

You know how I feel about pretty.  So, if you are going to use a reusable shopping bag, it might as well be a pretty one.  And it just might help you remember to use it!!

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Finding 50}Days 12-18 — your homebased mom
January 24, 2010 at 3:01 am

{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

1 MomBabe January 18, 2010 at 5:28 pm

those are WAY cute!

2 Joan January 18, 2010 at 5:51 pm

That’s the one thing I hate about having my supermarket shop for me and deliver my groceries to my kitchen…they put everything in plastic bags! I do reunse a lot of them, but often they have stickers attached that make it impossible to use them. What a waste! But I’m no longer to shop. Alas!

3 Handy January 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm

beautiful bags amazing idea

4 Lorilee January 18, 2010 at 6:45 pm

So cute. HEB has some that are really cute and seasonal. I have two with Texas wildflowers on them and one with a rooster. I adore that pink bike!
Blessings,
Lorilee

5 Heather January 18, 2010 at 6:48 pm

I love your new shopping bag. I can’t wait to check out the pattern. I had been thinking about making some out of old tshirts but this bag looks much better thanks for the link to the pattern

6 Marm January 18, 2010 at 6:58 pm

Love the pretty bags. After I got a “pretty” bag I did better at remembering. The other thing that helps is folding it up and putting in my purse (I have a fairly big purse) right after I empty it. I don’t forget nearly as often.

7 Donna D. January 18, 2010 at 7:08 pm

I wish I had the talent in sewing so I can do a bag or two. I sure can use them when I go shopping. Thank you for the idea at least maybe I can find someone to make me some.

8 Jen H. January 18, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Where did you get the cute fabric?

9 Leigh Anne January 18, 2010 at 8:15 pm

The fabric was just part of my “stash” I think it is Amy Butler fabric and if I remember right I got it at a quilt store in Sisters, Oregon but I have seen her line in many quilt stores or you could get it online probably. I have had it for a couple of years though but Amy Butler comes out with wonderful new lines every year. I am sure any of her fabric would make darling bags!!

10 Jill January 18, 2010 at 8:39 pm

I just made two of these over the last two weeks and love them!

11 Karimomtofourgirls January 18, 2010 at 8:50 pm

I love these!!! I think I’m going to make them for Mother’s day! Your fabric is super cute too. thanks for the idea.

12 Donna D. January 18, 2010 at 8:57 pm

Does someone have the pattern that they are willing to share with me. I’m coming down to Celebrate Portland on the 30th. You can give it to me then. I’m in Cathy Keathley unit. I’m a consultant but I’m coming as a customer so I can scrapbook. So Cathy will know where I’m setting. I would love to have someone make me a couple of these bags so I need the pattern.

Thank you sincerely
Donna

13 Stephanie January 18, 2010 at 9:36 pm

One can never have enough bags! Those are the cutest ones yet!
Stephanie

14 Holly January 19, 2010 at 8:13 am

I love your bag! That bike is too cute! How can you not look at them and smile!=)

15 Leslie January 19, 2010 at 8:27 am

I love the jane market bags–I just need to buy a sewing machine and learn to sew!!

16 Tamara January 19, 2010 at 10:42 am

Cute! Cute! Cute! Thanks for the fun idea and the pattern!

17 Lynda@meandmypinkmixer January 19, 2010 at 10:45 am

These are the cutest shopping bags I have ever seen! Now if I can just figure out how to use the pink sewing machine I bought my daughter two years ago – I’ll be set :) BTW – I love that pink bike!!!

18 Valerie H. January 19, 2010 at 10:50 am

These cloth bags are adorable and so fun to use. All the college kids will see Cali’s bag and want one too! I want to make some of these soon. Love your fun fabric combinations too. :-)

19 Tracy January 19, 2010 at 11:15 am

One word… Lovely! I cannot wait to get started with my fabric stash. I just purchased her PDF pattern. Thanks so much for the beautiful inspiration. At our grocery, if you don’t have “green” bags in your cart you are definitely out of place!

20 Linda January 19, 2010 at 2:47 pm

I’ve found some very pretty bags lately and I’m still not good at remembering to use them. Maybe I need to make it one of my new year’s resolutions this year!

21 Erika January 19, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Whoa, those are super cute. I want one! I also want that bike. And a crafting group. So jealous.

Erika
Oops! I Craft My Pants

22 Abigail January 23, 2010 at 1:10 pm

Thanks for sharing where you got the pattern!! Love it and it’s cheaper than other market bag patterns I’ve had my eye on!

23 Sarah January 25, 2010 at 1:14 pm

Those are adorable! Perfect timing too as the reusable bags I bought from Target awhile back are on their last legs. This time around I want pretty ones that are washable!!

~ Sarah

24 Cheri January 25, 2010 at 10:56 pm

I’d love one of your “pretty” shopping bags! Please let me know if you are going to sell them. Your blog is inspiring me to look for pretty everywhere….I am almost 50 and live in a house full of men (husband and 4 sons)..they aren’t looking for pretty, so I’ve become quite practical. But, you’ve inspired me. I love your blog!
Thanks,
Cheri

25 Debbie H February 2, 2010 at 7:58 pm

Love these! I made four in the last couple of days–great for gifts!

26 Debbie H February 2, 2010 at 7:58 pm

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