It’s funny how people talk about not using plastic and yet the sewing machine is mostly plastic, as well as our glasses, phones, cars have plastic, clothes, water bottles…… etc, etc.
This is a great idea and a great gift for your patrons. Been making shopping bags for years now. I like to box the bottom. Gives the bag a little “stand up” stability. I’ve also made small drawstring bags for loose fruit and veggies rather than using the plastic bags off the roll provided in the produce department
I made bunting for my wedding back in 2017 - 7 years ago! The wedding was held in an old village hall here in Tasmania, Australia and we hung the bunting and some party lights from the beams. It looked magical. I am another of your subscribers who recently (through the magic of RUclips) discovered your videos, and I absolutely love them! I think you and I are kindred spirits - I love making things too!! Keep up the great videos please!
I love it that your cat is as present as mine, like Noma, I can move him out of the way only to have him plonk himself back where he was a few moment later. He has a real love of paper, and when I am painting he thinks that his paw prints are a necessary addition to the picture.
Thank you Kate for posting this pattern for the bag. I will start tomorrow making these bags. My daughter just brought me some boxes of fabric that a man was giving away that had belonged to his wife. Lots of 100% cotton, canvas, and upholstery fabric which would make nice strong floral bags. I love your videos because your hobbies and interests are like mine. 🙂
I love the way the handles are attached. I could see adding a D ring on the handle that slips into place when you flip the handles up. It would be a handy place to clip your car keys to, or even a small wallet.
My mom and I have been making these for over 30 years. We still have a couple of well loved originals. We box the corners to make them easier to use. Norma, bless her! Sewing project = cat any day. Impressive production line. I'll have to raid my stash and make a shopping bag for my 12 teaching staff. Thank you!!!
I like to sew an X over the handles where they go under the top seam for extra strength. Myabe some boning or vinyl tubing into the handles so they don't collapse on themselves; make them easier to grab. These would be fun to block or jelly print!
I forget to take my shopping bags all the time, but I'm nearly blind and sometimes try to leave home without my glasses! The only help for me will be to make a lot of shopping bags and put my daughter in charge of them. Thanks for the tutorial!
This is the clearest tutorial on making bags I've seen. I'm embarrassed to say at my age (60's) I am not a good seamstress but I might just be able to make this bag with your clear instructions. I do other crafts but never managed to learn to sew anything more than sew buttons and hems. Mother would be mortified!!! I've just subbed. Thank you.
I've not bought a plastic bag for years. I always carry 2 small fold-up bags in my handbag and have at least 6 large bags in my car-boot for when I do a big shop. I sometimes sew shoppers to give to my friends but usually in a colourful fabric and with boxed corners. I liked the added colour finish to each bag top. Your plain fabric lends itself to be painted or stencilled :)
I would love to see your tie-dye techniques :) Last night I went to the Hull Truck theatre - I used my 'going out' bag so no shop bags with me - we ended up going into the 24 hour Tesco next to the bus station and it broke my heart to have to buy a plastic bag!! I thought of you and my last comment when I was buying it haha
I can't believe the timing. I have been making grocery bags to distribute to all members of my family. I looked around to see how you are "spying" on me. But US Aquarius do tend to follow to the same tune. Thanks Kate
You're a great teacher, Kate!! This was an awesome tutorial. I love the ways that you made the bag stronger. I have OODLES of fabric, lots of which is curtain weight. I've been wondering what to do for my friends, family and neighbours who are helping us get groceries while we're self-isolating due to the coronavirus. This is just the ticket!! I have some "orphan" quilt blocks that would be very pretty appliqued on the front to customise them, or my dear husband will get a lot of enjoyment out of machine embroidering them! I live in a 2 Janome home. I do love that you use a Janome, too. Great minds run in the same channels, I was always told! xx
I've crocheted some items with plastic bags that I turned into "plarn". It's one way to re-use. We use cloth bags for shopping too. Thanks for another great video Kate! BTW...congrats on 5.8 thousand of us subbies!
The bags looked great. The size was perfect . You could place one in a handbag just in case you wanted to buy something on the spur of the moment. Who needs another bag? we all do.
What a fabulous idea I'm going to be making my own bags from now I use reusable bags but I hate that they advertise the shops on the bags now I can make ones that I like 👍
I love that we both have Janome sewing machines. Silly, I know, but it's like... even though we're an ocean and thousands of miles apart, we're somehow connected. LOL Plastic bags were outlawed in my local grocery stores some time ago. If I forget my bags (and I don't want to buy any new ones) the store will sell paper grocery bags for $.05 (I think that's about 4 pence?). They aren't allowed to give them for free any longer. I love your videos. Thank you!
united by many common things! I think k the awareness about plastic bags is getting through to folk - its a start - but there is so much more to be done. one bag at a time! xxx
In California, plastic bags are outlawed. It took a bit to get used to cloth bags, and I do miss them for trash can liners, but, it's now a point of pride to bring them with us wherever we go. My favorites are bags made from feed bags. They're big, extremely strong and frankly fun with pictures of horses, chickens, pigs, etc.
This was a great 'candle lighting' video...."You can curse the darkness, or you can light a candle" is one of my favorite quotes. Your knitting group had the right idea. I'm happy to say a few of the major grocery chains in the US have announced they will no longer provide the plastic bags, and a couple cities no longer allow single use plastic, such as the dreaded water bottle, it's a beginning!
Plastic supermarket bags are banned in Australia. Plastic straws are also disastrous and have gone from supermarket shelves and are no longer available in bakeries, cafes etc.. Now to get rid of plastic packaging. So many food products are unnecessarily swathed in plastic and foam containers. Love your cat, Norma, by the way!
Hi Kate, I've just discovered your videos last week and I am hooked! My mom and dad came from Scotland to the US as teens, so it's a bit of a treat to hear your British accent. You are like me...trying every craft there is. Keep giving us your videos!!
What a nice lady . We need more people like you in this world . I’m going to make one of these . Right now . Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 and I have subscribed . Love it and love the simplicity of you. Just love it. Xxxx
Hi Kate! I'm the original bag lady for sure 🤣🤣 I've been making & distributing my cloth grocery bags to friends/family for years. Here in Oz we're all aware of damage to the environment from plastic so we are trying to do our bit to cut out the use of plastic for shopping bags. Thanks for the great vid. Keep up the good work. Cheers from down under!!
Thanks Kate. As I use public transport I always have bags with me when I go to the supermarket. It’s second nature now. As you said, you can customise them. I would probably box the corners. I find the bags easier to carry then when walking up the street from the bus stop!!!👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
Thank you, thank you! Yes, the world needs education. Well done, Kate . Living in Oregon we are seeing shifts from plastic bags to paper. Reusable bags very popular. Now, how do we encourage sewing machine manufacturers to back to metal....sad, plastic is plastic in many forms....urrrg!!! Well done!,
Thank you for this tutorial. Just yesterday, the food pantry at my church asked for reusable tote bags for their clients. I remember watching this video a few years ago and here you are. Fortunately, I have 2 bolts of heavy fabric in my stash that I can use for them. You are so helpful, even later on.
Thank u for ur activism..... we all need to do more. To give my bags more strength for hauling heavier items, I run the handles all the way around the bottom and up, they take up the weight.
Had no idea how straightforward that could be, what a great idea. My order arrived last week, all in good order. I see now what the attraction of the liberty fabric is. It’s beautiful.
I sometimes think people (who?) make things seems more complicated that they really are - this stuff is so simple - when you break it down into steps - like most things - have a go! xxx
I love that Norma magically appears❣Oh the music was grand! I sewed myself one recently from an old bag that I didnt want to discard the artwork (from Somerset Studio magazine, two goddesses!). I cut out and folded a scrap of very dark leftover denim from my mom! Turned out beautifully! I've never done a French seam, but I will next time. You are such a great teacher my new sister/friend! You make your sewing machine sing 🎶🎼🎵
Hi kate, I too have been making my own shopping bags for awhile now. I also made small netted bags with a drawstring for the fruit and veg. I used mosquito netting and it works a treat. Love your videos 💜
Hi from Missouri USA! That's a neat bag. I made several bags strictly for my shopping. I keep them in the car, where they usually are when I finish shopping and I ready to check out. I think I need to make myself a new brain that can remember my bags.
I do that sometimes too. Try putting them in the front seat with you when you head out to the store, or wherever you put your purse. When we see them they are easier to remember
Thank you for this tutorial. Plastic bags were banned many years ago in Europe and supermarkets don't give them anymore , instead they give you a compostable bag in non-plastic material , but it's a single use product. A cloth shopping bag can last for years especially with the french seams you showed. I've been using them for a long time and it became an habit. You can fold it and put it in your hand bag and have it ready in any circunstance.
i put my shopping bags in the car all the time, so i will never forget them. as well, gave to friends and other people Christmas gifts - shopping bags all from old beautiful curtains so they love to use them as well. bless. the superstar in this video is yr beautiful cat. bless. nice weekend.
Just watching about shopping bags. During lockdown my hubby done the shopping cos I didn’t go out as I looked after dad and my hubby still went to work. He always gets boxes and puts shopping in those so no bags. He still does shopping today. The boxes of course go to plot for covering weeds in veg beds. So that my alternative. We also have a milkman deliver our milk in glass bottles. We do no dig and permaculture type growing sharing the land with nature. So that’s our bit of helping our world. X👍💜
Hi Kate I was seriously waiting for Eileen to show up at the end for some camera time... Those bags are really nice. I think I'll have my niece whip me up a few. Got my head spinning with ideas for gifts for my neighbors. I see them hauling in plastic bags all the time. Great informative video. Thanks bunches
Great bag! Drooling over your sewing room! I sure miss mine! Now I have the kitchen table and a wall in the kitchen of my unfinished 500 square foot off grid home. Going to make bags for shopping and fabric napkins for our home.
Thanks Kate- easy pattern and so worth the effort. I’m not at all surprised you made and gave many away. I’m making bags to give all my family, I think I’ll square off the bottoms and put longer handles on half of them. They can carry one on their shoulder and two in their hands - - love, love, love your pattern. 😀🌺 Bye Kate. 😻
yes - I customise mine sometimes with two sets of handles on one bag for optional carrying. and boxing the corners is an easy next step - well done! xxx
Loved your tutorial I love french seams do them all the time on all bags especially drawstring as I use them a lot in doors for storage and in my sewing room. Will be watching more of your tutorials your a no fuss woman which is what I like. A woman after my own heart. 😍
You make it look so easy! Thanks. I ditched plastic many years ago. I keep my bags on the floor behind drivers seat to keep them handy at store. I couldn't shop without them. My conceince wouldn't let me rest by using plastic. Lovely to see how Norma helps! :)
Nice bags! I get or have lots of old curtains, tableclothes... of heavier fabric I sew bags of it. In a bag 50 x 50 cm (about 20 x 20 inches) I can put my whole shopping stuff.
I just found you. Congrats on 6K... I liked the video. I'm saving all kind of videos that show different types of bags and am collecting fabric, so that I'll make a bunch of them for Christmas gifts, soon. Thanks for adding your great bag to the collection. Hopefully we are influential in getting rid of plastic.
Dear Kate, I love the tutorial. I am always carrying a reuseable bag in my purse and I need it so often. There are some well not bedsheets but the other set of covers to put on the bed to sew some bags from. Also possible to use it to pack a gift with. xoxo from Germany, Stephanie
Thank you Kate for a great tutorial and idea of dyeing the fabric for fun...and the enjoyment of seeing a bond with a cat. I have a box of really old dye still unused.. Stephanie you were not talking about using bed sheets but I have some sturdy ones probably not good enough to donate I can use to make bags.
HI Kate, This bag video is wonderful. I've already sewn a lot of cloth bags. But I think this French hem and the two-fold stitched straps provide more stability. I will definitely resew this bag. But only when everything else is done that is on my list. ..... I think that can take time. Greetings to all your "roommates". Big hug Claudia
enjoyed this just found you on youtube. I made 8 much smaller versions of this style bag 3 yrs ago for my 8 grandchildren out of Halloween fabric and they still use them now for gym shoe bags ballet bags etc but it was their trick or treat bag back then...great idea and a super stash buster as well.
I was in Market Harborough the other week and a kind lady gave me a lovely Morsbag! Since then a friend has given me some offcuts of cotton curtaining fabric, ideal for making bags. I like the way you have french seamed the sides before you do the turning down and handle attachment bit (the Morsbag tutorial does it the other way round) and the way you've shown will help manage the bulk as I am using a heavier fabric. Thank you for a great video. I am going to make lots.
Thank you for this! What I’d do is sew a big X over the handles as well in the casing. I do that on my tote bags and it really helps reinforce the handles. I have a wedding project I need to sew for But after that’s done I am gonna make these shopping bags!
I made these bags at the NEC about 6 years ago, and been making like this since.. while in lockdown I have made them out of old sheets and duvet covers and given them away to anyone who wanted one , l make them to put presents in instead of paper at Christmas etc , Love sitting on Sofa and having a natter x
Wow !!! Wonderful, I'm going downstairs to grab some fabric and start in !! I've already set up my machine on its table! Have to go out side and put in many plants, ....but I'm ready, already put dinner in my crock pot!...Thank You Cate, I'm inspired😉. Jan L.
Jan - that is GREAT - and if you can leave your machine all set up - you can strat a production line and just sew for a few minutes when you have them in-between times - excellent!! xxx
Thank you for thinking of our planet. Where I live you get 5 cents for each bag you bring in to use. It is not much but it is something. I hate all the plastic they use for containers for food, it piles up so fast. Very nice and easy bag to make, thanks.
Thank you Kate! Love Norma, her story is amazing! I have made a few bags over the years, patchwork ones, for friends and charity, they are really easy to make and are a good contribution to stopping plastic waste. Many blessings x
Lovely bag and equally lovely story about your knitting group. Years ago I purchased the 'Jane Market Bag' pdf pattern and made one for everyone on my Christmas list but I really admire your efforts to putting plastic bags out of business. Here in the US there are more and more places where plastic bags will soon be illegal and people will have to provide their own bags and no doubt that will help a lot. One type of bags that will still (sadly) be around are the very thin bags offered in the produce departments. In this country we really need to get a movement going to do away with those. Thank you for the video, the great story and sharing the free pattern. Hopefully you have inspired many, many people to make their own market bags.
a few people have mentioned these thin produce bags - so I think that might be the next thing to research and make for ourselves! - we'll do it - one bag at a time! xxx
Good Afternoon, Kate, and of course the ever-present Norma. Really great tutorial and for all the right reasons. And you're creeping up on the big 6K - how exciting!!
isn't that crazy! for a little channel with a cat to have so many lovely subscribers - I think it's Norma in fact - she should definitely get star status! bless her! xxx (dribbling all over me as i type - delightful! xxx)
Wonderful episode of Crafting With Norma. I already know how to make bags, just wanted to spend time with the host and her lovely friend!!
crafting with Norma- perfect alternative title for this channel! xxx
I have to tell you. Norma doesn’t bother us at all! We love her ❤️ plastic is a huge problem. If we all do what we can it helps. TFS
It’s funny how people talk about not using plastic and yet the sewing machine is mostly plastic, as well as our glasses, phones, cars have plastic, clothes, water bottles…… etc, etc.
You are really a nice lady alongwith good manners ,nice attitude n smiling face....
This is a great idea and a great gift for your patrons. Been making shopping bags for years now. I like to box the bottom. Gives the bag a little “stand up” stability. I’ve also made small drawstring bags for loose fruit and veggies rather than using the plastic bags off the roll provided in the produce department
yes - boxing the corners would be an easy next step - I think small produce bags is next on my 'make' list - I need to find some suitable cotton xxx
Aww, Norma ❤. Ive a rough week binging your videos helps so much. Thank you, Kate!
Thank yoe so much for this Videodemonstration about "Hoe to sew a shopping bag". It helps me really much. I am writing from Germany, Upper Bavarian.
this is how one of my cats behaves when I'm on video meetings. It made me laugh out loud. Thank you Norma
I made bunting for my wedding back in 2017 - 7 years ago! The wedding was held in an old village hall here in Tasmania, Australia and we hung the bunting and some party lights from the beams. It looked magical.
I am another of your subscribers who recently (through the magic of RUclips) discovered your videos, and I absolutely love them! I think you and I are kindred spirits - I love making things too!!
Keep up the great videos please!
I love Norma's contributions!! ❤
I love it that your cat is as present as mine, like Noma, I can move him out of the way only to have him plonk himself back where he was a few moment later. He has a real love of paper, and when I am painting he thinks that his paw prints are a necessary addition to the picture.
Thank you Kate for posting this pattern for the bag. I will start tomorrow making these bags. My daughter just brought me some boxes of fabric that a man was giving away that had belonged to his wife. Lots of 100% cotton, canvas, and upholstery fabric which would make nice strong floral bags. I love your videos because your hobbies and interests are like mine. 🙂
that sounds like ideal fabric to use Tammy - a little stronger too! good luck with your production line xxx
I love the way the handles are attached. I could see adding a D ring on the handle that slips into place when you flip the handles up. It would be a handy place to clip your car keys to, or even a small wallet.
My mom and I have been making these for over 30 years. We still have a couple of well loved originals. We box the corners to make them easier to use. Norma, bless her! Sewing project = cat any day. Impressive production line. I'll have to raid my stash and make a shopping bag for my 12 teaching staff. Thank you!!!
thats a great gift! xxx
I bought cotton bags with a cord for a few euros. There is a label attached so that they can deduct the weight of the bag from the total weight.
that is a clever idea! xxx
I like to sew an X over the handles where they go under the top seam for extra strength. Myabe some boning or vinyl tubing into the handles so they don't collapse on themselves; make them easier to grab. These would be fun to block or jelly print!
Thank you from America,, Yorktown Hreghts, N.Y. I will make as many as I can and give as gifts to use all my fabrics before I leave this earth.
I forget to take my shopping bags all the time, but I'm nearly blind and sometimes try to leave home without my glasses! The only help for me will be to make a lot of shopping bags and put my daughter in charge of them. Thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you, superb idea.
You can also make corners in the bottom (so that your bag stands up) by sewing across by 3 or 4 inches.
This is the clearest tutorial on making bags I've seen. I'm embarrassed to say at my age (60's) I am not a good seamstress but I might just be able to make this bag with your clear instructions. I do other crafts but never managed to learn to sew anything more than sew buttons and hems. Mother would be mortified!!! I've just subbed. Thank you.
Thank you Kate! And Arnie and Carlos!
I add a bit elastic to the side at the bottom. That way you're able to roll them up and use the elastic to keep them neater. Thank you for sharing!
I've not bought a plastic bag for years. I always carry 2 small fold-up bags in my handbag and have at least 6 large bags in my car-boot for when I do a big shop. I sometimes sew shoppers to give to my friends but usually in a colourful fabric and with boxed corners. I liked the added colour finish to each bag top. Your plain fabric lends itself to be painted or stencilled :)
I was thinking how great they would look dyed - I might make that a summer project xxx
I would love to see your tie-dye techniques :)
Last night I went to the Hull Truck theatre - I used my 'going out' bag so no shop bags with me - we ended up going into the 24 hour Tesco next to the bus station and it broke my heart to have to buy a plastic bag!! I thought of you and my last comment when I was buying it haha
I can't believe the timing. I have been making grocery bags to distribute to all members of my family. I looked around to see how you are "spying" on me. But US Aquarius do tend to follow to the same tune. Thanks Kate
yes - it's the Aquarian vibe Glorian - we should start a club! xxx
Pressing makes the fabric so much easier to deal with make you work go quicker in the long run love the bag I use my reusable bags all the time
You're a great teacher, Kate!! This was an awesome tutorial. I love the ways that you made the bag stronger. I have OODLES of fabric, lots of which is curtain weight. I've been wondering what to do for my friends, family and neighbours who are helping us get groceries while we're self-isolating due to the coronavirus. This is just the ticket!! I have some "orphan" quilt blocks that would be very pretty appliqued on the front to customise them, or my dear husband will get a lot of enjoyment out of machine embroidering them! I live in a 2 Janome home. I do love that you use a Janome, too. Great minds run in the same channels, I was always told! xx
A friend sent me a reusable bag out of a used large t-shirt. Cut off sleeves, cut the neck larger, and sew bottom edge together!
I could not be happier, seeing you sew shopping bags for a fantastic cause. I will pay it forward. ❤️❤️
I've crocheted some items with plastic bags that I turned into "plarn". It's one way to re-use. We use cloth bags for shopping too. Thanks for another great video Kate! BTW...congrats on 5.8 thousand of us subbies!
the numbers are growing aren't they! it's lovely to have so many sweet people here on the channel! xxx
I love this shopping bag. I would also box the bottom to give it depth. Nice job.
I was just thinking the same thing!
I would box it too because this bag is far too deep for a normal person. It would dragg on the floor!
The bags looked great. The size was perfect . You could place one in a handbag just in case you wanted to buy something on the spur of the moment. Who needs another bag? we all do.
That's so nice of you Carole,,,,,,,,,, hello 👋 how are you doing I hope you are having a wonderful day.
What a fabulous idea I'm going to be making my own bags from now I use reusable bags but I hate that they advertise the shops on the bags now I can make ones that I like 👍
Love the bags! Adding a square bottom could be another nice modification.
I love that we both have Janome sewing machines. Silly, I know, but it's like... even though we're an ocean and thousands of miles apart, we're somehow connected. LOL
Plastic bags were outlawed in my local grocery stores some time ago. If I forget my bags (and I don't want to buy any new ones) the store will sell paper grocery bags for $.05 (I think that's about 4 pence?). They aren't allowed to give them for free any longer.
I love your videos. Thank you!
united by many common things! I think k the awareness about plastic bags is getting through to folk - its a start - but there is so much more to be done. one bag at a time! xxx
In California, plastic bags are outlawed. It took a bit to get used to cloth bags, and I do miss them for trash can liners, but, it's now a point of pride to bring them with us wherever we go. My favorites are bags made from feed bags. They're big, extremely strong and frankly fun with pictures of horses, chickens, pigs, etc.
I've seen these, and they're great. "XX Layer Mash" brand, lol.
That's so nice of you Janice ,,,,,,,, hello 👋 how are you doing I hope you are having a wonderful day.
This was a great 'candle lighting' video...."You can curse the darkness, or you can light a candle" is one of my favorite quotes. Your knitting group had the right idea. I'm happy to say a few of the major grocery chains in the US have announced they will no longer provide the plastic bags, and a couple cities no longer allow single use plastic, such as the dreaded water bottle, it's a beginning!
You are a neat lady. I’m glad youtube has recommended this video!
Plastic supermarket bags are banned in Australia. Plastic straws are also disastrous and have gone from supermarket shelves and are no longer available in bakeries, cafes etc.. Now to get rid of plastic packaging. So many food products are unnecessarily swathed in plastic and foam containers. Love your cat, Norma, by the way!
Hi Kate, I've just discovered your videos last week and I am hooked! My mom and dad came from Scotland to the US as teens, so it's a bit of a treat to hear your British accent. You are like me...trying every craft there is. Keep giving us your videos!!
welcome Patricia! xxx
What a nice lady . We need more people like you in this world . I’m going to make one of these . Right now . Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 and I have subscribed . Love it and love the simplicity of you. Just love it. Xxxx
Hi Kate! I'm the original bag lady for sure 🤣🤣 I've been making & distributing my cloth grocery bags to friends/family for years. Here in Oz we're all aware of damage to the environment from plastic so we are trying to do our bit to cut out the use of plastic for shopping bags. Thanks for the great vid. Keep up the good work. Cheers from down under!!
Thanks Kate. As I use public transport I always have bags with me when I go to the supermarket. It’s second nature now. As you said, you can customise them. I would probably box the corners. I find the bags easier to carry then when walking up the street from the bus stop!!!👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
yes - boxed corners would be an easy next step - make them as individual as you like! xxx
Hi
You are tireless. I can't believe your energy. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your pattern! Norma approves as well. She is such a lovely cat.
Thank you, thank you! Yes, the world needs education. Well done, Kate . Living in Oregon we are seeing shifts from plastic bags to paper. Reusable bags very popular. Now, how do we encourage sewing machine manufacturers to back to metal....sad, plastic is plastic in many forms....urrrg!!!
Well done!,
yes - you're right - plastic is EVERYWHERE! but every little helps xxx
Thank you for this lovely video. A good cause, a silly cat, and a charming chat.
Thanks for the reminder to do our part. I dug through my stash and made 7 bags this week. Love this pattern. 💚💗
I wish I would have seen this video before I bought some from Amazon, but this is still great for making as gifts. Thank you Kate. 🌺
Thank you for this tutorial. Just yesterday, the food pantry at my church asked for reusable tote bags for their clients. I remember watching this video a few years ago and here you are. Fortunately, I have 2 bolts of heavy fabric in my stash that I can use for them. You are so helpful, even later on.
Thank u for ur activism..... we all need to do more. To give my bags more strength for hauling heavier items, I run the handles all the way around the bottom and up, they take up the weight.
that is a very good idea xxx
Had no idea how straightforward that could be, what a great idea. My order arrived last week, all in good order. I see now what the attraction of the liberty fabric is. It’s beautiful.
I sometimes think people (who?) make things seems more complicated that they really are - this stuff is so simple - when you break it down into steps - like most things - have a go! xxx
I love how you you stitched the handles in, and French seams are my favorite.
I love that Norma magically appears❣Oh the music was grand! I sewed myself one recently from an old bag that I didnt want to discard the artwork (from Somerset Studio magazine, two goddesses!). I cut out and folded a scrap of very dark leftover denim from my mom! Turned out beautifully!
I've never done a French seam, but I will next time. You are such a great teacher my new sister/friend!
You make your sewing machine sing 🎶🎼🎵
Hi kate, I too have been making my own shopping bags for awhile now. I also made small netted bags with a drawstring for the fruit and veg. I used mosquito netting and it works a treat. Love your videos 💜
Great idea. X
Hi from Missouri USA! That's a neat bag. I made several bags strictly for my shopping. I keep them in the car, where they usually are when I finish shopping and I ready to check out. I think I need to make myself a new brain that can remember my bags.
I do that sometimes too. Try putting them in the front seat with you when you head out to the store, or wherever you put your purse. When we see them they are easier to remember
Aww... Norma wants to say hello, little love
I'm enjoying watching your lad and his girl! xxx
I am glad you are enjoying their vlogs, yes they are such a cute couple if I do say so...lol xo
Lovely! I would box the bottom corners, as well.
You were ahead of your time making and sharing reusable cloth bags! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
“Don’t worry about it, just be bold.” Best advice ever.💜
Thank you for this tutorial. Plastic bags were banned many years ago in Europe and supermarkets don't give them anymore , instead they give you a compostable bag in non-plastic material , but it's a single use product. A cloth shopping bag can last for years especially with the french seams you showed. I've been using them for a long time and it became an habit. You can fold it and put it in your hand bag and have it ready in any circunstance.
exactly - we have to make it a habit like you say - we can reverse this plastic invasion - one bag at a time! xxx
Sorry I’m so wrapped up in the plastic issues I forgot to say what a great job you did on your grocery bag, very nice job for sure, again thanks 👍❤️😊
Loved your demo thanks. I’ve been making bags from fabric samples I find in the charity shops..works well, easy to find and very cheap.
i put my shopping bags in the car all the time, so i will never forget them. as well, gave to friends and other people Christmas gifts - shopping bags all from old beautiful curtains so they love to use them as well. bless. the superstar in this video is yr beautiful cat. bless. nice weekend.
You could stencil a great motto on it, too. Or fancy designs..
First time watching your channel. Loved seeing Norma. Your instructions are so easy to understand.
A fabulous easy project for anyone to make..thank you Kate and assistant Norma 😘💐
Just watching about shopping bags. During lockdown my hubby done the shopping cos I didn’t go out as I looked after dad and my hubby still went to work. He always gets boxes and puts shopping in those so no bags. He still does shopping today. The boxes of course go to plot for covering weeds in veg beds. So that my alternative. We also have a milkman deliver our milk in glass bottles. We do no dig and permaculture type growing sharing the land with nature. So that’s our bit of helping our world. X👍💜
I love you😘 Norma!! I will be using less and then zero plastic bags!
Hi Kate I was seriously waiting for Eileen to show up at the end for some camera time... Those bags are really nice. I think I'll have my niece whip me up a few. Got my head spinning with ideas for gifts for my neighbors. I see them hauling in plastic bags all the time. Great informative video. Thanks bunches
Great bag! Drooling over your sewing room! I sure miss mine! Now I have the kitchen table and a wall in the kitchen of my unfinished 500 square foot off grid home. Going to make bags for shopping and fabric napkins for our home.
Thanks Kate- easy pattern and so worth the effort. I’m not at all surprised you made and gave many away. I’m making bags to give all my family, I think I’ll square off the bottoms and put longer handles on half of them. They can carry one on their shoulder and two in their hands - - love, love, love your pattern. 😀🌺 Bye Kate. 😻
yes - I customise mine sometimes with two sets of handles on one bag for optional carrying. and boxing the corners is an easy next step - well done! xxx
I think I will make some for Christmas & use denim with a recycled jean pocket on outside for decoration. Thanks Kate, great, simple instruction.
Loved your tutorial I love french seams do them all the time on all bags especially drawstring as I use them a lot in doors for storage and in my sewing room. Will be watching more of your tutorials your a no fuss woman which is what I like. A woman after my own heart. 😍
Love your channel. Your positivity is inspiring. ❤️
Kate, you are wonderful. Thank you so much for the tutorial...please keep them coming...
You make it look so easy! Thanks. I ditched plastic many years ago. I keep my bags on the floor behind drivers seat to keep them handy at store. I couldn't shop without them. My conceince wouldn't let me rest by using plastic. Lovely to see how Norma helps! :)
Nice bags! I get or have lots of old curtains, tableclothes... of heavier fabric I sew bags of it. In a bag 50 x 50 cm (about 20 x 20 inches) I can put my whole shopping stuff.
Love Norma. I too have made have that fold and I carry everywhere.
I just found you. Congrats on 6K... I liked the video. I'm saving all kind of videos that show different types of bags and am collecting fabric, so that I'll make a bunch of them for Christmas gifts, soon. Thanks for adding your great bag to the collection. Hopefully we are influential in getting rid of plastic.
it is small acts like this that all add up - so getting the word out and making small changes - all of this adds up and is important! xxx good luck
Dear Kate, I love the tutorial. I am always carrying a reuseable bag in my purse and I need it so often. There are some well not bedsheets but the other set of covers to put on the bed to sew some bags from. Also possible to use it to pack a gift with. xoxo from Germany, Stephanie
Thank you Kate for a great tutorial and idea of dyeing the fabric for fun...and the enjoyment of seeing a bond with a cat. I have a box of really old dye still unused.. Stephanie you were not talking about using bed sheets but I have some sturdy ones probably not good enough to donate I can use to make bags.
She’s such a beautiful cat 🐈 ❤ great bags TFS
HI Kate,
This bag video is wonderful.
I've already sewn a lot of cloth bags.
But I think this French hem and the two-fold stitched straps provide more stability.
I will definitely resew this bag.
But only when everything else is done that is on my list. ..... I think that can take time.
Greetings to all your "roommates".
Big hug
Claudia
What is french hem ? Sorry for asking but I am a raw learner .
Watching the video, you can learn how to stitched a French hem.
Dear greetings
Claudia
@@JAYASHREE-h9n she demonstrated the French seam. It is when there are no raw edges showing. They are all encased.
enjoyed this just found you on youtube. I made 8 much smaller versions of this style bag 3 yrs ago for my 8 grandchildren out of Halloween fabric and they still use them now for gym shoe bags ballet bags etc but it was their trick or treat bag back then...great idea and a super stash buster as well.
yes - you really can adapt this simple pattern to any size and use! xxx
I was in Market Harborough the other week and a kind lady gave me a lovely Morsbag! Since then a friend has given me some offcuts of cotton curtaining fabric, ideal for making bags. I like the way you have french seamed the sides before you do the turning down and handle attachment bit (the Morsbag tutorial does it the other way round) and the way you've shown will help manage the bulk as I am using a heavier fabric. Thank you for a great video. I am going to make lots.
Thank you for this! What I’d do is sew a big X over the handles as well in the casing. I do that on my tote bags and it really helps reinforce the handles. I have a wedding project I need to sew for But after that’s done I am gonna make these shopping bags!
November 18 2022. Great idea to use fabric and give out. Strong yes and ample enough. Size and French seams great.
Thanks for the lesson!! Love you lime green top!!
I made these bags at the NEC about 6 years ago, and been making like this since.. while in lockdown I have made them out of old sheets and duvet covers and given them away to anyone who wanted one , l make them to put presents in instead of paper at Christmas etc , Love sitting on Sofa and having a natter x
Wow !!! Wonderful, I'm going downstairs to grab some fabric and start in !! I've already set up my machine on its table! Have to go out side and put in many plants, ....but I'm ready, already put dinner in my crock pot!...Thank You Cate, I'm inspired😉. Jan L.
Jan - that is GREAT - and if you can leave your machine all set up - you can strat a production line and just sew for a few minutes when you have them in-between times - excellent!! xxx
Thank You! You make it look so quick & easy to do, Kate! I love this bag!
Thank you for thinking of our planet. Where I live you get 5 cents for each bag you bring in to use. It is not much but it is something. I hate all the plastic they use for containers for food, it piles up so fast. Very nice and easy bag to make, thanks.
That was such a simple project but the result was great. Thanks.
Enjoyed the visit and learning more from you very much.
Thank you for sharing, what a great teacher you are. I'am gonna make some bags!! I love Norma😊❤🐱 i have a ginger🐈
I love this project, certainly one for me to make. Thanks once again Kate for the video.
Thank you Kate! Love Norma, her story is amazing! I have made a few bags over the years, patchwork ones, for friends and charity, they are really easy to make and are a good contribution to stopping plastic waste. Many blessings x
Lovely bag and equally lovely story about your knitting group. Years ago I purchased the 'Jane Market Bag' pdf pattern and made one for everyone on my Christmas list but I really admire your efforts to putting plastic bags out of business. Here in the US there are more and more places where plastic bags will soon be illegal and people will have to provide their own bags and no doubt that will help a lot. One type of bags that will still (sadly) be around are the very thin bags offered in the produce departments. In this country we really need to get a movement going to do away with those. Thank you for the video, the great story and sharing the free pattern. Hopefully you have inspired many, many people to make their own market bags.
a few people have mentioned these thin produce bags - so I think that might be the next thing to research and make for ourselves! - we'll do it - one bag at a time! xxx
Good Afternoon, Kate, and of course the ever-present Norma. Really great tutorial and for all the right reasons. And you're creeping up on the big 6K - how exciting!!
isn't that crazy! for a little channel with a cat to have so many lovely subscribers - I think it's Norma in fact - she should definitely get star status! bless her! xxx (dribbling all over me as i type - delightful! xxx)
Mi, i love the recicla bags. Thank you❤
I’m so pleased you don’t edit Norma out of your videos. ❤️🐱
I just can't bring myself to - thanks for not minding how unprofessional it all is! xxx
@@thelasthomelyhouse if it was "professional " it wouldn't be a cozy chat and visit. Your family is part of you and your home
Thank you, really enjoy watching, I'm not a machine sewer but I've got to try this xx
Love to see Norma in the videos
Excellent shopping bag. I am making some for my niece in Chicago, IL. Thanks!!