Monday, March 23, 2009

Selvage Shopping Bag

I love tote bags. I've been using reusable canvas grocery bags for 17 years, but many stores now accept a bag you bring in, so I decided to make myself a shopping bag. Many of these new bags have a small loop on one side so the checkout person can keep the bag open. For general shopping, a big grocery-sized bag is too big, so this one is smaller and, of course, made from selvages.
The body of the bag is from one big piece of fabric; the sides are sewn and the bottom is "boxed." I made a lining, to keep the inside of the bag neat. After that I added a small loop, and then long handles, as I like to carry the bag over my shoulder.

I used a few dark selvages on the bottom of the bag.Here you can see the giant polka dot fabric lining, and the handles.The bag is 13" tall, 11" wide and 5" deep. The handles are 24" long.


***For those of you who want to make one of these, go right ahead. You don't need my permission. If you want a tutorial, I'll make one, but it will take me a few days (since I am a member of the working world), so have patience. In the meantime, do some thinking about how big you want your bag to be, your handle length preference and select fabric for lining, the straps and the foundation for the selvages. And gather your selvages. They'll need to be at least 18" long.

15 comments:

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I love it! Do you mind if I copy you and make one?

Ariane said...

I love your new bag. I love the way you paired the colors of the selvages. It really makes it look sharp.

Fabricmom said...

What a cute bag. There isn't another one out there like it for sure. great job.

Sharon said...

I'm a few posts behind, I love the seminole pieced doll quilt. I have rows and rows of bands and always wondered what to do with the ends, they don't all line up. I guess cut them off, add border and bind. Yours is wonderful, I'm inspired to finish mine now!
Thanks
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Lots of selvage projects strike me as pastel-y and a little bland, but your color choices are gorgeous. I'm so glad you shared.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

I love it.

Lisa said...

I love this! I have a pile of selvages just waiting for a project.. mmmmm...

Mr. Karate said...

wow mom, i LOVE that bag. the gradient down each side is beautiful. I really like the ruler on top.

So cool!

Carrie P. said...

How great is that bag!

Kelli said...

Hello!
I saw your site on Roxy's dog blog! My owner girl just loves those bags they are soo unique and lovely!
:) Tibby

Lynda said...

I have seen other uses for selvedges, most of which are ridiculous and/or ugly. This is perfect. Must start saving my selvedges straight away!

Anonymous said...

I love the bag and would love a tut as well. I seem to have trouble making a "boxed" bottom, can't wait to see how it's done right. Thanks for sharing...Kathy

YankeeQuilter said...

Great bag! I use my fabric bags at the store all the time now...

Mrs. Joanz said...

What a great information! I'll be rounding up my selvages for my next tote! Thank you for taking the time to document such valuable info.

margburnoak said...

I love your bag!! I have seen many versions of Selvedge-constructed bags, but yours is by far the best!! I have collected over the years so many selvedges that I could make this bag probably 1,000 times over!!