Crafterbation

Well, I didn’t get enough of these recycled bags the first time around so I decided it was worthy of another post. After another google flurry I came across this incredible how to video from Make:

Bre Pettis of Weekend Projects teamed up with Anda of Etsy to not only explain how to fuse old discarded plastic bags, but sew them up into a sweet messenger bag using a pattern designed by Federico of Eeio. The video is short and sweet but covers the entire process. Make sure to grab the pdf for all the details along with the plans for the bag.

I can’t tell you how stoked I am about this project. I was just discussing with my friend Rhea the other day about how I wanted to make my own messenger bag as opposed to dropping close to a buck fifty for a Chrome bag. Although I totally covet those bags, I have really been wanting to make my own, that would perfectly hold a load of groceries, and my library books when I’m out running errands. Maybe this podcast will be enough motivation to actually complete one! 

Fused plastic bags made a huge splash last summer on a number of blogs. Their popularity is kind of a no brainer. They are a great way to reuse all the plastic bags everyone seems to collect far too many of, and they are pretty simple to make. I’ve seem some great tutorials for these on esty labs and on craftster. The process is pretty simple, you layer together 6-8 layers of bags and sandwich them between paper, then use an iron to fuse the layers together. The result is a durable fabric, similar to tyvek, that can be cut and sewn into whatever you like.

The above bag was an experiment by betz white. She created this design using some clear bags and flower and star shapes she cut from some colored bags. Given the nature of the process you can fuse whatever shapes or designs you choose right into the “fabric.”  I have been excited to try this process out, but due to both my overzealous use of reusable bags, I have no plastic bags! Hardly something to complain about, I know. Now I just might have to track down someone who does.

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One of my favorite shopping bags, is the fold up one that I got last summer at Target. I have a few of them actually. They are designed to fold up into this little zippered pouch that is about the same dimensions as a check book. When the bag is open that pouch turns into a little pocket on the outside of the bag. Pretty much genius, right? They’re super handy because you can stash a few in your bag when to head out the door to go shopping, or just keep them there so your never without a bag or two.

I guess I’m not alone in my love for this type of bag. Karla posted a tutorial on whip up on how to create your own.

She simplified the pattern to use velcro instead of a zipper which I like a lot better because sometimes the zipper can get caught on the bag when I’m trying close it in it’s collapsed form. I love the addition of the bias tape to trim out the pocket, and don’t even get me started on that great sheet fabric. Super cute!

Another great take on this same idea is this tote bag from the fine ladies at stitch lounge. It condenses down teeny-tiny by rolling it up and securing it with a bit of snap tape. They even included a downloadable pattern. via Craft:

I have been wanting to make a bag like one of these, literally for years. I remember these great cotton string bags my grandmother used to always have in the back of her station wagon when I was in grade school. She’d use them for her library books or groceries, and they were the perfect little bags. 

So ever since I picked up knitting again about 7 years ago, I have been in search of a great cotton string bag. Well, I think I’ve finally found it.

Designed by Elisa of 2nd Floor the pattern is available for free over at the purl bee. She calls it her “No More Plastic Bag, Thank you!”  I love it, it seems just about perfect. 

I am also a big fan of these similar crochet bags by H-Star of frayed at the edges. This pattern has been on my crafty to-do list for well over a year, but I never quite got around to making it. I’ve also stumbled across a couple other great knitting and crochet patterns for great mesh bags. Check their links out below.

The Everlasting bagstopper over on knitty, has sewn in handles and a simple drawstring cord woven in along the bottom to keep your bag neat and tidy when not in use.

The Reduction Tote Bag from crochet me has a clever little pocket designed hold your wallet and keys while you shop, then later cleverly inverts to stash the whole bag into for compact storage.