Sewing Project - ReUsable Bag - Navy and Taupe Squares

This is the last of the 7 inch cotton poly squares in the Navy and Taupe which I received for free.  I paired it with some navy microfiber cloth to have enough fabric to complete the project. I created two 6 square panels then serged all the seam edges. I then sewed the 2 panels together with a French Seam hiding all the raw edges which created the bottom of the bag.

Realizing that it was not tall enough and I needed handles as well I dipped into my good microfiber fabric and chose this navy.  Works well with the pattern in the squares. I cut the navy panel 12 inches wide and ironed it half to 6 inches tall.  I then measured the width of my bag and sewed the strip to be exactly the same width then serged that seam.  Now I sewed the  navy panel to the top of the squares bag with the serger then top stitched fabric to the serged edge from the top on the squares piece.

I then changed my thread to navy for the rest of the project.

I ripped my handles to 3 inches wide and 41" inches long.  I sewed them and turned them inside out.  I fold the raw edges of each end to the inside leaving me a 40" handle.  I pinned the bottom of the handle to the bottom on the first rows of squares 5" inches in from the right and left side.  I created my reinforced squares on the bottom and the spot where the handle meets the top of the bag.  The handle is top stitched on both edges for both handles.

I added a decorative stitch along the top of the bag to keep that fold in place and to add my elastic to the inside of the bag which I can use to roll up if I want it to take less space.

This bag will replace my shopping bag.  This one I made a year ago. It is polyester and is very thin but I just loved the color so I just enjoyed for as long as it was going to last.  

For information on the "My Bag" Line

UnPaper Towels - Improved

Here's the second set of UnPaper Towels I've made.  

It was great to use the serger to finish the edges very professionally. 

I paired the 100% cotton grey flannel with this winter pattern which also included some grey along with teal and cranberry.

I included 10 towels in the set - 5 of each fabric.

They measure 10x10 inches square.

There are many ways to store and use these.

They can be rolled onto the roll from your paper towels.  They cling to each other nicely and would roll off just like the paper towels used to.

Whether you have a paper towel holder that sits on the counter or one that hangs under the cupboard this roll should work the same as before.

Once used, they can be handled just the way wet towels would.  A container under the sink until they head to the laundry should be just fine.

I thought I would try recycling a tissue paper box to hold them and I think that works quite well.  This box was too shallow to hold all of them but there are deeper ones.

If they were folded in such a way that one would pull the next one out  that would be cool but maybe more hassle than its worth.

A basket, a box, a bag would all be options.

This set is 100% cotton fabric and in bright primary colors.

I paired a deep turquoise color and red.  Beautifully soft.

Again, 10 in the set with 5 in each color.  

I have tied the set with a large twill tape and added a tag to explain what they are and how to use them.

These rolls will be donated to the fundraiser to be held later this year.

Sewing Project - Pillowcase Re-Usable Bag

The bias tape on the center is a nice lavenderish color and the twill tape I used was a good color match but narrower than the bias tape. The button was a great match as well.  I used grey thread on this bag.

I made another reusable bag.  This time with a different starting point.When I was at the thrift store the other day they had pillowcases in a bin for $1 each. Some I got for $.50 each. I chose a few microfiber ones and brought them home.  I liked this one because of the pattern in the fabric. 

The advantage is that the side seams and the folded bottom are already done for you. The side seams were nicely serged so totally ready to go. I just checked to make sure they were still intact. I cut the band at the top of pillowcase off. I placed the cutting pattern near the top edge where I had cut opposite the folded bottom edge.  I did add an inch because now I will have to stitch the seam at the top of my handles.  Again, I created finished seams. I chose a camouflage twill tape for the center of the bag and chocolate brown twill tape around the sides of the handles.  

This makes a bigger bag because the width of the pillowcase is wider than the ones I made earlier. The overall height of the bag from top of handles to bottom is 23.5".  The width is 20.5 inches and the measurement from the bottom of the handles to the bottom of bag is 16 inches.

I added a beige button with some narrow black elastic to keep it rolled up. 

As you can see it folded up it is still quite big but it will hold more stuff.

It takes all kinds to make the world go round so I am happy with the result because it is less work and time. 

The microfiber fabric in this pillowcase is pure luxurious feeling. Because I am using opened packages of bias tape sometimes I miscalculate if I have enough.  On this one I thought I did not have enough wide stuff so I put narrow twill tape on the outside of the handles and later realized I would have had enough.  Not undoing the seams.

I used a white elastic from a face mask but I am not sure how long it will last.  The elastic is quite soft and may need to be shorten over time. Glad I did not buy any of this elastic.

I offset the button and elastic because the bag was wider than the previous ones.  It needs more folds to get it narrow enough to be held in place by the elastic. It means though that it will hold more stuff.

The seams again on this one are at the top of the handles and are completely finished with no raw edges showing.

The fold on the bottom means you will not have seams wearing out on the bottom.Really like this one. 

Measurements: Total height is 24" T x bag is 16" T x 21" W

This microfiber fabric is thinner than the previous one.  A bit of a darker grey. This was by Utopia Bedding.  It was nice to keep the thread the same for this bag.

I chose this jade green color of bias tape but it was very narrow.  I had to iron it in half before I sewed it in.   I had to be very careful that I caught both sides the margin for error was very small. 

I will be glad to use up the stash of bias tape but the irregularity of the stuff I have creates challenges.  

Having tape in the neutral color would be helpful but it likely would make for a more boring bag. Would that be a bad thing?  It is really a utilitarian object.  Pretty is nice.

I think this button was a decent match to the bias tape and the black narrow elastic was better than white.

Again this one is quite big and needs extra folds to get it into a decent size for the elastic.

Measurement from top of handles to bottom is 24 inches, the bag itself is 15.5" tall and the bag is 20 inches wide.

With the less sewing because of the sides and bottoms already done these went pretty fast to make.  To donate, less time is better.