Ready to go Shopping?

With the new bag restrictions in Bellingham (what was advertised as no more plastic bags - is actually a bit more)!  We're required to charge for paper bags now too, so it's definitely time to stock up on reusable shopping bags. Sure, you can buy the ones you see in the grocery store...but isn't it more fun to make your own? We've got some ideas....this first one is an exclusive Two Thimbles pattern, called the Roll Up Market Tote-Bag. We've blogged about it before... it takes about a yard of fabric and rolls up nice and small to fit in your purse. No excuses for leaving them in the car then, right?

The tote on the right is called the Go Green Bag from Mountainpeek Creations...pretty appropriate fabric, don't you think? We're almost out of it, but we did make up a few kits...and there are too many other fun possibilities to personalize your bags and choose funky combinations you might not put in a quilt! This tote isn't as roll-up friendly because of the heavy interfacing used to stabilize it...but that stiffness makes it perfect for toting heavier items - it is the same size as a brown paper grocery sack. 

The bag on the left comes from a tutorial which you can find here. It rolls up and ties with a little ribbon that you stitch into the topstitching. Everything is done with French seams, so no raw edges in this unlined bag! And of course, I couldn't resist using some of the new Halloween prints...

On a side note... we had to share this darling pillow that one of our super-creative customers shared with us! Isn't that stitchery darling? Especially with that little pop of color in each person...too cute!  This is her interpretation of a $$$ catalog option - and what fun to have bragging rights that you 'made it yourself'!  Need the perfect gift idea for someone - this could be just right?  

Happy Stitching!