Christmas Gifts: Grocery Totes

I got a little out of control at the end of my gift making. With less than a week left, I thought it would be a good idea to make everyone grocery totes. I mean, there were dozens of little treat bags and everyone needed something to carry their stuff home in and I didn't want to foist plastic bags off on people and how much time can 10 totes take to make anyway?

I made mention that I might need a 12 step program and was ever so gently told by a friend that I needed at least 13 steps.

Anyway, for last minute totes, I was pleased at how they turned out. The pattern couldn't be simpler and it turns out that 60" cotton duck comes in a rainbow assortment of colors. Instead of cutting two 18"x20" pieces, I cut one 18"x40" piece. That way, I didn't have to sew the bottom seam.

After the bags were assembled, I thought it would be a good idea to embroider the word "groceries" on each one. It gave the bags a finished sort of look, but it would have been so much easier to have embellished before the bags were done.

One side story I'd like to share: I chose to make these assembly line style. I cut out all the parts for 10 bags, I ironed all the handles into shape and about halfway through the handle stitching, my little Singer decided that it was done and locked up. I checked the bobbin. I blew on every surface I could get at. I searched and searched for something that might be gumming up the works. No dice. Talk about a panic moment! I called my mother-in-law, Kronk, and asked if I could borrow her spare machine.

I had forgotten how nice it is to sew with an Elna. Even the low end Elna that Kronk loaned me was a joy to work with after my economy model Singer. Ah, to one day own a grand machine for sewing.

In any event, these bags were a huge hit and made giving gifts (and bringing them home) super easy. I'm now scouting the stores for interesting cotton duck or some interestingly patterned canvas or oilcloth for next year's bags.