Use it Up and Useful

I don't think I've ever paid $10 for a pattern until last week. I have wanted to make my own reusable grocery bags for a while but didn't really have a pattern in mind. I have enjoyed the Oh Fransson blog for quite some time. Her sewing is so professional and so are her patterns. She has lots of downloadable patterns that are free and recently she made a paper or plastic pattern for sale on her etsy site. Since I had some money sitting in my paypal account I thought I'd buy this pattern. I am happy to report that the pattern instructions and pictures are fantastic and the end product for the "paper" bag is wonderful. I've been making them all this 4th of July holiday. My goal is to make 10. I think that should get me through my grocery shopping trips. My second goal is to use up the large pieces of fabric that have been sitting in my stash for years. Much of it is fabric I wouldn't use otherwise and so I feel like I'm being responsible in so many ways! The other really nice thing about these bags is that you can fold them and tie them to store. I plan on making a tote that will hold all the bags (and hang from my grocery cart) and just store them in the car. I'm really thrilled with the pattern and feel it was worth the $10. I'm happy to pay a real live person what she is owed instead of some mega corporation.

In other news, I'm still working on that hand quilting. I'm almost finished with the 2nd block. I may finish it before the end of summer and just use it in the house this winter!