osewme

I've made grocery bags from farm feed bags for my daughter & she loves them. A lot of feed/bird seed come in bags that are made with woven polypropylene. Here's a tutorial on how to make them.

http://fresheggsdaily.com/2012/01/ma...-bag-tote.html

There are other tutorials online but I like this one. Some use a portion of the bag to make the handles but I prefer to use webbing for the handles. I get these bags all the time with my feed.

Irishrose2

If JoAnn's still sells Trigger fabric, it is strong enough. 60" wide cotton/poly. Strong and wears like iron.

yel

i just use uph fabric and make the drag bags ....when i get tired of one i just whip up another and gift the one i am tired of

lynnie

Joanns carries the fabric by the utility fabrics n several colors. I need to make some for my husband. He does the shopping and needs a few, he's getting support themed bags.

JustAbitCrazy

I made my grocery bags from canvas. I prewashed/shrunk it, so my bags are very washable. Love them! They carry alot of weight, don't tear, don't tip over on the way home. I made boxed bottoms on them.

pahega

I don't know what kind of fabric is used at those stores, but I have made a couple of bags like the one pictured for grocery bags and use pet screen and fabric. My daughter loves them. They are very sturdy.

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tkhooper

I have several of the commercial ones. As they were out I'm making totes that fit my lifestyle better. I'm a pocket person and I like having a solid bottom.

ziegamomma

My bags are made of rip stop nylon and are stored in a small nylon bag a little larger than a 2 pound bag of sugar. I have 6 of them. They came from Eddie Bauer, but I don't think they sell them anymore. I am asked all the time where I got my bags.
The grocery store sackers love them because they are clean, easy to load and are incredibly strong. The best part is that I throw them in the washer and they dry in minutes. Studies have shown that reusable bags are germ cities and I don't want my food going into dirty bags. The grocery checkers and sackers tell me most bags are so nasty and stinky they don't want to touch them.
I keep one of the bags folded in my purse so I don't have to use bags when I shop at other stores. They are great bags and would be easy to make.

Sew Freak

Thanks for the help everyone! I want to make some g-bags for the kids for Christmas. I think I'll try both the canvas and the fabric at Walmart....but I also want to check into that Oly cloth.

madamekelly

I carefully cut apart a plastic shopping bag and used it as a pattern. I made thirty shopping bags for my two DD's with my "borrowed" pattern, in quilters cotton, before discovering that the cotton does not hold up well to constant washing. I wash mine after every use, so I will be making all others using woven 100% polyester that I bought at a second hand store for all others.