Morsbags
 

Anyone out there making morsbags ? Sometime ago my group made quite a lot, then I moved.Now I have started up again after joining a local craft group through the U3A.Most of the ladies cross stitch,knit or emboider,I am the only one doing patchwork/quilting.However people have started donating fabric-- old curtains etc.It is fun,keeps me busy and hopefully when the bags are given away -- free-- will help stop the use of plastic shopping bags.Any Morsbag makers out there- Hi- it would be lovely to hear from you. Love Letty.

What is a morsbag?

I didn't know what they were either but a quick Google search came up with this. http://www.morsbags.com

Hi, hopefully some of you will see this message,I know that there are many 'pods' making these bags in the U.S.A. it is so im[portant that the use of plastics is reduced.Those of us that love fabric I am sure could take up this cause and get sewing ! Love Letty

I just looked at the website but haven't yet gone any farther. They look very interesting but I need to watch videos etc. when my brain is at it's clearest o:))) Notice I didn't claim it was ever totally clear. Between fibrofog, age and tiredness the poor old thing has to go to bed these days much earlier than my grandchildren. Subscribed to so I can easily check back. Joyce in DE

Great idea! I have only used reusable shopping bags for years. Last year my daughter and I made reusable produce bags for bringing home fresh produce rather than plastic bags and get compliments on them every time I go to the grocery store. Just be sure to use see through mesh so the checkers can see the produce codes.

What a great idea.....I love the idea of randomly giving them out ....on the quiet (I am a bit shy sometimes). Sort of like the Guerilla Gardening that goes on. Think I shall order some labels and get "morsbagging" (with a quilty theme of course).

thank you for giving heads up on this. I am starting on one.

Great project!

That is great !!! I give them out to neighbours .Also I belong to the local U.3.A , I'm sure that is known in the U.S.A too.It means the University of the third age, groups of people over the age of 50 who meet to share knowledge ,ranging from languages,art, crafts, history and walking sports etc.Now of course it includes computor skills.My craft group starts at around 50 yrs to 86yrs.We have coffee mornings plus a speaker, that is when I also give out Morsbags.It is never too late to start to be aware of saving the planet,plus those who can't sew often donate fabric such as old curtains.Spread the word. Love Letty.

I make what I have always called grocery bags. I know that a city in California called Santa Monica has banned plastic bags and I expect Los Angeles to follow suit. They are not difficult to do but my best friend showed me. I have to look at mind to remember how to make them. She found the instructions somewhere on the web.

Looks like a good use for fabric you like but you aren't quite sure what to do with it. I carry a canvas shopping bag full of stuff I need to my Dr visits. It wouldn't hurt to make a few for shopping too.
Rodney

cool thanks.. nice bags, but I would line them for strength.. maybe quilt them, not that is an Idea..

I love bags, but want to share that if you use them for groceries, especially produce, be sure and wash them
between trips to the grocery store to keep from contaminating fresh fruits and veggies :eek:

I've been making bags out of jeans and slacks for quite some time. They are basically the same a all these fancy named bags. Maybe I should post a pattern named "Grannie Bags" @@. And I could get rich off it.

I make my bags from jeans, slacks and skirts. Generally they are heavy enough without lining. I have lined some. I have also inherited some drapery cloth, upholstery cloth and they make great bags without lining.

I took most of my measurements from the easily destroyed bags that the groceries sell. Mine are big longer and the straps are a bit longer, too.

I was thinkin' longer straps,too!

Where are you located? We have to pay for our grocery bags at the store (Poland), so we generally bring our bags. I have some in my purse...they fold up really small.

And I don't wash them between trips to the store. I fold it back up and put them back in my purse.

I really can't imagine washing them between shoppings.

Seems like the extra water needed for washing would eliminate any environmental + in using reusable bags.

My city banned plastic bags last year. Have to pay 5 cents for every paper bag used. Need to make some of these bags. Never have enough and it is very hard getting use to bringing the reusable bags into the store. Most of my bags I can just wipe out with a sanitized cloth between trips if needed.

Fun gift idea but more expensive to make vs. paying $1 or $2 for re-usable bags. Which I still forget to bring with me. I may have to make some tho. Stash busters!! Thanks for clueing me in.

Sandy

Maybe this will help get my stash under control. I think I will look for a local pod that will like to sew together.

I think I will get started right away and make some for gifts for my girlfriend weekend.

Yes, I found the site last year and demoed it at a guild meeting...I like it because each side is the size of fat quarter so no measuring, and easy to make. I keep one folded up in my purse...you never know...... Think I will make a few more to pass out to friends....

I have made a few of these over the past few years, most recently I used a Morsbag to wrap a gift for someone, so they not only got the gift, but a reusable shopping bag as well. I usually just use two fat quarters to make it, so the only cutting is for the handle.

Morsbag was a new term to me but love the idea. I have used reusable bags for years and always have some with me. Mine aren't very pretty but are definitely used. Maybe I will make some new ones and pass these on to others.

Hi earthwalker, so glad you are taking up this idea,if you cheack out the morsbags site you will get so many ideas.I give them out to neighbours, it helps the planet and makes friends too.Love Letty

Hi Sandy, I put out a request for fabric to make the bags,got old curtains etc. no need for expensive cotton fabric. x

Interesting - now how do you make a smaller one and stiffen it so it will stand up like a gift bag? The Vulcan would like one to carry and store apples in.

Great idea. I'd never heard about them. Thanks

I have ordered my "morsbag" labels - so they will be "authentic" and am casting my eyes over my overflowing piles of stash and hoarded remnants......can't be the "crazy cat lady" due to registration and shire restrictions so I'll be the "crazy morsbag lady" instead:)

I took a look around the site. I'm happy to see they're not trying to get rich off the labels. They're only .05 British pounds each.
It's a great idea but I see a lot of groups that only show one or two bags made. I hope it's just because they aren't reporting in instead of abandoning the idea.
There is the very real issue that pre-made reusable bags are incredibly cheap, I see them at check out stands for only $1 to $2 all the time. With that ease of availability for shopping bags it's hard to justify your time with so many other good causes out there. They might be good projects for things like outreach centers that teach sewing. The students could make them to either use or give away as part of the class.
Rodney

i "confess" I bought some of the dollar reusable bags a few at a time at the grocery store when they first came out some years ago. I only had to repair one at one place even after all these years. I return them to the car after unpacking, so I don't have to remember to take them each time. But thank you for these ideas because I have some leftover drapery goods that I have been wondering what to do with and this is just the thing! I also bought some nice canvas bags and put a cute ruffle and rosette on them to give my girl cousins as a favor for a cousins' reunion. Makes me feel good about using them when they're cute!! :)

Hi GrannieAnnie, you may have the wrong perception of this this idea.The lady who came up with this some years ago did so because of her distress over the marine life washed up on the beach that had injested plastic,bags in particular.She also lived on a canal boat and saw the same problem with wildlife.She came up with the idea of Morsbags to pursuade people to cut down of the use of plastic.She gets NO profit from this, only the satisfaction that her idea helps spread the word.Hundreds of groups have taken up the cause and thousands of bags have been made and given away free.O.K it is a simple pattern, that is the point, anyone with basic skills on the machine can make them, plus the heart to give them away free. All the literature ect. on the Morsbag website is free to print out if you wish to use it, the only charge is 50p for twenty labels to sew on to the bags -- this to carry on the message of her 'sociable Guerrilla Bagging'. No one is out to get rich,just maybe save the life of our precious wildlife.Letty x

Thanks for sharing. I use recyclable bags. DH went to the grocery the other day. I told him to take the bags out of the back of my Jeep. He was amazed just how many I had. When done since there was a lot of meat purchased, I threw all of the bags into the washer. Then the dryer on low heat. I have a couple that are going to need to be replaced.

[QUOTE=justflyingin;6616605]Where are you located? We have to pay for our grocery bags at the store (Poland), so we generally bring our bags. I have some in my purse...they fold up really small.

And I don't wash them between trips to the store. I fold it back up and put them back in my purse.

I really can't imagine washing them between shoppings.

Seems like the extra water needed for washing would eliminate any environmental + in using reusabl,Hi I i live in Newcastle,U.K. If you Google' Morsbags' you will find all the information you need. X

Hi Geri B. good luck with spreading the word,we really need to cut out the use of plastic --- for our grandchildrens sake at least. Letty. ''Sewers of the world unite !''