Bags galore
 

Well these are a few of the bags I've made so far to bless friends and family. In Australia from 1st of July our groceries will not be packed into plastic bags anymore so everyone will be in need of reusable shopping bags. There are a few more but I think that's enough to post today. I mainly used orphan blocks for the front panel, only the 2 with the Australian motives were fabric I had especially bought as the bags went to friends overseas.
Thanks for looking and you all have a lovely week-end!!!
Blessings!!!

Very nice.

What a great idea. All the bags are unique and are a wonderful gift.

you've been very busy

Wonderful bags! You sure have some beautiful left over blocks!!

WOW, great bags!

Gorgeous bags. Very nice way to use up orphan blocks.

Your bags are great. What a perfect idea for orphan blocks.

My goodness, you have been busy. They all look great. I do like the second one the best. Good job.

You have made them so they will want to use them. They are lovely.

Very pretty bags. You are very generous with your time and fabrics.

Great use of orphan blocks. all so pretty......

You have been a busy beaver. What a practical use of orphan blocks. I like all, but my favorite is the one with colorful birds.

What a beautiful thing you are doing by making these bags. They are all so pretty that it's hard to pick a favorite.

I’m sure all who receive them will be happy

Australia is to be commended for such an edict! What a fab idea.
Your bags are beautiful.

Very nice!

Terrific bags! You've been really busy~ :)

Good use for orphan blocks.

My favorites are the Disappearing Hour Glass and the one with the blue handles. All are lovely and for a good cause.

well done!! wonderful use for our test blocks.
Plastic bags really are a plague upon the earth!

Great bags. I really like the brightness of the second one. Don't forget to post the others.

very nice on all!!!

Very nice! Did you have a certain size you wanted to make them and did you line them? I have shopping bags that were purchased for a few dollars and need to be replaced.

I just adjusted the size depending on the front block, some are smaller, some are a little larger. When the block seemed a little too small for my liking that's when I added the coloured borders ;) and yes they're all lined, makes them more sturdy for heavier shopping :)

Great bags and such a wonderful gift to family and friends--especially because they are made by you! They will certainly love and use them.

Elfi2: Thank you for the information.

Do you have a pattern recommendation for the bags? I always make the ladies where my husband works something for Christmas, and these would be perfect. Thank you for sharing these beautiful bags with us.

I have a stack of medium size pizza boxes (not used!) that I got from the local pizza guy. I keep my practice blocks in them. I write on the cardboard ('xmas' 'patriotic' 'black/white' 'blues' 'ugly') and stack in them the blocks that I was trying out a new pattern, a new color combo or just the extras from a top. Whenever a holiday comes up or I need a quick gift, I use one on a tote bag as a gift or as the gift bag. You can fold one in half and it is the perfect size to hold a wine bottle! The person receiving it thinks of it as an extra gift when I am actually using up my 'trash'.

An easy way to figure out a good size for the bag is to check out the boxes in your kitchen. Maybe a large cereal box? Measure the front and include half the sides and bottom, add a seam allowance and there you go! Make an outside and a lining, square the bottom corners, add straps and you are done. Also, if you want more of a messenger bag, simply add a flap and attach to top before you attach lining. If you google tote bags, there are many free patterns available.

Those are fantastic ! Who wouldnt love them.

Your bags are beautiful & useful. I wouldn't mind at all if our county/state did away with plastic shopping bags. Saves the environment, and as you've shown, gives a good excuse to do more sewing!

I love all your beautiful bags.

They are beautiful.

Nice bags, and Yay for Australia. I wish the states would stop using plastic bags.

Love them. BrendaK