Shopping a little greener

I love the cloth grocery bags my local grocery store has given us lately but I have a silly thing about using a branded bag at another store. Plus I really would like something cuter. When I saw this fabulous heavy cotton fabric at Ikea this weekend I decided to make my own.

I used a paper grocery bag as my pattern & it couldn't have been easier to sew up. I then decided to add a few extras like top stitching the corners to give it more shape & reinforcing the square bottom with a stiff plastic liner.

I also gave it slightly longer straps so I can wear it over my shoulder but not so long that it will hang on the ground if I hold it in my hand. I plan on cutting out a few more tonight & have an idea to add tabs so it can be folded into a 6-inch square that snaps together for easier storage.