No More Wrapping Paper

Last year, our guild president challenged members to make reusable bags for grocery shopping. You should have seen the variety of bags that everyone came up with -- all sorts of fabrics and patterns. No two were alike.

I recently read a blog about wrapping gifts in reusable grocery bags instead of wrapping paper, and so I sat down yesterday to make one for the upcoming Christmas season. I used fabric from my stash (probably circa 1995) and followed the basic directions in this tutorial, but I left out the outside pocket. You can see a hint of the red lining fabric up by the handles.

This could also be made using fabric scraps -- that would certainly give the outside of the bag a neat look. Or maybe an orphan block or two. The possibilities are endless. Make up a batch and there will be no need for plastic bags anymore. Keep one folded up in your purse for the unexpected trip to the store.