Bag Evolution

My reusable market bags have achieved a new milestone in their evolution--the ability to stand upright.

I made this "Un-Paper Bag" from a Purl Bee pattern. The outside and lining fabrics are from SewGreen, and the handles are Chocolate Lollipop from Anna Maria Horner.

It's a simple bag, but the pattern involved very precise measuring and cutting. I had to rip all of the stitches out at one point and re-cut the fabrics. The lining fabric is a pretty loose weave, so it gave me the most trouble.

The tricks to getting the bag to stand tall are the heavy-weight interfacing in the lining, a plastic insert in the bottom of the bag, squaring the botton of the bag by adding two seams, and LOTS of ironing.

I'm hoping that this bag will work well for holding egg cartons and wide-bottomed milk cartons, though it looks like it might prefer to hold a bottle of wine, some cheese, a loaf of French bread, and a bunch of big-headed Gerbera daisies. I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind helping me clean up after that photo shoot!