I put these felt grocery bags together this week for Love Bug.
During her kitchen play, Love Bug frequently fills up a small paper grocery sack (actually an apple tote) with all kinds of play food and carries the food to and fro. But, the paper sack isn’t going to last much longer. Plus, when I got this idea, I knew they were going to be so cute. So cute, in fact, we might have to share them.
The bags are also a part of Love Bug’s Halloween costume. But, more on that in October.
The How-To
The bags are constructed of bolt felt from JoAnn’s Fabric in Target bag beige. I chose to double up the fabric to give it a better weight.
Here are the measurements:
Plus two 10 x 3/4 in straps, per bag. Again, doubled up for strength.
First, I used the zigzag stitch to connect the two layers for each panel. I used the zigzag stitch because I liked the look. Because the felt stretched and shifted a little, despite my pins, I trimmed the crooked edges. It’s not cheating.
With the doubled-up panels, I pinned the wrong-sides (inside-the-bag sides) together and, using the straight stitch, connected them.
Then, I pinned the bottom to the four panel rectangle again with the wrong sides together and again, used the straight stitch to connect it all. I did trim more shifted felt after connecting everything. I like clean edges.
For the handles, I used the presser foot as a spacer guide and stitched two lines per handle. I attached the two handles right across from each other.
Now for the Target symbols. The bags are completely okay without them but because they will be used for a costume, the bullseyes were part of the project.
I used heat bond to connect the Target symbols. After ironing on one side of the heat bond, I used a circle stencil to cut out the shape and then ironed it in place. Because Love Bug gets a little curious about the durability of things, I did a red stitch to make sure the bullseye doesn’t move.
And there you have it, a felt grocery sack, ready for play and Halloween.
And Love Bug has already moved into the bags. Her ‘moneys’ are safely stored inside.
New Look
So the blog looks different, no? I finally got all the parts together for the new picture and the new layout (thanks to a very patient and kind helper, BH). There are still some items I need to add to and finish but they will come in time.
And, finally, Facebook.
You can find a page for this heArt of mine on Facebook now. I will be posting updates to the blog there so feel free to stop by and drop a message. I love hearing from you!
Have a great weekend! Happy Friday.
-amy c
