Free shopping bag

Last year I picked up a gazebo roof at Peterborough Showground, which someone had discarded after a caravan and motorhome show. The trade stands leave their piles of junk lying around and I can't resist rooting through them to see what can be salvaged.

The other day I got it out of my garage, spread it out on the ground, and cut it up into massive blue and white triangles, discarding all the seams. Although it was in quite good condition, hardly used, I scrubbed a blue piece with soapy water and hung it up to dry. It cleaned up nicely, now what can I make with it?

I tested a small piece to see if it would go through my new sewing machine without breaking a needle, and if the stitching would be strong enough to hold a bag together without tearing. It looked fine to me.

Next get a carrier bag to use as a pattern, lay it out on the floor and cut round it. A bit of decoration would be nice. I used a stencil to cut some letters out of the vinyl offcuts I have, and stitched these on first. Then sew up the sides, and make a fold in the bottom to give it some width, copying the plastic bag.

Next I cut two pieces matching the shape of the handles and stitched them to the inside of the bag to reinforce them. Here is my bag, I know the letters are higgledy piggledy, and the sewing is not perfect, but I think this adds to the fun of the bag. It is obviously home made, a message I am proud to convey to others at the supermarket. The cost? Nothing.