Sunday 27 April 2014

"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag

I love reusable shopping bags, I simultaneously have loads and never enough - how does that work?
Sometimes we get lucky and are given them at open days and events and though it's nice to have another bag they are not always the prettiest things on the planet. To fix this I have a cunning plan and a stash of fabric scraps that I keep "just in case".
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
In the past I have just covered the fronts with a piece of fabric or two.
Shopping bag makeovers
See how the fabric covers the writing, I don't mind about the inside!
Shopping Bag makeovers
Can I just point out here I would never cover something promoting a charity or the like, if a bag was sold to raise money and awareness I would use it with pride. Government departments, not so bothered!
The one I have had most compliments on is this one with the ruffles.
ruffled shopping bag
So when this bag came my way (and obviously I have nothing against the Centre for the History of Medicine at Warwick Uni but do I want it on my shopping bag?) I thought I could given it a makeover and redo the ruffle idea.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag

What to make one? It's not difficult! This is what you will need:
A plain or unexciting shopping/tote bag
Scraps of fabric
Sewing machine
Thread
About 30 minutes

First rip the fabric into long strips each about 1.5" wide. Ripping is fine, at least the strips will be straight and the fraying will add to the shabby chic look!
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
Make a straight line horizontally on your bag where you want to ruffles to start from the bottom. Pencil is fine, no one is going to see it (mine had the box round the writing so I used that as a guide and didn't need to draw a line)

Get the handles out of the way, I pined mine up so they didn't get caught in the sewing.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
Pop the bag under the sewing machine needle, right side facing, starting at a side seam. Line up with your pencil line, grab one of your strips of fabric, pop it under and do just a few stitches to hold it in place.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
Now you just pleat as you go, the photos show it best.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
I folded under about 1/4 inch every inch or so, you can do more or less, it's up to you. The more you fold the more strips of fabric you will need, and the more frilly the bag will end up.
When you get to the end of a strip, just pop another one under with a bit of an overlap and carry on.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
When you get back to the beginning, just cut off any of the fabric strip remaining and get ready to join the next layer along side.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
I overlapped the strips very slightly as you can see. I kept the same thread colour, for speed and because I think it looks quite nice!
That's it, just keep going round and round as many times as you want. I stopped when all the writing was covered.
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
It was completely unintentional but when it was finished I thought this bag had a bit of a "Cornishware" look to it.
I love Cornishware, so much that I have a pinterest board dedicated to it! When I was little we went to Cornwall most years on holiday and I remember visiting a pottery factory, maybe that's why.

I had a few strips of fabric left and had just seen a lovely little flower by Paige from A Dose of Paige so decided to give it a go. 
Shabby chic fabric flower
I doubled up my blue and cream fabric strips, tied a knot and just started twisting and glueing, following Paige's tutorial. This is pretty easy and fun but do be careful as glue gun glue gets REALLY hot - obvious I know, but when you are concentrating on the twisting apparently it's easy to forget!
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
I attached a safety pin on the back and now have a removable flower to add more shabby chic charm to my shopping experience!
"Cornishware" Ruffled Shopping Bag
The bag was a freebie, the blue fabric was from an old shirt and the cream fabric was a old duvet cover that had trim which had gone all bobbly. My lovely new bag didn't cost me anything but time and a bit of sewing thread, whoop whoop!
You might also be interested in:
Lace Top Refashion
Lace Top Refashion
Infinity Loop Scarf
Infinity Loop Scarf
Easy to Sew Top
Easy to Sew Top
Tea Towel Totes
Tea Towel Totes
I'll be linking up to all these great link parties, why not go and have a look!
Sum of their Stories
Sum of their Stories

Hello, I'm Julie. I love making things and this is where I share my enthusiasm.

41 comments:

  1. Love this idea! What a great tute. I'd love to see you join us at the Inspire Us Thursdays link party on www.theinspiredwren.com.

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  2. I wish I'd thought of that before! I had a ton of bags from banks and such and could have saved them instead of giving them away. Maybe I still have a few...

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    1. You'll have to dig through the boot of the car, or bottom of your wardrobe, see if you can find an odd one or two that escaped the big give away!

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  3. Very cute and a great way to make a basic bag look so much more interesting than the normal ones. Thanks for sharing with Countdown in Style!

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  4. What a lovely bag-the Cornishware design is fantastic. Great job re-purposing something that might otherwise have been thrown away.

    My weekly Say G’Day linky party is on now so please pop by and join in if you have a minute. This post would be a fabulous addition!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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  5. SO super cute! I love how you showed how to make the pleats. That's what I was curious the most with. Great job!

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    1. I'm sure there are fancier ways of making pleats but as this is,after all, just a shopping bag I didn't want to spend all day making them. Once you get a roll on it is pretty quick and easy. Glad you like it.

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  6. Gorgeous bag and lovely idea! Thanks for sharing!
    Have a fabulous week!
    Hugs from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  7. Very cute! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams on Fridays :D Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party

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  8. Super idea, we all have those scraps and bits of leftovers, and those bags are just so in need of cheering up x

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  9. What a great idea to spruce up the freebie bags and for sharing how you did it too (I may have to try that soon) Have a good week.

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  10. So super cute! I will have to give this a try. Love the little rosette. You do have to remember that hot glue is well...hot. I have burned my fingers many times! Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Ha ha Robbie, yes it was a bit of a "DOH" moment. Normally I'm pretty careful, but my cute little flower was appearing before my very eyes and I just lost concentration for a minute there!

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  11. Wow you could sell those on Etsy! I definitely wouldn't have thought it was the bag you started with. So beautiful and creative those ruffles you added on there! Thanks for sharing this one with us at Countdown in Style, too!

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  12. I love how you up-cycled a plain printed bag into something sooooo worthwhile! Everyone should do this! We should have a party..... :)
    Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration......
    “hugs” Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

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  13. I so love a great repurpose, and these bags are great! Love all the pretty additions, And they inspire others to bring their own over plastic, Who wouldn't want to use one after seeing these!

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  14. Ohh, I love a bit of upcycling and this idea is super cute! Thank you so much for sharing a fantastic idea x

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  15. Thanks Brenda, I do much prefer a reusable bag and they can just bung in the washing machine too. I try to roll one up in every handbag so I don't end up with that horrible situation when you've just popping in to the shops for a few bits and realise you have no bags with you and are forced to take a plastic one - how annoying is that?!

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  16. I love, Love, LOVE this idea! You are so right that we get all kinds of bags which really aren't fun to use. My Hyundai and insurance company bags just don't make it. But you have totally brought these bags to a whole new level and they would be so much fun to make! Pinning!

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    1. Thanks Thea. I agree, you don't necessarily want to rock an Insurance company bag round the supermarket or farmers market do you! Cover it up with something pretty!

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  17. This is too stinkin cute!!!! I pinned it to our DIY Sunday Showcase Talent Board!!! Thanks for sharing with us!
    Shelly-minettesmaze.blogspot.com

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  18. This is so cute and a great way to use up some scraps of fabric. Pinning this now.

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    1. Ooo Kimberlee, now you've said that I'm picturing one all muticoloured with all sorts of different fabrics, I'll just add that to my "to do" list! Great idea!

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  19. Love this! I too can never have enough of the reusable bags and would love to dress mine up! Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing at The Makers!
    Corey @ TinySidekick.com

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  20. This is adorable! I'm so glad you found my tutorial helpful! I wish I could learn to sew. I tried with my sewing machine and it was a disaster. lol.

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    1. Hello Paige, I'm so pleased you stopped by the see the flower you inspired/taught me how to make.

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  21. Wow, super idea and very pretty!!

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  22. I love the colors!! Thanks for linking up to Create LInk Inspire, you are featured today! I've spread the word all over my social media and tagged you where possible! WOuld love a reshare or the like ;o) Happy Weekend. Emily

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    1. Thanks so much Emily, I've been busy sharing as much as my limited social media skills allow!

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  23. I love the colors you chose, this bag is adorable!

    Nancy at Hungry Enough To Eat Six

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  24. Oh I absolutely love this! Thanks for linking up and I'm pinning to the Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday Highlights Board. :)

    www.kammyskorner.com

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  25. this is so cute I want one thanks for sharing.

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  26. That bag turned out great! I think I might be able to make one of those!

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  27. Such a lovely bag. I adore those ruffles!

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  28. Love this !! Thank you for linking up @ Monday Handmade Linkup Party!!!

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  29. Wonderful blog, and great product. I will put a link to this product from my site www.canvasetc.com. we sell cotton duck both natural and dyed that would work well for this.

    You can use coupon code ce07242015 for additional 5% off
    Chuck

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