Library bags

When I was young, in grade school I carried what my mother called, a library bag. It was a simple cloth bag that I carried library books that were given to us to read. Well, this week, out of a big piece of wild fabric, I made 6 library bags for my grand kids.

I used the Lazy Girl Designs free tote bag pattern here. It does take more fabric than other bags, but it is a nice substantial bag that is finished inside and out. I used fabric dimensions to make the bag smaller. It was easy to apply the handles and hide the handle ends. I really like this pattern and I think it will be one that I use again.

Since all the bags look alike, I took the opportunity to make little things that will hang on a loop on the handle of the bag that will differentiate the bags.

I used scrap fabric and batting and made little raw edge quilt initials and sewed a ribbon to hang on the bag loop.

And at Friday coffee, one of the Friday girls, Vivian was cleaning out her sewing room and brought a give away bag of things. Guess who took home most of it... ME. This inspired me to make "Bling on a String" danglies to hang on the loop of the bag too. Thanks Vivian!

Now the next fun part will be to fill these bags with things that will be fun for the travelling part of the trip.

I hope the kids will like them and re-use the bag later for something else.