bunnybum's version of a market tote...

regular tote bags just aren't big enough for a baguette, some tomatoes, carrots, leeks, chard, celery, rhubarb, bananas, etc. i am a one bag gal. no way i can handle both kids and a few bags of produce at the market. no way. plus, i like to wear my bags across my body and most commercial market bags have two small handles. i need one big strap on one big bag. that is my kind of market tote.

the dimensions are totally up to you. i made this bag huge for our almost weekly trips to the markets in subiaco. we always buy baguettes, loads of fruit and lots of big, long veggies. a twenty by twenty inch massive bag is what i need. i have made many smaller versions of this same bag in the past. the strap length stays the same, just change the body dimensions if you'd like. easy peasy.

use a 1/4" (ish) seam allowance and wash, dry and iron your fabric before sewing.





























there you go. add a pocket, use a patchwork strap, add a button closure, box out the bottom, whatever. it is your bag. this is a great project for large remnants, vintage bed linens or whatever else you have in your stash. i like to use crazy prints for my linings and solids for the outside. the craziness is my little secret.

a big old tote bag with a long old strap. use, abuse, wash and use some more. i know i will.