Julie's Crafty Corner: 2014

Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic. But, I would love to be able to save the world or at least have my hand in doing so.
This project started as an EDGE project for my degree at Southern Utah University. The EDGE Program is a required set of courses at SUU for anyone pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree. The intent is to help make their students more marketable by giving them an opportunity to lead out on a project that is theirs from conception through execution and reflection. The student’s project should revolve around their future goals personally or professionally.

For me, it was a way to develop my teaching skills. I came up with the project from pins I found on Pinterest. It is such an easy craft, and every bag you use instead of getting plastic bags from the store really adds up to help out our planet and its resources. I showed others how to make them and it turned out really well.

Me, giving one of the presentations. I am showing how you can fit a ton of food into these bags and they are sturdier than plastic. In this one, I have 4 boxes of stuffing, a box of fruit snacks, and a large box of cereal. And, there is plenty of room left!

Basically, you take an old t-shirt, cut off the sleeves, cut around the neckline, and then take your pick of how to do up the bottom. I like tying it since it only requires scissors. The thinner your sections are that you cut helps it to not scrunch up as much on the bottom. Also, the longer you make them, the more fun you can have with the ends like adding beads or something.
These bags don't just have to be for groceries--you can use them for a picnic, to carry towels for the beach, keep an emergency pack in your car, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Plus, if you have young ones who are learning to tie knots, this would be a great exercise for them. Then, when they are done, they would have their own toy tote.