Way back in 2007, I purchased one of these cotton shoppers to play my part in reducing the amount of plastic bags that were used in the UK. No doubt you will have seen the bags before and hopefully the campaign made some impact on you. Here’s a reminder of why the campaign began:
- 10 billion plastic bags were being used per year in 2007
- In 2007, 1/3 of the UK adult population regarded reusing shopping bags as something you would do as part of an ‘alternative lifestyle’
- A charity named “We Are What We Do” partnered with Sainsburys/Whole Foods and designer Anya Hindmarch to create a campaign selling cotton shoppers for £5
(Stats from We Are What We Do).
5 years on, it seems people have adopted thrifty lifestyles and you aren’t considered some hippy/cheapskate if you take a few carrier bags to the supermarket. In fact, it’s now the thing to do. More and more shops have cottoned on (‘scuse the pun) to the reusable bag trend and people are buying bags ‘for life’. To add to that, the upcycling trend is in full swing.
So, what happened to my bag? I used it religiously until the straps began to unravel and it eventually gave up 3 years later. Not bad for a fiver. I cut the slogan off the bag and decided I would create a new bag so the thrifty slogan could continue its life.
Here is my upcycled bag in all its handmade glory 
(It really needs an iron, sorry!).
I used some calico to make a basic cotton shopper and stitched the slogan part of the original bag on the front. The straps are floral ribbon which I received in first my Crafty Creatives Subscription Box.
What do you think of my bag in its new form? Have you upcycled anything lately?
claireabelle x
I have shared this post over at Handmade Harbour, come and check out the other crafters!
I love this bag! Yours and the original! It’s so fantastic that this is the way our lives are going!
I still have mine
I don’t know about you but the queues to get one were a bit crazy. It’s great that you have reused it.
I love it – was only suggesting to my Mum yesterday that she should do something similar to a bag that she loved but has worn out
(great minds obviously think alike!)
Oh yes, I love giving new life to something old!
Always makes me feel virtuous in a way.
Ooh what lovely bags! What a great idea!
Your bag is lovely, especially the straps. I love that your old bags got a new life.
Lovely bit of upcycling there.
I love this bag. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/free-bee-sweet-hat-pattern-crocheted.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Great idea. I wonder how many more years life you have given to your bag.
Hopefully lots more! The ribbon straps are really strong.
I love a good upcycle! Great you got to give your bag a new lease of life!
Such a good idea
Great idea and definitely in the spirit of the original
Brilliant. I love how you’ve used the original and kept the whole theme going too.
Thanks Wendy, I hope it lasts another few years. At the moment it is holding my current crochet project.
Nice to see it lives on….
What a great way to re-cycle the wording and to remind people….plastic bags are out!
Such a pretty idea to use ribbon. If only the mass produced supermarket versions could be made lovely. Joanna x
Thanks Joanna! It’s really strong ribbon too, so should hopefully last for my straps!
It looks brilliant! You’ve done a fab job, I love the ribbon handles, adds a nice “pretty” feel
xx
I have a stack of mending/up-cycling projects to do, same old story … need more hours in the day
Ah thanks. The ribbon is so pretty isn’t it?
I always wanted one of those bags and never managed to get one! You have done a fab job of extending the life of yours
I did queue to get one back in the day! It was a really big and strong bag for a fiver.
Love you bag, the handles are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Ali x
Amazing idea, reuse, recycle, relove it!!
I love bags like this, that’s a fab way to keep the slogan going too.
It’s fab! Great idea to continue it’s useful life
LOVE IT!!!!! Very very pretty!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Great make-over. Thank you for sharing at Shabbilicious Friday.
This is fabulous! The handles are a nice touch!
Great idea! We’d love to see your projects on Hobzy, where you can share and connect with others who share your hobby. http://hobzy.com/
Can you sign up without using a Facebook account?