Homemade Knit, Sew and Crochet: 25 Home Craft Projects. Ros Badger

odd worn patch or moth hole on a much-loved cashmere jersey.

      

       Bag-in-a-bag

      Plastic carrier bags are a definite no-no for style and eco reasons. This homemade replacement is strong enough to carry lots of heavy groceries, light enough to fit in your handbag, and über-stylish.

       You will need

       1m (39in) in any standard width of strong fabric that isn’t too thick or heavy; or use an off-cut measuring 64 × 80cm (25 × 32in)

       Cotton thread for machine sewing

       20–30cm (8–12in) ribbon

       A pretty button

       To make

      • To make the bag, cut out a rectangular piece of fabric that measures 80 × 46cm (32 × 18in). This includes a 1.5cm (½in) seam allowance.

      • To make the straps, cut two strips of fabric, each measuring 54 × 9cm (21 × 3½in). Fold in 5mm (¼in) on each side to the wrong side and iron flat. Then fold each strap in half lengthways (so that the pattern is on the outside and the folded edges are facing inwards), and machine topstitch all the way along.

      • For the top edge of the bag, fold in one of the longer sides of the main piece of fabric by 3mm (