WV Farm Bureau Magazine March 2014 | Page 25

bottom and cut that strip off. It will be used for handles. I look at the pattern on the front of the bag to decide what I want to show on the finished product – I like pictures of animals. Remember that there will be several inches on the bottom of the bag, so aim for a design that is printed high. This will make more sense after the nesting hen design you wanted on the front ends up on the bottom, out of sight. Turn the sack inside out. Wipe with a wet soapy rag if feed crumbs are still obvious. This is a good job for grandkids and/or husbands. Sew a seam across the bottom about a half inch from the edge; then do it again close to the first seam to double lock it. I was worried that the sewing machine needle would break, but I went slowly and eased off a little on the tension and it went fine. AND I give them as gifts to friends who laugh with delight (I hope it’s delight…). Grandmother Hatcher would probably smile, too. Becky Hatcher Crabtree lives on Peter’s Mountain in Monroe County. She is retired as a school principal from the North Slope of Alaska and is currently a substitute teacher at Peterstown Middle School. She coaches girls’ basketball and enjoys her grandchildren and numerous pets. For more information on the history of cotton fabric feed sacks: http://www.buchanancountyhistory.com/feedsack. php; http://www.rickrack.com/feedsack.html For other, possibly better, directions on how to make tote bags: http://www.communitychickens.com/2012/06/ diy-chicken-feed-sack-tote.html#.Uv91Bv3uelI [THE BEST]; http://www.instructables.com/id/Feed-Bag-Tote-Bag Fold the sack bottom in the middle and mark a line across each corner, making equal sized triangles. Stitch on each line and fold corners inward. This is the hardest part. Turn bag right side out and straighten out the corners. It should stand up on a rectangular bottom like a paper grocery bag. Make straps for handles. Use the 3-4 inch strips that were trimmed at the start. Cut in half (2 straps). Fold each in the middle; then fold each edge to the middle. I use paper clips to hold it in place. Sew one stich near the outside edge. Voila, handles. Fold down the top edge of the bag twice, center and insert the straps underneath the folded top, one on the front and one on the back and sew twice around the top catching the straps in place. When you sew the handles, this is the thickest material to be sewed, so be sure and take your time. Reinforce the straps with extra stitching, a box, an X, or just a couple of short parallel lines. Trim stray thread ends. Presto, you have a tote! If no one interrupts you wanting food or you don’t sew your finger and have to stop for a band aid, you can finish the tote in an hour. It is retro-chic, I am told and sells for $10 and up on etsy.com. I use them to carry books to school or groceries (because I haven’t yet thought up a good way to repurpose plastic grocery bags) West Virginia Farm Bureau News 25