I was at Joanne's yesterday and they were having a $1.99 special on all calicos so I picked up a yard to use for hommade bread bags. I have in mind sort of like a pillowcase with a drawstring. Has anyone ever made anything like this? I am wanting to eliminate plastic and have been washing my plastic bags, but they are wearing out and it seemed like a good time to try the idea. I was also wanting to know if it should be lined with cheesecloth just to keep it from dying out? Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Do you think yarn for drawstrings? Thank you!!

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), February 21, 2002

Answers

No need to use drawstring, just make bag long enough to fold and tuck under.

Be sure and wash the fabric bags after using. Mold spores will remain and cause a new loaf of bread to spoil sooner.

No need for cheesecloth, air will circulate thru it and fabric anyway.

There are plastic bread containers on the market that are in two pieces (one slides into the other) and each end has 2 holes to let moisture escape. Bread keeps very well in these. Be sure and wash before using for new loaf of bread.

Never store bread in frig. the temperature is just right for the starch to gelatenize. Bread keeps well in the freezer or on the counter. Depends on how fast you use a loaf. Keep some out and freeze some if a loaf lasts a long time. Use plastic bags to freeze.

-- Marie (prettyhollow@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

Marie: You're right, I wouldn't need a drawstring. Thanks for waking me up!! I bake four loaves approximately every other day and so I was thinking of making six bread bags and washing after each use. I have a "bread drawer" that I usually store the bread in that we are currently using and then keep the others in the pantry. Thanks for the tip on the refrigerator, I didn't realize that. Thank you!

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), February 21, 2002.