Some years back, I made a really nice basket from brown grocery bags. I "think" the instructions were in Countryside magazine. Does anyone out there have these or similar instructions? THANX a bunch!!

-- Nancy Lucas (NansLuck@webtv.net), May 13, 2002

Answers

I used twisted brown grocery sack strips and weaved by standard technique and shelacked the finished basket.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 13, 2002.

Nancy, I think it was in an herb magazine. I'm a packrat, I think I have it around here somewhere. If memory serves me, I was amazed at how beautiful they were! I'll look around over the next couple of days and let you know!

-- Terran in VT (homefire@sover.net), May 13, 2002.

Actually the instructions were in MEN sometime in 1997-1998. I have made many of them, dyed the weavers with milk paint or woven in ribbon. They are very easy to make, although time consuming. I also shellac mine. The directions I have are to cut or tear the bags into strips and then fold the strips creating a layer 4 thicknesses. If you can't find the directions by doing a search I will try to write up the directions for you. The article in MEN had diagrams that went with them as well. I have also made these baskets with children as a craft project.

-- Polly in NNY (jserg45@hotmail.com), May 13, 2002.

There are some instructions on this site Brown Bag Woven Basket Instructions, http://www.wintertexans.com/crafts/grocery_bag_crafts.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 13, 2002.

Terran, it was The Herb Companion. The directions called for 3 shopping bags and you folded down the tops and sat one inside the other. Nancy, if these are the instructions you're looking for, let me know and I'll post them.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 13, 2002.

Found this site with instructions for the method I described above.

Folded Baskets

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 13, 2002.

Just printed out the folded basket pattern. Looks great, can't wait to try it.

-- Scotsirish (notreal@anywhere.net), May 13, 2002.