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Lead-free Reusable Bags & Multi-purpose Bags & Totes 
Made in California by Georgia Stigall

Reduce waste & recycling trips by carrying your own durable & multi-purpose bags
in a variety of colors from earth tones to bright!

Poly-Mesh, Pack Cloth & Acrylic    
(see Cotton - including Denim- bags further down this page):

Light-weight, clean(*), attractive, affordable and very sturdy bags available in polypro mesh, 430-denier pack-cloth, and outdoors upholstery fabric (acrylic). For my synthetic reusable bags, I use only lead-free fabrics made in the U.S.A.

All of these bags are made with strap webbing that wraps front to back across bottom of bag for significant additional bag strength. See photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalseams/collections/ 

Because these three fabric types are mold-, mildew- & stain-resistant (and washable) they are interchangeable for many uses: 

For groceries & farmers markets, reusable gift bags, art supplies, books, camping gear, tools, keepsake bags, as a roomy purse, for classes, meetings, picnics, gardening supplies, laundry (both wet & dry), small plants, cut flowers, host/ess gift and more...  

All three of the above fabric types are made in the U.S.A. and most of the strap webbing I use is also made in the U.S.A. 
[There are individuals and private businesses in many countries making bags & other items. If you have trouble finding someone outside the United States, let me know and I'll try to help you.]

(*) An understandable complaint that many grocery clerks & baggers have about personal shopping bags, is that many they have to handle are, as one put it, "grubby."  

This is why I make utility bags in synthetics rather than in cottons, as they do not hold food & food odors, and are very easy to clean. For camping I put my mesh bags directly in my cooler to keep foods separate, and they don't get moldy. 

If you use cotton bags for grocery shopping, please wash them regularly. Not only is it considerate to the employees, but we need their support to reduce the waste of single-use bags and to encourage multi-use bags.

Tote Bag sizes & details for Poly-Mesh, Pack Cloth & Acrylic:

Large (very roomy at approx 19" high x 18" wide; aka "the bottomless bag") with pocket on outside front and strap webbing that wraps front to back across the bottom for additional bag strength. 

Medium (still roomy at approx 12" high & 14" wide) with pocket on outside front and and strap webbing that wraps front to back across the bottom for additional bag strength. 

Both sizes include a sturdy loop securely fastened inside the upper hem for attaching keys, cell phone case, small wallet, etc. (you'll need a "carabiner" or other clip device to attach your item to the loop.)

Seams on all of my bags are double- or triple-stitched and all stress points are securely reinforced.

See examples of some of my bags, fabrics & colors at http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalseams/collections/

Poly-mesh info:   Breathable, mold- & mildew-resistant mesh resists stains & particulates (soil, sand, etc. shakes off) & can be rinsed under cold faucet or hose. Very sturdy, lightweight and will carry a lot of weight. This fabric can be torn by very sharp objects (it takes much effort to do so), but if that occurs the fabric will not fray because it's knitted rather than woven.  Poly-mesh bags are additionally useful for wet clothing, swim wear, snorkeling gear, etc. All seams are double-stitched  and all stress points are securely reinforced. 

Poly-mesh Colors:  Forest green, sapphire blue, black, desert sand, turquoise, dark brown and burgundy (aka "mocha plum") Strap webbing is also available in many colors, providing an opportunity for "mix & match". 

Pack Cloth fabric:   Extremely sturdy, light-weight, abrasion- & water-resistant 430-denier nylon pack cloth. Seams on these bags are what I call "French/felled" (classic French seams which enclose raw edges & are then stitched flat like a flat-felled seam; resulting in triple-stitched seams). All stress points are securely reinforced. Additionally useful for wet clothing, swim wear, snorkeling gear, etc. 

Pack Cloth Colors I offer generally include forest green, dark brown, yellow, black, hot pink, turquoise, purple, tan, maroon & red. Strap webbing is also available in many colors, providing an opportunity for "mix & match". 

Acrylic fabric: This mold-, mildew- & moisture-resistant fabric has the feel of "cotton duck". Seams on these bags are what I call "French/felled" (classic French seams which enclose raw edges & are then stitched flat like a flat-felled seam; resulting in triple-stitched seams). All stress points are securely reinforced.  

Acrylic Colors: Currently available in two pretty floral designs (see the photos site for examples):

    - Forest green & rose floral/paisley (looks best with either forest green or rose strap webbing)
    - Multi-hued floral in peach, cream, blues, etc. on a black background (looks best with black strap webbing) 

Photographs of both of these acrylic fabrics are at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalseams/collections/

Strap Webbing Size & Colors for All Bags: Available in many colors at any given time. Check with me for latest inventory. I size the straps so that most people can opt to carry the bag over their shoulder or at their side. If you are ordering a LARGE bag for someone shorter than 5' 6" let me know so that I can slightly shorten the straps if you wish; so that the bag when filled does not touch the ground when carried at their side. 

Prices for Poly-Mesh Bags:

Large:         $22/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Medium:      $20/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Prices for 430-denier Pack Cloth Bags:

Large:         $25/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Medium:      $22/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Optional:     Add $6 to price for the addition of a zippered mesh pocket on the inside of bag 
                  (currently available only on Pack Cloth bags. When you place your order I'll suggest
                   a mesh color for the pocket that matches or complements your bag color.)

Prices for Acrylic Bags:

Large:         $22/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Medium:      $20/each * (one pocket on outside front; keys loop in hemline)

Bag Weight Info for above fabric choices - I routinely carry 5 - 7 of these bag types at a time while shopping and the weight of the bags is insignificant. Yet when filled, they collectively hold several pounds of groceries and other items with no problem. 

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COTTON & COTTON/NYLON BAGS 

I make a variety of cotton bags (including various weights of denim) for gifts, as keepsakes and tote bags. Some feature pockets of cotton, nylon or polymesh.

Most have handles of polyester webbing for both durability and the opportunity for more colors.

All of my cotton bags are made with double- or triple-stitched seams and securely reinforced stress points. Some are lined depending on fabric and style. All cottons will fade after prolonged exposure to direct sun so please keep that in mind when you are considering the purpose of your bag. 

Prices depend on fabric and size, but are generally in the $16 - 25* price range. I "sew to the economy" so I can offer affordable items that are well made, even in their simplest form. 

Check with me for my current inventory of cotton bags. Custom orders for cotton bags are special order only & not always available. 

Photos of a few of my cotton bags are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalseams/collections/

Tax & Shipping:

* Plus applicable sales tax & shipping. I charge only what the shipping costs me, or as close to it as possible. In most cases I am able to re-use packaging from other clean shipments. I also deliver or meet in person when that opportunity is practical.

Lead Time: For items already made, I will ship within 2-3 days. I can usually respond more quickly when needed - just let me know by phoning 650-941-1068.

For custom color selection one week plus shipping time (or meeting in person for delivery) is usually sufficient for 1-3 bags. In general it depends on quantity ordered and time of year, and I can give you that information when you inquire or order. 

In all cases I will communicate with you via phone or email (your choice) so you know when to expect your merchandise. 

Payment may be made by check, money order or cash and is due when items are delivered or when I mail them. 

Coastal Seams is a business registered with the state of California. In the future I hope to be able to accept credit cards, but currently it's excessively and impractically expensive. 

(For special/customized orders that could not be sold to others once customized, I may ask for partial payment in advance). 

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Feedback: If you have an item made by me, I welcome your feedback! 

Email, phone or postal mail (I will return all phone calls with the U.S.A.):

Phone:    650-941-1068
Email:    CoastalSeams (at) yahoo (dot) com   [with no spaces]
Postal:    Georgia Stigall, Coastal Seams, 17287 Skyline Blvd #102, Woodside CA 94062-3780

tags: market bags    lead-free bags   bags made in U.S.A.   bags made in California   reusable shopping bags   reusable totes