You all know that I make all of our bread. I have for a long time. All the time that I’ve been making it I’ve been buying plastic bread bags. They work just fine but there’s something about spending money on an item that I intend to throw out that gets to me. I’ve written before about my attempt at using sandwich bags less – and this is the same idea.
I don’t know what finally spurred me into action – but I hunted around and found everything I needed to sew a bread bag. It was a very easy thing to sew. I made it roughly the same size as the plastic ones I use. The fabric is a sturdy, firm cloth – a remnant from something or other.
At first I thought it was going to work perfectly. I was all excited. It came out the size I was wanting and everything. However, I had one problem: When I pull the drawstrings tight it doesn’t close all the way because the fabric is too thick. Grrrr. I think I actually said that.
I was going to wait until I sew my next attempt to post about it – but in the interest of being somewhat transparent, I thought I’d throw my screw-up out there. Things don’t always work out like you’re hoping and that’s an ok thing. So for now, my bread bag is folded over. As soon as I get a free half an hour though – I am trying a new technique.
As far as the bread bag working, I can report favorably on that. I was skeptical about the cloth bag keeping the bread moist. I was thinking it would dry out on me. It hasn’t – which is why I’m happy to try it again.
Do you, or are you interested in, using cloth bread bags? I’ve been hunting around Etsy lately and found some really adorable reusable food packaging. If you’re not into sewing but like the idea of them then you should take a look at these or these from The Straight Stitch or this from evelynfields.
Why I do what I do ~ We were in the car one day when Chloe said, “Mom, do you know what a Subaru is?” I said, “Yes, do you?” She said, “a big, giant boo-boo.”Have you liked Domestic Cents on Facebook yet?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the idea of a cloth bread bag! I may have to try that… Also, I’ve been trying my hand at making our own bread, which I really enjoy, but it always seems to turn out kind of dry with the crust being too crusty. Any tips on getting the bread to be nice and moist?? thanks!
Katherine – Here are my thoughts on the dry/crusty bread. 1.) You may be baking it too long. 2.) You may just need a different recipe. 3.) I find that bread baked at high temperatures(425-450) tends to have a thicker/tougher crust. You can either lower the temp and adjust the baking time or brush the top of your loaves with butter or olive oil after baking. Lastly, remember that kneading has a lot to do with bread consistency. Be sure you’re kneading it long enough and that you haven’t added too much flour.
Love your bag! I’ve always wondered if they actually worked or were just cute. Thanks for the review, and the Etsy links!
Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..reading aloud with littlies
Love this idea – and thanks for being transparent:) Also, I love the “why I do what I do” at the end of every post – too cute!
Kelly´s last blog ..Treasure
Could you add a little flap on the inside? One that would mostly block the hole? I don’t know if it would make any difference. Cool idea though. When I make bread in my machine, the loaves will only fit in the gigantic plastic zip bags because they are just too big for the gallon size. If I make a bag or two the right size . . .
nopinkhere´s last blog ..Veer Right
Thanks for the post! I had the same dilemma – although I haven’t made much bread lately – I’d been wrapping it in plastic wrap, cutting it in half to put it in a large plastic bag – neither of which was working for me. I think I’ll make a bread bag myself.
I made your soft white bread yesterday but I think I added too much flour (multitasking: its not for me!) and it was heavy, not at all light. I kneaded it with my KitchenAid but it was just a heavy dough to begin with. I’m going to give it another shot. What is the everyday sandwich bread you make for your family? I need a whole wheat type soft bread that will stand up to peanut butter (on sale at Kroger this week for $1!)
Thanks for your blog….
While I’m a million years late to this post, I thought I’d suggest doing a little tie instead of a drawstring. You could make it out of the same fabric and sew the ends to one side. Cute bag!
That’s a good idea!