From one bag lady to another, you are doing a great thing.I have cloth bags from the Zoo, from 2 groceries and a couple of great tall plastic ones from Trader Joes that are great for tall things like baguettes (no more broken baguettes for me thanks) to chips.
I get comments too. I tried decorating a few of the plain ones from Michaels. I am no artist but you can tell the banana from the grapes. I really wanted to start my own business making cloth bags that would appeal to women who want style as well as substance. The best material to use is something like the oilcloth we used to see on our grandmothers kitchen tables.Its kind of expensive but comes in great patterns.It needs to be lined to stiffen it but it would stand-up to rain and leaky milk jugs.
If I ever get the darn sewing machine to stop fighting me, I might get this business off the ground and women will be calling me for fashionable bags that say, "I am not only environmentally smart, I am trendy." Till then, it will be slightly faded, stained, cloth bags and my tired arms that will drag the groceries home.