Reuseable Shopping Bag Research

[starbreaker85.livejournal.com]

I'm planning on making reusable shopping bags for holiday presents. I'm unemployed, broke, and have lots of free time. They will be made from the bolt of purple fabric I used for dorm 'wallpaper'. However, I'm undecided about the particulars of the pattern.

So here's a little survey for anyone who owns a reusable shopping bag (rough measurements are fine!):

1. What are the measurements of your bag?  Do you like the size & depth?
2. What shape is your bag?  (I'm pretty sure I'll be making mine boxy, with a flat bottom)
   
3. How long are the handles, and how far apart are they sewn on the bag?
   
4. Is there anything else you would change about the bag?
   
5. And of course, did you make it yourself?

I myself used several bags and always meant to make some.  I don't do the shopping now, mommy does, since I am an unemployed recent college graduate in a sluggish economy.