Make a tote bag

Here is a picture of the tote bags from the last post – in the making. I still have one of the original Body Shop cloth bags which I bought nearly two deacdes ago on the right. In the UK right now designer shopping bags are everywhere now and being used in lieu of handbags.

Making them in calico and personalising them could be fun. Not yet figured how to paint or print on fabric but it’s on my list of things to learn. However embroidery, applique, patchwork would all be great ways to individualise a bag.

So as you can see in the picture, I had already cut the bags from the fabric. I measured, cut and pinned the handles to the top edge of the bag. Next I stitched the handles to secure them in place.

Then I folded the top, with the handles, over and stitched a second time. That neatens to top edge and secures the handles again. I tend to over secure the handles in a bag. Maybe I have some irrational fear of them pulling loose and the contents of my bag falling out.

Once I have secured the handles, I stiched the sides and bottom. The bags were turned inside out, pressed with an iron and good to go. To see the completed bags click on – this link.

The Greenie Galleries at the top of this page have 100s of photos of older and newer projects showing multiple ways to make your own clothing and accessories. There are also ideas to recycle or upcycle.

See you soon.

Greenie.