Imagine it is a crisp Saturday morning and you are heading to the farmers market. You get there only to realize that you do not have enough room in your purse for all the items you hope to find. That's when you wish you had a tote bag with you. With just a little time at the sewing machine and a tablecloth, you can make a set of reusable tote bags for groceries, the library or running around town.
This project is an easy one, even for beginners. Please keep in mind that any young sewers should still be supervised. If you don't have a suitable tablecloth, use a sheet or another piece of durable fabric.
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Materials
- Tablecloth
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
- Fabric scissors
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Straight pins
- Tablecloth
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
- Fabric scissors
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Straight pins
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Fold the tablecloth in half lengthwise. Measure a 4-inch strip across the bottom edge.
1. Fold the tablecloth in half lengthwise. Measure a 4-inch strip across the bottom edge.
2. With fabric scissors, cut out the 4-inch strip and put it on the ironing board, printed side down.
3. Fold the long edge under about 1/2 inch and press with the iron. Continue until the entire piece of fabric has its edges folded and pressed.
4. Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise, printed sides out, and press with the iron.
5. Sew along all folded edges.
6. Lay out the strip, measure 24 inches, and cut. This creates two 24-inch strips from the one you just sewed. Set them aside.
7. Measure a rectangle 32 inches by 15 inches on the tablecloth, and cut it out.
8. Put the rectangle on the ironing board, printed side down, and turn the short edges under about 1 inch and press with the iron. Then fold them one more inch and press again.
9. Sew the pressed edges together.
10. Place the rectangle piece flat with the printed side facing up. Fold in half lengthwise.
11. Place one handle on the bag where you would like it.
12. Flip over the piece, and pin the other end to match the first one.
13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 on the other end of the rectangle with the remaining 24-inch strip.
14. Sew the handles to the bag where you pinned them using a square pattern to make them more secure.
15. Fold the piece in half with the printed sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin along the edges.
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16. Sew the sides together where you pinned them.
17. Flip the tote bag right-side out.