Tote bag recycle

Do you know what a chair back pocket is? It is sewn like a slipcover with pockets for school kids to store items at their desk.
Because next year's class doesn't use them, this kid's mom gave me his chair back pocket to disassemble for craft fabric but, instead, I recycled it into a tote bag. His name was already embroidered on it, so why not a sturdy heavy weight tote?

• I sewed the open bottom closed and cut the top to form a bag.
  
• Red bias tape applied to top cut edge.
  
• Two plaid neckties were zigzagged and straight stitched for stability and reinforcement then stitched to bag for double straps.
  

Yay! A bag for transporting library books and such.

Denim handbag

Made this denim handbag from the 1970's era pattern given to me by generous seamstress lady.

Completely misunderstood how to make the handles but kept on without any major ripping. OR cursing. Upon completion, the bag looked too flat so squared off the bottom edge.*

Not really digging the purse, it is a little too long, narrow and boring so whipstitched around the handles with that heavier embroidery (crewel?) thread stuff.

The cutest thing is the interior pocket with grosgrain ribbon trim and key/pen loop.

*Two techniques to square off the bottom corners of a bag:

1) Turn inside out. Fold bottom and side seams to match, pin and mark a diagonal line, stitch. Trim to reduce bulk or leave as is.

(photo from tiny happy tutorial)

2) Turn inside out. Cut a square from bottom left and right. Fold fabric to match cut ends. Sew.


(photo from creative kismet tutorial)

Utilitarian denim tote bag

Man, I love making tote bags, what with the straight line sewing and all but this is a heavy duty bag made for heavy stuff, thus, denim from cast-off jeans. Cut 2 legs, turned so that bottom hem is the top edge, split the inside seam and joined them. Removed 1 back pocket and restitched to outside. Ripped off the waistband and used that for the tote strap.

WooHoo - new Skitzo Leezra labels inside the pocket!