Turn Placemats into a Tote Bag

Searching for an easy sewing project? Here’s an awesome idea from Nora’s Crafty! Grab one-dollar placemats from the stores and use them to make a tote bag. Placemats are cheap and come in different prints and fabrics, making them a great option for these small projects.

RELATED: The Easiest Way to Sew a Tote Bag

This tote bag is easy and quick to make and does not require a pattern. If you are a beginner, do not worry–you can easily follow the steps. You only need 2 placemats, fabric for the bottom panel, and canvas cloth. Watch the video below for the full instructions.

Here’s another fun project for you: No-Sew DIY Tote Bag Using Old T-Shirt Tutorial

DIY Placemat Tote Bag Materials

• two 18.75″ placemats
• scissors
• 2 pieces of 20″ x 10″ bottom panel
• 2 pieces of 4.5″ x 31.5″ canvas cloth for the handles

How to Make a Tote Bag Using Placemats

Step 1:

Get one piece of the bottom panel, then fold it in half crosswise. Sew around the edges with a 0.4-inch seam allowance, leaving an opening in the center. Press the seams open. Fold it right side out through the opening. Repeat with the other piece.

Step 2:

Remove the tags from the placemats. Align the bottom panels on the bottom of each one, right sides together. Clip them in place. Sew on the bottoms with a 0.4-inch seam allowance. Stitch the opening of the bottom panels. Press the seams open.

Topstitch just above and below the seams.

Step 3:

Take the canvas cloth for the handles. Fold them in half lengthwise, open them, and then fold the sides toward the center. Fold them again in half and clip them in place. Sew with a 0.2″ seam allowance all around the edges.

Step 4:

Mark the center of the placemats using an erasable pen. Place the ends of the handle 3″ to the right from the center and 3″ to the left from the center. The ends should be 4″ down from the top. Pin them in place. Make a box x stitch on the ends.

Step 5:

Place the placemats on top of each other, right sides together. Draw a 2.5″ x 2.5″ square on the bottom corners, then cut.

Stitch on the sides and bottom of the bag with a 0.4″ seam allowance.

Step 6:

Open the bottom corners and line them up. Sew with a 0.4″ seam allowance to make box corners.

Step 7:

Top stitch the bottom panel.

Turn Placemats into a Tote Bag