little library tote tutorial
This little library tote is simple to make and fun to use. It is made from a dishtowel and is lightweight enough for your little reader, but sturdy enough to carry a small stash of library books. Since it is unlined, you will want to be sure to purchase a dishtowel that is made of heavy fabric.
Supplies needed are one dishtowel and matching thread. You can make this project for about $2.50 and it may take you less than an hour to finish. Who knows, maybe you should mass produce these for your children's friends!?!
I bought my dishtowel from Crate and Barrel for $2.00 and it measured approximately 18"X30". The size of your towel will determine the size of your bag (smaller towel, smaller bag).
First you will need to fold your towel along the long edge so that you end up with a rectangle. Next you need to trim some fabric off the edge of your dishtowel. I
cut off 7 inches, but you can cut more or less depending on the size
that you desire your finished tote to be:
Sew all three sides of your bag using a 1/4 inch seam:
For the handles you will need to cut two 2-1/2 inch strips from your leftover dishtowel fabric:
Now you sew up the long sides of the handles and turn them right-side-out using a safety pin:
Trim the handles to 17-inches (or your desired length) and then whipstitch the ends. Now attach them to the bag like this:
You are done! Now all you need to do is gather your readers and head to the library for some books!
Enjoy!
So cute! I think I might whip one up for my little nephew's bday tomorrow.
And I love the new place, Randi. It is perfectly *you*.
Posted by: tonia | February 13, 2007 at 08:19 AM
What a cute project! I think I really need to save up for a sewing machine. Funny thing is, I haven't sewn a thing since high school and that was many years ago...
Posted by: Julie | February 13, 2007 at 11:52 AM
That's such a gorgeous tutorial! I can't believe how easy you make it look.
For some reason or another, your site isn't updating on my bloglines anymore. I don't know why!
Posted by: Beck | February 13, 2007 at 12:41 PM
I am salivating over the dishtowel. Crate and Barrel, here I come.
And I swear, Randi, one of these days I am going to get my sewing machine out of its basement exile. It'll have you to thank.
Posted by: mopsy | February 13, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Oh that is the SWEETEST thing!!!
And you do SUCH a wonderful job on your Tutorials! THANK you!!!
Posted by: Bea | February 13, 2007 at 02:15 PM
I love the library tote. Tote bags are the best pick me up, kind of project-fast to complete and fun to make. I made one also. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Posted by: julie | February 13, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Thanks for the fun tutorial....now where do I find nice dishtowels like THAT in Canada?? :)
Posted by: Karyn | February 13, 2007 at 03:04 PM
dish towels are the rgeatest! cost plus (world market)has some darling prints!
Posted by: Lei | February 13, 2007 at 03:05 PM
That is an adorable bag and I think that I just might be able to make one! (My sewing skills are very beginnerish.) You do a very good job at writing up tutorials!
Posted by: Leslie | February 13, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I never think of sewing things with fabric from other things. I always just trudge to the fabric store and hope to find a cool print. And usually I can't find anything I LOVE. Dishtowels open up a whole new vista! Thanks for the dishtowel tutorials!
Posted by: Jess | February 13, 2007 at 06:03 PM
I love using dishtowels so much!!! Great directions for a simple little tote. Love it!
Posted by: Eren | February 14, 2007 at 06:08 AM
Beautiful! Can't wait to make it!
Posted by: Aimee | February 14, 2007 at 07:22 AM
When do you go to the library? We never catch you there.
Posted by: Pam in Colorado | February 14, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Sweet! I need one...:) Luv ya!
Posted by: Danika | February 14, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Sweet! I need one...:) Luv ya!
Posted by: Danika | February 14, 2007 at 10:21 AM
I am not a big sewer, but I was just thinking I wish the boys had their own library bags that they could KEEP their books in. I love this idea, and I actually think I could do this and make it look neat. Now to find some dishtowels that look somewhat masculine. That may be the biggest obstacle. You know I think I will have the boys help make their own. Great homseschool Idea Randi!
Posted by: Trina | February 14, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Hi Randi,
I wanted to stop by and thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciated your comment. Please come back any time and have a Happy Valentine's Day.
Posted by: Morning Glory | February 14, 2007 at 01:26 PM
No sewing machine...I just live vacariously through your sewing posts! ;) Very cute tote!
Posted by: Tammy | February 14, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Very cute bag idea! I'll have to give it a try. One can never have too many tote bags!
The only part of the tutorial I didn't understand was the phrase "a small stash of library books". I always leave the library loaded down like a pack mule! lol I guess I'd have to make my tote out of a beach towel!
Posted by: Wendy @ WMF | February 14, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Thank you for the directions for the tote bag, will have to make one of those, just the kind of project i need to get back into the world of sewing.
Dawn in Canada
Posted by: Dawn T | February 18, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Thank you so much for the tutorial! Your tote bag is just adorable :)
Posted by: Lisa | February 20, 2007 at 05:57 AM
That tote is just so cute. I don't know how to sew too well, but my Mom does! :)
Posted by: Stephanie | February 20, 2007 at 06:30 AM
So cute! Thanks for sharing! You should post this on Whip Up in response to the question--What should I make for a party favor for a baby shower? I would love to get one of these. Great idea!
Posted by: Cindy | February 20, 2007 at 10:36 AM
another very cute idea! and affordable.
Posted by: lera | February 20, 2007 at 03:04 PM
I have this dishtowel....it is one of my favorites!! It's even cute as a bag :)
Posted by: Debi | February 21, 2007 at 12:32 PM
You are the queen of creative. I have never had a dishtowel that cute, much less a tote. I've got to try some of this stuff.
Posted by: Mommy Dearest | March 26, 2007 at 02:12 PM
eeeeeeeeeeee!
i squeeeeeed when i saw the pic of your bag! i made a tote out of this very same fabric. i quilted mine and put a cute patch on front. how funny! you did a nice job
s
Posted by: susan sobon | April 03, 2007 at 09:00 PM
I'm a little confused over the instructions for how to cut the towel. You had an 18"X30" towel, which you folded in half (lengthwise I believe), so now you should have a 9"x30" rectangle, off of which you cut 7", so you ended up with a 9" x 23" rectangle that you sewed up. Is that correct?
Posted by: angorian | April 16, 2007 at 07:09 PM
oh these are so cute that I am going to promote you on my blog...come and see...
Posted by: debb | August 06, 2007 at 10:26 AM
You inspired me to join a beginning sewing class. This week is class #3 and I'm doing a drawstring bag. I'm working on an old machine and I seem to think I'll never remember how to set everything up the way you're supposed to. The new and improved Singer machine is so retro and cute looking. I might be asking my fiance to buy me one for Christmas, but I strongly feel like I need a few more classes and project under my belt before investing in one. Just so you know, when I was looking for material, I found great material at Ikea. If you don't have a store near you, go to their website to see how adorable their prints are. Thanks again for inspiration!!
Posted by: Adrienne | September 23, 2007 at 12:05 PM
cute tute! this is so funny. i bought the exact same towel and made a quilted tote out of it. great minds think alike!
Posted by: susan | April 02, 2008 at 10:37 PM
very nice !!!
reading your explanations I got inspiration... I made an apron with a towel - have a look and visit : http://abricotetlavande.canalblog.com/
Posted by: chapulines | April 18, 2008 at 01:11 PM
This tutorial was great and what a wonderful idea! My mom is always sending me some kind of cute holiday tea towels and this was a great project for using them. Thanks so much! You can see what you taught me at http://kerrysews.blogspot.com/2008/05/project-tea-towel-tote.html
Posted by: Kerry | May 01, 2008 at 09:22 AM