Pillowcases to Reversible Tote Bag Upcycle Project

Pillowcases to Reversible Tote Bag Upcycle Project was originally published to http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

This is a fun and easy pillowcases to reversible tote bag upcycle project that you can complete in just a couple of hours (at the most) with the added bonus of teaching you an awesome sewing skill – making a bag with a lining, or making it reversible!

Sewing Level – Beginner
Time to Complete – About Two hours

Materials/Equipment needed:

• Two standard size pillowcases
• Matching or coordinating thread
• Pins
• Scissors
• A chalk marker or fabric pen (the kind with the disappearing ink)
• A sewing machine
• A measuring tape or ruler
• An iron and ironing board

*Note: Since we will be upcycling previously used items, be sure to check for tears in the fabric and stitching. Either repair the defects or use something else for this bag. After the inspection, press both pillowcases flat with an iron.

The Pillowcases

Step 1

Start by cutting off the hemmed opening of both pillowcases. Mine have a nice deep hem (about 4 inches) but yours may not be as deep. Cut off at least 4 inches of pillowcase end (4” folded, 8” unfolded) and set these pieces aside for later.

Cutting the pillowcase to shape

Step 2

Now you need to turn the pillowcases inside out and line up the bottom seam at the corner with the side seam at the corner. Line up the seams and smooth out the material around the seams. Measure 3 inches up from the point and draw a line perpendicular to the seam. Pin in place and sew along the line. Do the same thing on the other corner and to the other pillow case. Cut off the excess fabric. This step will give the finished bag a flat bottom. If you don’t want a flat bottom, just skip this step.

Prepping the bottom of the bag to make it flat

Sewing the bottom of the bag

The Straps

Step 3

Cut off the seam and the stitching leaving a three inch wide fabric strip (folded in half on the original fold line of the pillowcase hemmed opening). Do not cut the fold.

Cutting the straps

Step 4

On your ironing board or other iron safe surface, open the strap fold. Fold each cut edge to the center and iron. Then fold the strap back in half and iron again. Stitch each side as close to the edge as possible. Leave the ends unfinished since they will be concealed inside of the bag lining and will not be seen.

Folding and ironing the straps

Strap before folding and ironing (left), strap after folding and ironing (right)

Stop And Think

Step 5

Before going on, decide how deep you want your bag to be and how long you want your handles to be. A typical shoulder bag handle is approximately 24 inches so that it will pass the “elbow test”. If you can pick up a bag by the straps and put it up on your shoulder with just that one hand, then the bag passes the “elbow test”. Trim the bag and handles to your desired size leaving 2 extra inches on the top of the bag, and 2 extra inches of length on EACH END of the straps.

Attach Your Straps

Step 6

On the right side of your pillowcase (meaning it is NOT inside-out), measure in 4.5 inches from the side and pin the strap in place being careful not to twist them. Measure down 1 inch and mark a line. Sew along the line. Do this for both straps.

Aligning the straps

Align and pin both sides before sewing

Attach The Lining

Step 7

Take the pillowcase that does not have the straps sewn to it and turn it inside-out. Put the pillowcase that DOES have the straps sewn to it INSIDE the pillowcase that is inside-out so that the right sides, or the sides that will show on your finished bag, are facing each other. Also, tuck the straps in and line up the seams. Pin the lining in place.

Pinning the lining in place

Step 8

Measure 1 ¾ inches to 2 inches down from the top of the pillowcase and mark this measurement all the way around the top. You want to make sure that you sew down far enough so that the stitch holding the straps in place does not show.

Measuring the location of the top stitch

Step 9

Sew around the top of the pillowcase starting near the side seam leaving an opening a few inches wide. Using that opening, pull the inside bag to the outside and turn the lining right-side out. Then you do the hokey-pokey…. just kidding. You will know if you did it right when the sewn raw edges and the seams of the outside of the pillowcases are not showing. I know, it makes my head hurt too… but once you’ve done it, you will know what I mean.

Sewing the two pillowcases together

Two cases tucked together

Finishing

Step 10

Iron the opening around the straps and top stitch all the way around the top to close that opening. Reinforce the straps (if desired) with a square that has an X inside of it and you’re done!

Ironing the bag

Reinforcing the straps

I hope that you have some prettier pillowcases to work with… but this plain red pillowcase can be tie-dyed or screenprinted or decorated with jewels or whatever. I would just make sure that it remains washable! The best part of mastering this easy tutorial is that you can apply it to ANY bag that you make that you want to have a lining.

This is a guest post by Heather Teeters of “CelloRaisen – Design Your Life’s Style“. Heather’s bio states: “Mom of two and wife to my best friend who is a wonderfully handy man. Vegetable gardener, vermicomposter, scrapbooker, seamstress, and decorator. I enjoy the challenge of making something new out of something old, making my own clothing, trying out healthy recipes, and coming up with decorating ideas for my kid’s rooms. Oh yeah, and I have this little gig on the side called a full-time job!”

Originally published in 2012, updated April 2016.

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