An Easy Dish Towel Tote Bag for Mother’s Day

It’s the week before Jacob’s graduation as you know, and I found I just didn’t have time to do my ‘super’ newsletter. So I’ll be posting when I can this week. It’s probably for the best since I’ve done quite a few easy sewing projects this week in an effort to get the house ready for the party. :o) I’d hate to have to cut the instructions or photos short.

Today’s project is super fast and so easy that you or your kids could do it in a jiffy.  I thought it was a great gift idea, just in time for Mother’s day! I didn’t plan this…it just popped in my head. :o)

Recently, I was given the most enchanting secret sister gift…darling spatulas, cookie cutters and heavy cotton dish towels all in a matching bag. The colors were just fabulous! So bright and springy. 

Sadly, the dish towels don’t match my kitchen..which is decorated in Americana blue and white. The neon green was just a wee bit too bright.  But I was just entranced by the festive colors and happy floral designs and had to do ‘something’ with this lovely fabric.

It just happens I’d been wanting a ‘spring’ tote bag to take with me on errands and to church. Wow—how did she know this was the perfect fabric for my purposes?  

I know there are ‘neater’ ways to do this project, but it was late at night after a long day of sewing covers for the patio furniture and I was too tired to come up with something ‘ideal’.  Using a Serger really made this project a snap! I bet I spent a whole 20 minutes on the project.

What do you need? Just two sturdy cotton dishtowels, thread and 2 yards of 1 to 1 1/2” wide grosgrain ribbon. 

 

Here are the steps:

1. Sew the two dishtowels right sides together across the short ends. Turn right side out. Now you have a ‘lined’ rectangle though the sides are still open. You could baste the side edges closed to make things easier.
2. Cut two lengths of ribbon of about 31” each or whatever fits comfortably for the receiver. A child’s bag could be shorter.
3. Fold under one inch on each end and place the ribbons on the outside of one end of the rectangle and pin in place as shown. Do the same for the other end. (The short ends are the openings of the bag when sewn together.)
4. Stitch squares and x’s at the bottom of each ribbon and again near the bags’ edge for reinforcement. 

 

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1. 
   Fold the rectangle (with the handles tucked inside) right sides together. Stitch the side seams closed. Cut off the thick excess. (can be saved for making the bow) Finish the edge with zig-zag stitching if you like.
2. Optional: For a semi-flat bottom, open the bag out on each side so that about one inch of fabric is laying to the right and left of the seams. This will make a point where the sides seams meet the bottom of the bag.
3. Pinch this ‘point’ and stitch across the horizontal fold. You can tack the point to the inside of the bag for extra strength in the bottom of the bag, or just cut off the point and edge finish the seam with zig-zag stitching.

Now turn the bag right side out and fill it with goodies for Grandma..or ‘Mom’. :o) (Optional~ You can make a bow with the trimmings and sew it on the front.)

I hope you have a great week! I have so many neat projects to share this week and next!

• Tuesday Tea~ Giving the Precious Gift of ‘Undivided’ Attention
• Old-fashioned Chicken Pot Pie with Decorated Crust
• The Surreal Beauty of Sago Palms and Magnolia Blossoms
• Simple Covers for Outdoor Patio Cushions
• The Shocking Side-Effects of Artificial Sweeteners (as experienced by me!)
• When a Child Worships God…Photo Story

How are you planning to celebrate Mother’s Day?  I’d love to hear your ideas…:o)

Linking to BTNOP Metamorphasis Monday :o)
and Raising Homemakers' Wednesday Link Up