Nifty Thrifty: Make a Quick Placemat Tote Bag

A chance meeting with a set of clearance-priced summer placemats gave me the idea for this quick Nifty Thrifty project. Here's why you'll love it:

1. You can make this Juicy Summer Tote in less than an hour. I timed myself.
2. It's not just quick- it's budget friendly. In fact, it's so inexpensive that you may want to make several! This project cost me exactly $3.63 plus tax. The placemat/napkin set was $2.50 and 1 yard of woven belt strap (sewing section at Walmart) cost $1.13 per yard.
3. Very little skill is required. The finished edges on the placemats eliminate guess work and save you oodles of extra sewing.

Here's how to make your own:

Placemat & Napkin Set + Woven Belt Strap

Cut 3 inch strips along the edge of one of the napkins, and fold in half lengthwise. Sew along the long edge 1/4" away from the edge. Turn the pieces right side out and press flat. Then sew the strips along the sides of the placemat about 1/2" away from the edge.

Sew straps into place (I measured 3" away from the side edge for placing my straps).

See?

Then fold the bag in half (right sides together) and sew a 1/4" seam up the sides to close the edges of the bag.

On the inside (wrong side) of the bag, measure 2" up from the bottom of the bag and draw a line. Flip the bag over and do the same on the other side (you are marking the same 2" piece on the other side).

Fold up one edge of the bottom creating a little triangle piece that meets the edges of the 2" line you just drew on both sides. Sew along the line you marked, creating a triangle wedge.

Repeat this on the other side of the bottom edge, creating two triangular notches at the bottom.

Turn the bag right-side out and voila! You've got a Juicy Summer Tote to fill with goodies and share with someone special. My mom is going to love it!

~marie