DIY Dish Towel Tote Bag (Mini IKEA Hack)
Yes, I know you probably just double checked the web address. You’re at the right blog. I did actually SEW something. And my mom/MIL weren’t even here to help me! Shocking, I know.
See, my friend and I needed a gift idea. She came up with a super-cute concept, but we needed a bag for all of the “stuff” and our superstar sewing friend was having a busy week. “I can make them,” I told my co-gifter, “Bags are literally sewing three straight lines.” She was probably nervous about letting me take this on {especially if she reads my blog and knows that I’m terrified of the sewing machine}, but she agreed and to my surprise {and probably hers too!}, it actually worked! I even found a way to only have to sew two lines instead of three! SCORE!
Now I am waaaaaaay unqualified to be teaching anybody how to sew. I’m sure the way I did this is probably not even technically correct, but I used to have a dish towel, and now I have a bag, so I must have done something right. 😉 Let’s just think of this as an encouraging “You should try things that you’re scared to do because that’s how you learn and can even end up with a really cute tote bag at the end” post rather than a sewing tutorial, mmmmk?
While I was trying to figure out what type of fabric to use to make the tote bag, I stumbled upon this bright and cheery Bleksopp dish towel at IKEA, and immediately knew it was “the one.” It just screams “Summer!!!” right?
This was truly the simplest sewing project ever. I folded the towel in half with the back side out and pinned the sides. {Because heaven knows this girl can’t sew anything straight without pinning first!} Then I just sewed a straight line up both sides, removing my pins as I went along.
Then all that was left to do was to attach some handles. I used ribbon and attached them by sewing across the width of the ribbon in two places to make sure it was completely secure. {Yes, I used white thread instead of blue or green!}
I just had to flip it right-side out, and TA-DA!!! It was truly that easy! I think once it is done being a gift bag, this tote would be perfect for carrying beach gear. It is made from a towel, after all!
I am so glad I attempted this project. I feel like the more I step out of my comfort zone with sewing, the more I learn and the more confident I become. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll even try more than two straight lines! 😉
Have you ever done an upcycled sewing project?
I’m scared of the sewing machine, too. Thanks for being brave enough to try this project and for encouraging me to do the same! The bag turned out really cute!
Thanks, Alicia! It’s intimidating, isn’t it?! Baby steps, I say! 😉 Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Turned out great! What a cute tote bag! Isn’t a successful project the best encouragement? mmmmk? 😉
Hugs!
Bethany
Oh, btw. I love your blog makeover! It is super cute! I really like the color pallet. 🙂
Thanks! Baby steps, baby steps, lol! Thank you for reading, friend!
~Abby =)
LOve this! I am not a great sewer person but this I can do:))) Pinning!
PS Just shared on Facebook!
Aww, thanks so much! <3
~Abby =)
Girl, we are so the same! Baby steps! 😉 Thanks for the pin! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Very cute, Abby!!! Love the colors!!!~~Angela
Thank you, Angela! I hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Love it!
Thanks, Misti!! Hope your week is going well!
~Abby =)
It turned out great!! You did a fabulous job!! I love that you made it out of a dish towel. So cute!!
Thanks, Crystal! I definitely put that little dish towel to work, lol. Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Wow! What a great idea! Next time we’re at Ikea we’ll have to stock up on some of those towels!
Thank you, Audra! I love IKEA…sometimes a little too much! 😉 Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Yes this does scream summer. What a cute idea! thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Erica! I just checked out your patriotic summer wreath–love it! Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Abby! your tote bag turned out great and congrats on trying something you were scared to try before! 🙂 your new blog design is very pretty; I love it! 🙂
Thank you so much, Ingrid! Your comments always make my day! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Angela, that was really a great idea for a tote bag !!!!!
Thanks so much, Linda! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Cute bag! That is one thing that I can sew and I’m proud of!
Yay for you! My sewing skills are minimal, but this I can handle, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by, Kristi! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
GREAT tutorial Abby!!! I can actually make this too! YAY!!! I will be trying it out!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer!! See you tomorrow evening!
Thank you, Christine! Hope you have fun with it! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I love this, what an awesome idea! And you have so many options for patterns and stuff! In case you didn’t see it earlier, I featured this on my blog today! I’m stopping by to pin it, and to let you know you can grab a Featured button if you don’t already have one! https://practicallyfunctional.net/2013/06/7-creative-ideas-3/
Thank you SO much, Jessi! I’m honored! Hope you had a fabulous weekend!
~Abby =)
Very cute idea, found it on Practically Functional 🙂
Stop on over and link it up at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party:
https://whoneedsacape.com/2013/06/super-sunday-party-2/
Lori
Whoneedsacape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms!
Thanks so much for the invite, Lori! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
CONGRATS!!!
You have been featured at The DIY Dreamer! YAY!! Come on over and grab your featured button, you deserve it! https://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/turquoise-features-71/
Don’t forget to swing by this evening to link up again 🙂
Thank you SO much, Christine! I’m so honored! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Cute! What an easy and clever idea!
Thanks so much, Megan! I’ll do anything to sew as minimally as possible, lol! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)