Prudent and Practical

With Christmas finally here, I decided to write an instructional craft post. With all the stress of the holidays and trying to mesh schedules to see everybody while we’re back home, I wanted some me-time! In an episode last spring, Martha Stewart made a bag out of a towel. One can never have enough bags… you can use them for light groceries, going to the beach, or for carrying your latest knitting project! They’re relatively easy to make and don’t take too long – and I’m a slow crafter! Once you have the material washed, dried, and ironed, it only took me about 45 minutes.

You can see the original instructions and forum on Martha’s website.  Unlike those instructions, I have included photos of the process!  You can also click on the photos to see a blown-up version.

You’ll need to gather the following materials:

• Sew-on Velcro – I used about 1″x1″ on each side of the towel
• Towel – I used 16″x26″ hand towel, but you can probably apply this technique to other sized towels
• Preshrunk, washable ribbon – Martha suggested 2.5″ grosgrain, but I couldn’t find any that wide, so I used 1.5″, approximately 36″ long for the hand towel size
• 2 circular handbag handles – Hobby Lobby has these on sale every once in a while
• Binder clips
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Sewing machine and thread

Instructions:

1. Prewash ribbon and towel.
2. Gather materials.
   

   Materials gathered

3. Attach the Velcro to the towel. If you are using 2.5″ wide ribbon, use 2″x2″ Velcro squares; if you’re using 1.5″ wide ribbon, use 1″x1″ Velcro squares.  Machine-sew a square of female Velcro to the center of each end of the towel.  This will be the inside of the bag, so make sure that the tag is on the inside, too!
   

   Velcro attached. This will be the inside of the bag.

4. Attach the Velcro to the ribbon. Cut the ribbon – if you’re using a hand towel, cut a 36″ length.  Sew a square of male Velcro to each end of ribbon.  I didn’t understand the whole folding the ribbon instruction’s on Martha’s site, so I made up my one.  Fold over one end of ribbon 1/4″ twice, so that the raw edge is concealed.  I then shoved the Velcro down in the fold.  It helps to hold it together with the binder clips.  Sew.  Repeat on other side.
   

   Velcro and ribbon held in place by clip

   

   End of ribbon folded over twice.

   

   Velcro inserted into folded over ribbon

5. Attach the ribbon to the towel. Pin the ribbon down the center of the towel.  Make sure the Velcro is on the underside/facing down.  There should be an even amount of ribbon hanging off each end of the towel, about 4 inches.  The ribbon will be wrapped around the handles, attaching them to the bag.  Sew the ribbon onto the towel.
   

   Centering the ribbon and prepping to sew

6. Turning the towl into a bag. Fold the towel in half so the two top ends meet and the ribbon is on the inside – the bag will be inside out.  Sew up the two sides, leaving a 1/2-inch allowance.  Wrap the ribbon hanging off each side around each handle attachment, and attach the Velcro to the bag.
   

   Towel folded over and inside out, ready to sew

Finally, turn the bag right side out.  Wrap the ribbon hanging off each side around each handle attachment, and attach the Velcro to the bag.

Bag turned right side out with one handle attached

Now you have an all-purpose bag made quickly and easily.  When it’s dirty, just take off the handles and wash it.  If you have any questions, I’ll try to answer them!  See you soon!

The finished bag!