Homespun Tote Bag

Materials Needed
1 - 20" x 28" homespun towel
Trim and grosgrain ribbon
Matching thread
Sewing machine

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Trim off a 2" strip going lengthwise from each side of the towel and discard. Trim hems off ends of towel. Sew about 3/4 in. down from ends. Pull threads down to row of stitching to fringe ends.

2. Sew trim and grosgrain ribbon across both ends of towel about 3/4 in. down.

3. To make the bag portion, simply fold the towel in half with the right sides together. Then sew down the sides using a 1/2 in. seam. (You might wish to sew a zigzag stitch close to the seam line to help prevent fraying).

4. To create the bottom of the bag, form a triangle on the corner with the seam you just made, matching the seam with the bottom edge of the bag. Measure approximately 2 in. down from the tip of the triangle and sew across. Repeat on the other side. Trim corners off 1/2 in. from sitching.

5. Turn the bag right side out. Sew one handle onto one side of the bag with the ends about 5 - 6 in. apart. Repeat on the other side of the bag for the other handle. Your tote bag is complete. (If you need more support, you can cut a piece of foam board to fit in the bottom.

6. Optional: Also it would be fun to add pockets to the inside or outside in coordinating fabrics before you stitch up the sides.

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