DIY Canvas Totes

I made these for my two little sisters who like me are slaving away at college. I thought it would be something nice they would like, but would also be practical. Every year I get them the same thing and this year I wanted to do something a little more special. I made both of these in about 5 hours so they don't take very long to make and they really are a pretty inexpensive gift. Enjoy!

What You Need

1 yard canvas

coordinating thread

pins

Straps

iron
1 1/2 yards of webbing for straps

1. Start by measuring out a piece that is 22 inches across by 11 inches long

2. Use pin where you want your ruffled seams as shown

3. Iron down your seams

4. Sew in your ruffle and cut bottoms to round them

5. Cut out two pieces that are 13 inches by 5 inches and two pieces that are 6 inches by 13 inches

6. Sew together the 13x5 inches piece to the 13x6 inch piece and repeat

7. Using your ruffled piece as a template cut out a piece that is the exact size of your ruffled piece

8. Sew one of your pieces from above to your ruffled piece with the smaller of the two pieces being in the middle and sew the other piece to the back you just cut out

9. Pin with the outside of the bag facing inward and sew these two pieces together

10. Fold down top piece one inch and then fold down again and sew around

Straps
1. Cut your webbing in half.
2. Sew your straps on using the inner inch of fabric so you won't have lines on the outside

3. Sew small line of strap to the front to keep inside fabric from being pulled up

Bow(optional)

1. Cut out a piece that is 22x9in

2. Sew close two sides so that you are making kind of a closed sleeve and turn inside out

3. Sew together your ends so that you are making a large circle

4. Cut out a piece of fabric that is 10x3.5 inches and sew into a sleeve as above and then sew together the two ends. Now you should have one small circle and one large circle

5. Push your bigger circle of fabric through your smaller circle and secure to your bag with thread.