Cute Navy and Pink Pocket Tote Bag with Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

The next project on my craft list is a practical one, but still cute and with a tutorial too!

I needed a new tote bag to lug around my stuff on weekends.  One that was sturdy, wouldn’t stain easily, and of course would look cute. 

So, I picked out two different fabrics and came up with this blue and pink bag.  It’s trimmed with lace and has a cute printed pocket on the outside and one on the inside as well.

To make one for yourself you will need:

• 2 contrasting fabrics, about 1 yard of each.
• Matching thread
• Basic sewing supplies
• Basic sewing knowledge
• (Optional) Interfacing, see below.
• (Optional) Sewing machine, hand sewing is possible.
• Lace or other trim, about 2 yards.
• (Optional) DVDs, Netflix, etc. because movies and sewing projects go well together.

These are the fabrics I used.  One is some navy blue poly poplin I had leftover from a dress and a costume, this is for the outside of the back.  It’s a nice color that won’t show dirt easily.

For the inside (or lining) of the bag I used more of the that cute pink flannel I used for my 2DS Case.  Told you it would pop up again.

I didn’t bother with interfacing because both of my fabrics are pretty thick, but I recommend it for thinner or easily wrinkled material.  You will want to use it on the pockets, straps, and the outer fabric.

Anyway, cut 2 squares of fabric about 20 x 20 in. (51 x 51 cm.) from each of your fabrics.  This makes a bag that’s large enough to carry my laptop, you may wish to make yours a little smaller.

Next, cut two rectangles 9 x 15 in. (23 x 38 cm.) from your inner fabric.  These will be pockets, one for the inside and one on the outside.

Proceed to hem the top edge of each pocket.  If you are going to add lace to the pocket, this is the time to do it.

Fold back the other edges of the pocket and pin to one of the squares of inner fabric before sewing down the pocket.  Repeat with the outer fabric.

After sewing on the pocket, you can sew a line down the center to divide it into two pockets.  This is purely optional, but fun.

Now it’s time to start assembling the bag.  Pin the two squares together with right sides facing, then sew the sides and bottom.  Repeat for the inner fabric as well.

Here I have my “lining” with the bottom corner turned and pinned flat.  I just sew along the pins, repeat on the other corner and…

…boom!   Flat bottomed bag!

Just need to repeat for the outer fabric part.  Of course, this is optional, but it’s a nice little detail.  If you need more help, here’s a great video tutorial for doing this.

Almost done now.  Stick your lining into the outer part with rights sides together and pin them along the top edge.  Sew around the top, but leave a hand size bit open.

When you finish sewing, turn it all “right side” out,  then carefully tuck your inner part into your brand new bag!

Well, it’s almost a bag.  Pin along the top edge again and top stitch to close the unsewn part and to make the bag neat. 

And now the body of the bag is complete.  Let’s get those straps done.

Cut two long rectangles 3 x 26 in. (7.5 x 66 cm.) for each strap.  I chose to use pink on one side and blue on the other of each strap, but do what you like.

With right sides together, pin and sew along the long side of each strap, leave the ends open. Then carefully turn them right sides out.  This might take sometime, but that’s why we watch movies while sewing.

After turning, tuck the ends in and pin along all around the straps before sewing along the edges.

Pin the straps on the bag where you want them.  Try the bag on before sewing the straps in place.

Now you can add some lace or trim along the top edge of the bag.

Confession: I added the lace too soon and it got in my way.  I also forgot to add the pocket lace before sewing the pocket on the bag, so I had to do it by hand afterwards.  :(

Anyway, now the bag is done and ready to haul all your junk, but in a cute way!

Here’s the updated list:

• 3 piece outfit
• Holder
• First aid cases
• Umbrella
• Tea set
• Tote

Four down, just two more to go.  The next one will be up fairly soon, try to guess what it will be.

Give it a try:

• Loops & Threads™ Start-to-Sew Kit
• HeatnBond Fusible Interfacing 20 in. x 1 yd. Medium Weight
• Coats & Clark Dual Polyester Thread

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First Aid Kit to Cute Nintendo 2DS Case

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

As promised yesterday, here’s the next project on my craft list.  But first, let me share something new and wonderful.

My Nintendo 2DS XL.

I got it (on sale!) about two months ago, and it’s been entertaining (and distracting) me ever since.

I originally was looking at the cheaper Nintendo 2DS bundles, but I went with this one because the screen was larger and it’s able to play more games.  You can compare all the features on this site.

Anyway, I thought that my nice new handheld gaming console could use a nice case to carry it along with all the games and accessories I find myself lugging around.

Enter the first aid kit case, we sell it at work (I work in a CVS drug store). 

There was a deal where if you bought three first aid items you would get a coupon for a free case.  Long story short, I now have five free cases.  Got to find a use for them all somehow.

It has plenty of built in pockets and a zippered one too.  Perfect for storing plenty of things, besides Band-Aids.

The downside is it isn’t that cute looking.  The CVS logo screams medical supplies.

It’s time to fix that, let’s take this plain looking case and make it super cute!

First, I cut two pieces of fabric large enough to cover the sides of the case, plus a little extra to finish the raw edges.  I found it easier to cut some paper to the size I wanted first, and then use that as a “pattern”.

This is the fabric I used, it’s a super cute pink flannel print I found at SAS.  I bought several yards of it, so you will be seeing more projects with it.

I cut the corners of the fabric before folding and pinning back the edges.  This takes care of those raw edges.

Then I added lace along the edges.

With the fabric all prepped and ready, I pinned it to the sides of the case and carefully sewed it on with a zig-zag stitch.

I used a zig-zag stitch because I knew the stitches would show on the inside, and thought the zig-zags would look cuter.

Add a bow on the front, and the outside of the case is done.

Now for the inside I wanted a little more pocket space, surprisingly.

I cut another piece of fabric the same width as the other ones, but three times the length.  I then finished the raw edges by folding them once and zig-zaging around.

I did it that way instead of a regular hem to reduce the bulk, flannel is quite thick.

Then fold the bottom third up, sew the sides and bottom to create an instant pocket….

…Only to realize afterward that I should have sewn on the Velcro before sewing the pocket.  It would have been so much easier.  Lesson learned.

Then I stitched a line down the pocket to make two smaller ones for organizing my junk.  The one is for extra styluses, and the other is for screen wipes and other stuff.

I attached it to the bottom of the case.  It kind of reminds me of a binder pencil case now.

And with that the case is finished and ready to fill.

Here I have my chargers and power bank neatly secured in their pockets.

And here, I have my 2DS XL in it’s new pocket along with my game cards in their zippered pocket.

Speaking of games, here’s how I store them to keep them free of dust and scratches.  They are kept in what appears to be tiny zip lock baggies when not in use.

These are actually tiny medicine bags I also bought at work.  You can find them at most drug stores.  They are also handy for storing tiny craft supplies, like beads.

Here’s the updated list:

• 3 piece outfit
• Holder
• First aid cases
• Umbrella
• Tea set
• Tote

Three down, three more to go.

Give it a try:

• New Nintendo® 2DS™ XL – Black and Turquoise
• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's
• CVS Health First Aid Kit Case
• VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible Sew-On

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Plain to Pretty Black Umbrella Makeover

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

The next project on my craft list is another makeover, this time for an umbrella.

I found myself having to replace my umbrella, again.  This time I decided to invest in one I was sure would last awhile before breaking on me. 

I got this Totes stick umbrella, which was a little more than what I usually pay for umbrellas, but is totally worth it.

It opens and closes easily, dries quickly when wet, has held up to winds that have snapped previous umbrellas, and has one of the nicest and softest feeling handles I have ever touched.

I intentionally got it in black because it both makes it less likely to get really dirty and makes it better as a sun umbrella (check out this article about that).

The downside is that it isn’t as pretty as other umbrellas, but that is way too easy to fix.  We just need to add some…

…Lace!

I got this wide lace ages ago from SAS intending to use it for an umbrella.  It’s just like the lace I used for the white umbrella I decorated before (that got super dirty looking before breaking on me, sigh).

I like it specifically because it’s a pretty non-cottony lace.  I don’t recommend cotton laces because they are very absorbent.  When you use an umbrella for both sun and rain, adding something that absorbs a ton of water will make it take forever to dry.  Not to say that this lace won’t take a ton of time to dry too.

I started by ruffling the lace using my sewing machine by using the longest stitch length and setting the tension higher.

The circumference of the umbrella is 124 in. (315 cm.) and I needed twice as much lace to make my lace ruffle plus a little extra for overlap.  The quicker option is to choose a lace that is already ruffled, but that narrows the selection quite a bit.

After ruffling, I pinned my lace along the edge of the umbrella.  Looking nicer already.

Now, I could have sewn the lace ruffle on by hand, but I was feeling lazy about it.  So, I glued it on with a glue gun.

First, I carefully glued down the sections of lace between the pins.

Then I removed the pins one by one and glued down those areas.

I went around a couple more times to glue spots I missed and remove those annoying strings left by the glue gun (I watched a lot of videos while doing all of this).

Finally, I made some little ribbon bows to add along the lace (check out my video tutorial for simple bows if you wish).

And now the umbrella, or should I say, parasol is finished and ready for use.

It is looks so pretty and the lace ruffle gives it a very poufy look, however…

…It’s not too poufy to close up!  I was afraid I would have to change the strap.

Here’s the updated list:

• 3 piece outfit
• Holder
• First aid cases
• Umbrella
• Tea set
• Tote

Two down, four more to go.  The next one should be up tomorrow, look forward to it!

Give it a try:

• Totes Auto Open Water-Resistant Stick Umbrella, Black
• ArtMinds® Fashion Mini Glue Gun
• Celebrate It® 360°™ Double-Faced Satin Ribbon, 3/8"
• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's

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