A Place for A Tote

I am such a sucker for an shiny, new, expensive bag. Seriously, the women in the department store see me with my wide eyes and drooling mouth and practically trip over each other trying to get to me. I know a lot of people think it's a waste, but it really is something I enjoy (read: don't be looking for an apology from me anytime soon).

But I must admit, a little of my joy is somewhat zapped from me when I open my bag looking for my favorite lip gloss and instead of putting my fingers on that shiny red tube with the double crossed C's, I instead yank out a train, a car, small box of crayons, a small board book, children's chewable Tylenol, a rock, a stick, or something of the like. You get my drift. I essentially have joint custody of my bags, as more and more they seem to be catch-alls for the mini's little trinkets and treasures. But since both of the boys are now potty trained (seriously, THANK YOU JESUS!!), I really have no need to tote around a large cumbersome diaper bag anymore.

Instead, what I really decided I needed, was a multi-functional, small-ish tote bag that I can keep in the car and bring into places like restaurants and Dr's offices with us. I'm reclaiming my bags! It doesn't need to hold much. Just a pad of paper, some twistable crayons, a few little cars and trains, perhaps a book or two, and of course, let's not forget that Children's chewable Tylenol.

So as I was out running around, I ran across the cutest sort of french provincial looking brown and green scalloped place mats, and I decided they would make the cutest fabric for a tote bag. I'm sure you can see where this is headed. I picked them up, and then picked up two solid colored green rectangular place mats as well, and set off with a plan in my head.

You Will Need
2-4 place mats (4 if you want outer pockets on each side, 2 if you just want a basic tote)

thread to match your place mats

Grosgrain Ribbon for handles

Cotton webbing for handles

Since my place mats were round, this made my project a little more challenging. So in my case, I had to determine the size and shape of my bag and how I wanted it to look with the pockets. I pretty much played around with the place mats, pinning them here and there, holding up my creation, until I had it all figured out.

I decided I wanted a rectangular bag with large pocket on each side. So I placed my round place mat on top of my rectangular one, pinned them together, then cut a straight line across each side, allowing for a 1/2" seam allowance. I also had to trim off the bottom too. I then took the still pinned together round and rectangular place mat, and surged the cut ends in my sewing machine. Do that to the other set of pinned together round and rectangular place mats as well.

So now you have two halves of your bag, with all your cut edges surged. Place the two halves together, right side together, and sew along your three seams to create your bag. Use the one edge that did not have to be cut, as the top of your bag (the open side). Now, because my place mats were on the thick side, I did a strong stitch on the bag and went over it a second time just for reassurance (I mean, can't you just see me walking through the pediatrician's office with my little tote and Thomas the Tank Engine's little face falling out of a hole?). Once that's done, then flip the bag right-side out, and use an unsharpened pencil to stick inside to poke the corners of the bag out really well.

Now we're onto the handles. If you want, you could just use grosgrain ribbon for the handles. I wanted a slightly sturdier handle for myself, so I sewed my grosgrain ribbon to the cotton webbing. Very easy. Then all I did was sew each handle to the bag and I was done. Check it out on the left here. Simple as that, and I've now regained full custody of all my bags!

For a variation of the bag I made, you can also check out complete instructions on how to make this place mat bag at J Caroline Creative. I’ve mentioned them before and they really are a superb source for all things creative. So if you didn’t take my word for it last time I mentioned them, then make sure you do this time, or seriously, you are on your own. Still looking for more design options? Then perhaps this boxy monogrammed number will suit your fancy. And just in case it does, you know I’m not leaving you to figure it out on your own (not that I doubt your ability). You can get detailed instructions complete with step by step photo’s over at Crafters Vision. Now, I’ve never been to nor heard of this Crafters Vision site. So being the curious person I am, you know I looked around a bit. And you know what? They had several more place mat purse designs to chose from, all with great, detailed instructions and photos. And you know monogram momma is all about giving you options, so if you want to do the “original” place mat purse then go here. But are you still looking for a more versatile bag to match your preppy look from day to day? Then you definitely want to check out the Quick Change Purse where changing the look of your bag is as simple as changing out your grosgrain ribbon (and I know all you preppy girls are up to your headbands in grosgrain).