Hi all! Carla from Creatin’ in the Sticks here and I’m happy to be on the Therm-o-Web blog today sharing a super fun project. It’s officially National Craft Month which means all month long we’re spotlighting some of our favorite products and giving you a chance to win. We want you to be able to try them out too! Look for the National Craft Month (NCM) graphic on special projects throughout the month as a signal to sign up to win!
National Craft Month with ThermOWeb
Kicking off National Craft Month we have a fun kids week planned on the blog and it seems like a great time to recycle and create with some of that “outgrown” wardrobe kids always have. Why not take an outgrown favorite and give it a new life? Today I’ll show you how to make a pajama set into a fun kids tote bag. After all, how can we have kids week without a little Baby Shark?
Kids Tote Bag with Upcycled Pajamas
by Carla at Creatin’ in the Sticks
finished size: 6″ x 13″ including handle
Kids Tote Bag Supplies
HEATnBOND® FUSIBLE Medium Weight Interfacing
EZ-Tee Woven Fusible Stabilizer
Pajama set – (this one is size 3T to give you an idea of the size of the tote bag. Make your tote smaller or larger according to the size)
Fabric – 1 fat quarter for lining
Thread – Aurifil thread: 50wt # 4660
Iron – I love my Oliso Pro
Other supplies:
General sewing supplies, ruler, rotary cutter, sharp scissors, sewing machine, etc.
Sewing Instructions:
Please read through all instructions before beginning the tote bag. All seams are stitched 1/4″ unless otherwise stated
Step #1:
Cut the shirt and pants apart at the seams. Lay the shirt with the design for the front of the tote down on an ironing surface and press it flat. Measure the design to decide the size of the tote front. This one is 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″.
Cut 2 pieces of EZ-Tee Woven Fusible Stabilizer – 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ for the front and back of the tote bag. Cut one piece of EZ-Tee Woven Fusible Stabilizer – 3″ x 14″ for the tote bag handle
EZ-Tee Woven Fusible Stabilizer is a lightweight, 100% cotton woven fusible interfacing that adds just enough stability to knit T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jerseys to prevent curling and stretching without adding bulk.
Bond one of the cut 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ pieces of the EZ Tee Stabilizer to the wrong side of the shirt design. Trim the excess shirt away. (Note: if the design is smaller than the desired size, the fabric can be stitched to the sides and top and bottom to make it larger. All of the pieces of the tote will need to be adjusted to the size chosen.)
For the back of the tote bag using either the back of the shirt or the pants. This shirt was plain on the back and the pants had plenty of fabric for the back of the tote and the handle. Bond the other 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ piece of EZ-Tee Stabilizer to the desired area and trim the excess away. Bond the 3″ x 14″ handle piece of EZ-Tee Stabilizer to the wrong side of a pant leg and trim the excess pajama fabric.
Step #2:
Cut HeatnBond Fusible Fleece – 2 pieces 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ for the tote bag and 1 piece 3″ x 14″ for the handle. Fuse the two fusible fleece rectangles to the wrong side of the tote pieces (Bond directly to the EZ-Tee Stabilizer). Follow the package directions to bond the fleece. Quilt the pieces if desired.
Now stitch the 2 outer tote pieces together, right sides together, on sides and bottom with a ¼” seam forming the bag. Leave the top open. Box the bottom corners by forming a triangle at the corner of side seams and bottom by spreading the bag out and matching the seams. Measure 1” from the corner and draw a stitching line on both corners. Stitch across this line on both corners. Set this aside.
Step #3:
From the lining fabric, cut two 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles. Next, two 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles from the HEATnBOND® FUSIBLE Medium Weight Interfacing. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of each lining piece. With right sides together, stitch around three sides leaving a 4” opening at the bottom of the lining for turning later. Square the corners just like before with the outside of the bag. Turn lining right side out.
Step #4:
To construct the handle, first bond the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the EZ-Tee Stabilizer backed 3″ x 14″ strip, centering the fleece lengthwise. Next, fold the edges of the fabric over the fleece and press. Now fold the handle in half lengthwise encasing the raw edges and press. Pin the handle and then stitch along both long edges of the handle.
Step #5:
To construct the bag, first, pin the handle inside the tote bag as shown in the following picture.
Stitch 1/8″ from the top of the bag to hold the handle in place. Next place the lining inside the tote with the lining right side out and the seams matching. The right sides of the lining and the exterior of the tote are together. Place pins around the top.
Stitch around the top of the tote. Stitch around it again to reinforce the straps. Use the opening left in the lining to turn the tote right side out. Press and stitch the opening closed. Push the lining into the bag, press, and pin around the top of the tote. Finish the tote by top-stitching around the top.
Now those favorite pajamas have a new life!
Carla
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HeatnBond
HeatnBond always plays a key role in our fabric projects. From our HeatnBond Fusible Adhesive to our printable EZ Print Sheets to our Interfacing and Fleece! Enter to win a collection of our HeatnBond Lite plus tape, HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond EZ Print Sheets, and our NEW EZ Tee Stabilizer in white! If you’re not familiar with it…it’s not only perfect for today’s upcycle project but also for all your t-shirt quilting! Transform your T-shirts into easy-to-sew quilts, pillows, and more! Lightweight, 100% cotton woven fusible interfacing adds just enough stability to knit T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jerseys to prevent curling and stretching without adding bulk. EZ -TEE keeps quilts as comfy as the shirts used to make them. This prize is worth $45!
