Tutorial: Make a Lined Tote Bag from a Pillow Cover

I came across this pillow at a thrift store. It was ripping out along one seam and didn't go with my decor, but I really liked the embroidery, so I decided to make a bag out of it.

I think it was $1. Thrift stores (at least where I live) are literally overflowing with this kind of thing and because it was ripped, this pillow was a likely candidate to end up in the dumpster at the back of the store, eventually. Now it is a cute little bag, perfect for carrying library books or sewing projects. This is a very quick and easy project. A couple of hours, max. Even for an inexperience sewer.Here's how to do it:

#1: Remove the stuffing from the pillow. Don't bother with trying to rip out seams, just take scissors and cut as close as possible to the seam. You will need to trim later anyway.

 

#2: Cut apart the pillow cover at all the seams except the bottom one. Cut away the fringing/piping (if there is any) from the cut edges. Trim off any unevenness. Make sure that the front and the back are exactly the same size. Trim more to even up, if you have to.

#3: Cut two lining pieces. Measure the either the front or the back of  the pillow cover and cut two pieces exactly the same size.

#4: Sew the two lining pieces together. Leave the top open and also leave an opening in the bottom. On this bag I left a 5 inch (13cm) opening. You will need this opening later in step 8. Leave lining inside out.

   

 #5: Sew together the outside of the bag (the former pillow cover). Fold with right sides together and stitch up the sides. The bottom is already stitched together. Take care to keep any fringing or dangling trim from catching in the sides as you sew near the bottom. Press open side seams, turn right side out and press again.

 #6: Fit bag (turned right side out) inside the lining (left inside out). If you've never done this before, you may be convinced that you are doing it all wrong. It looks confusing, but after doing it, this step will make more sense.

 

#7: With the bag fitted completely inside the lining, sew the bag to the lining.

#8: Pull the bag through the opening you left in the lining.

 

 #9: At this point, the whole thing will look something like this. Both the bag and the lining should be showing right sides out. You will still have a slit in the lining. Hand sew that up.

  #10: Stuff the lining into the bag.

#11: Add straps. I used rug binding. Use whatever suitable thing you have on hand. This tutorial shows how to make your own straps. Note to self: Next time position the straps a little closer to the center. The bag gapes a bit when mostly empty.