How to Transform Woven Placemats into a Tote Bag, by Miarti - Reuse on YouTube. 2 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Lay the two oval placemats on the cotton lining fabric. Cut around each one, leaving enough extra fabric to fold over the edges later.
Machine stitch each placemat to its lining along the contour. Leave a small opening on each so you can turn it right side out.
Trim the excess lining to a 1 cm seam allowance. Turn each piece right side out and clip around the contour to flatten the curve.
Sew a straight topstitch along the edge of each piece, closing the turning opening as you go.
Mark a straight line 4 cm from the edge on each piece. Place the pieces wrong sides together and stitch along the marked line.
Open the workpiece and fold the bottom edges wrong side out. Machine stitch the folds to shape the flat base.
Cut two webbing handles 60 cm long and mark 11 cm from each edge. Fold the handle ends, slide cord inside for volume and stitch them flat.
Fold the lining top edges inward. Insert the handle ends, clip them in place and stitch along the folded top edge to attach them.
Fold the handles up and clip them. Sew extra securing stitches where each handle meets the bag.
Fold the bag in half with the lining side out and align the side edges. Stitch the sides, then hand-sew the open edges with blind stitches and turn the bag right side out.
Tips and common mistakes
Clip the curved seams before turning so the oval edges lie flat instead of puckering.
Backstitch at the handle joins, since these points carry the most weight.
Use a denim or heavy-duty needle if the woven placemat is thick.
Keep your seam allowance even at 1 cm, or the two sides will not match when you join them.
Questions
Can I use round or square placemats instead of oval ones?
Yes. The method works with any shape, but the finished bag will follow that outline. Square placemats give a more boxy tote.
Do I need a sewing machine?
A machine makes the long seams much faster and stronger. You can hand-sew with a backstitch, but it will take longer and the handles need firm stitching.
What size bag does this make?
The finished bag measures about 29 x 18 x 5 cm, or 11 3/8 x 7 1/8 x 2 inches. Two standard oval placemats give roughly this size.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
