Liz makes a reversible tote bag

A long time ago, my mom got me this sweet math fabric. I think she got it from Spoonflower's website. Anyway, I've had it for two years+ and I finally thought of some way to use it -- a reversible tote bag! Here's how you can make one too.

First, you'll need to cut one piece of fabric that's 40" long and 4" wide for the straps.

You'll also need to cut four squares or rectangles. Mine were about 16" x 16", but you can make yours any size you want. I chose two different fabrics that I thought went well together.

Now to make the straps. Get your iron out and iron the strap in half. Then put the edges into the center and iron flat. Fold in half and iron flat again. Go to your sewing machine and change your settings to the length of your stitches is small. I turned mine down to one. Sew down each side. After you're done sewing, cut the piece into two equal pieces. Now you have two straps!

I forgot to take a picture of the actual next step, but it's really easy. With two of the matching fabric pieces, place right sides together and sew along three sides. Repeat with the other patterned fabric.

Now pinch your corners together and sew across 1 1/2". Do this will all four corners on both linings.

Clip the corners with a pair of pinking shears.

Turn one of the linings right-side out. Leave the other as is. Place one inside the other, making sure the right sides are together.

Place the handles inside and between the linings. Make sure they're evenly spaced. I made mine 3 1/2" away from each side. Pin them down!

Sew all the way around the top edge.

Leave a gap open. Now turn it inside-out and push the lining down into the bag.

Sew across the top edge. This will make sure the gap you previously left open will be sewn shut. Again, for this, I used a small stitch. In my opinion, smaller stitches look more professional.

All finished! Now admire your hard work. Turn it inside out a thousand times and decide which side you like best. It's too bad my math fabric turned out upside down, but I'm not too worried about it.

I still think it looks great! I bet these would make great, easy gifts for just about any woman or child, depending on which fabric you choose.

Have a great week!

Love, Liz