Hold on to your hats and glasses friends, today’s tote is pretty doggone awesome. Remember last week’s clutch? Well ladies and jellyfish, this project may just take the cake when it comes to purses made from unsuspecting materials. This poor throw pillow didn’t see it coming. He was sitting there on the shelf at Target, minding his own business, hoping to soon take up residence on someone’s couch. Maybe cozy up for an afternoon nap. Welp, Mr. Throw Pillow, I had different plans for you. Namely gutting you of all your fluffy stuffing and turning you into a tote bag. Don’t worry, Mr. Throw Pillow, everyone is going to love the new you. You look so much thinner as a tote bag. If we’re being honest, you were looking a little thick around the midsection.
What you need:
- a throw pillow – any one will do. I bought this one at Target.
- 3 -4 yards of cotton rope available at Joann Fabrics. The amount of rope you need will depend on how long you want the straps of your tote to be.
- Four skeins of embroidery floss
- Extra Large Eyelet Kit
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Use scissors to open up one of the seams
- Pull out all that pillow stuffing!
- Use fabric glue to fold down the raw edges. I folded them over twice just to make sure they stay in place. Let the glue dry completely before moving to the next step.
- Attach grommets to the top of the tote bag. You’ll just need to follow the instructions on the grommets, but basically you will cut a small hole in the tote then hammer the grommets into place.
- Thread the rope through the grommets. I doubled the rope to create a thicker strap, but it’s totally up to you!
- Fold the strap back onto itself and then use a hot glue gun to secure
- Now use embroidery floss to add a pretty accent to the strap. I just wrapped and wrapped and wrapped until the embroidery floss was about 1″ wide, then you can use a snug knot and a dab of craft glue to keep the floss in place.
Seriously, how easy and how cool is that! The only downside to this project is that all your throw pillows are now in extreme danger of being turned into totes.
Happy toting, friends! And if you’re still reading, I have three things for you. First, a million love bucks, because I’m convinced that absolutely no one actually READS blog posts anymore. Second, if you are a snap chatter like me, you should probably make your way over and follow @damasklove because I’ve got a pretty cool announcement and you can get the jump on it before tomorrow’s post. Last, I’m thinkin’ I’ll hop on Periscope today. I’m headed to one of my favorite scrap stores and I’d love if you’d tag along.
Okay, home skillets. I’ll see you on the flipside. Whatever that means.
read the WHOLE thing, and love your tote; thanx for the inspiration!
Amber, you are a crafting madwoman! Love this awesome tote bag!
Such a cute idea for a summer tote to the beach! thanks for sharing 😉
What a brilliant idea! Love it.
Girl, you are crazy talented!!
I would have never ever, even in my dreams fathom a pillow cover turning into chic tote!!
Well done, I am mesmerized really
I would love to come craft with you some day. You’re so good.
Genius!!! What a fantastic idea! And the pattern of your tote is just beautiful!
I am into crafts also and I LOVE your tote. I am into making STRING DOLLS.
Well, I read your blogs because you are a hoot. I also watched your HSN presentation on the Fuse tool. I already have it but you made me want to order another one. You have great presentation skills – both in writing and in person. What a bright light you are. All the best.
Again, you are a GENIUS! I have several throw pillows that I don’t really use, but don’t want to throw away. What a sharp idea. My granddaughters will love their totes from pillows. You have great inspiration and ideas. I’ll be following your website from now on!
lookie here
New subscriber, and yes read the whole thing! Thanks for link to grommets.
So enjoyed you on HSN on 7-6. Great job!
Fellas who of you play Pokemon GO? Amazing game,
finally Squirtle has been caught using pokebusterbot.
With this bot you can catch pokemons on autopilot!