Making Good Use: Pillowcase Tote How-To

A couple of people asked for a how-to about making totes from pillowcases. They're really quick and easy to make, and are ideal for spring and summer.

These are some samples I made to go with the instructions given for my Pillowcase Totes in the first issue of 'Sew Hip'.

Measure 18 inches from the bottom of the pillowcase, draw a straight line at this length across the width of the pillowcase and cut across. This gives the body of the bag. Fold over 1 inch on the top edge of this part of the pillowcase and iron flat. Now fold over a further 1 inch and iron this flat too. This gives a neat seam to the top of the bag.

From the remaining top portion of the pillowcase measure an 8 inch wide strip, avoiding any seamed pieces at the very top of the pillowcase. Draw a straight line across and cut out. Cut the 8 inch wide strip on either side of one side seam, open it out, and carefully cut away an excess material from the innner pillowcase flap (if there is one). This strip will become the handles. Fold the 8 inch strip in half lengthwise and iron a crease. Cut along this crease so that there are two 4 inch strips.

Decide how long you would like your handles to be. I usually make them 23 - 24 inches long. Whatever length you decide you want your handles to be remember to add an extra 3 inches for seaming and attaching the handles to the bag. Try to keep the original pillowcase side seam as the centre of the handles whatever their length. Cut the strips to the required length.

Using an iron, fold each strip in 1 inch at eah short end and iron flat. Then fold in 1 inch along each long side and iron that flat too. Fold the two long sides together and rion flat. This should give you handles that are approx. 1 1/2 inch wide x your chosen length.

A more recent make. A plain pillowcase jazzed up with some vintage linen bird appliques.

Sew down the folded part on each short side of the handles. Then sew along the folded edge length-wise on each handle.

Sew around the top of your bag. Turn the bag inside out and on one side line up the sie seam on top of the centre bottom fold line. This will give you a triangular shape. From the peak of the triangle mark down 3 inches and mark a straight line across. Sew across the line twice for added strength. Repeat the process for the other side of the bag. Turn the bag inside out. (You can miss out this bit if you want a simpler bag shape.)

A lovely spring-like butter-soft printed cotton pillowcase ended up as this bag.

Decide where you want to position the handles on your bag. I usually put them about 4 inches in from each side, and pin the handles in place. Check that the handles match up on each side and that they aren't twisted. Attach the end of each handle to the body of the bag by sewing a rectangular shape around the edge of each one and then diagonally from one corner to another. The transformation from pillowcase to bag is complete.

Please let me know if something is unclear or is a howling error.