How to Make Tote Bags from Drink Pouches
Making useful items from recycled goods is fun: you can find a new use for an old item, or you can make a beautiful craft project out of what seems like garbage. Save all of the drink pouches that your kids empty. When you have enough drink pouches, you can make a tote bag that is great for just about anything.
Instructions
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1
Cut the tops off the drink pouches and wash out the insides using hot water and dish soap. Open the top enough to help the pouches stand. Stand them upside down and allow them to dry completely.
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2
Layer two pouches with their right sides together. Sew down the sides. Continue sewing the drink pouches together until you have four in a row. Make six rows in total.
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3
Sew three rows together to make the front of the tote bag. Sew three more rows together to make the back of the tote bag.
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4
Take two more drink pouches and sew them together bottom to top, instead of side by side. Add a third drink pouch to make one side strip. Repeat with three more drink pouches for the other side strip.
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5
Take one side strip and lay it length-wise on one edge of the front piece. Align the edges and sew down the side. Repeat the process with the other edge of the side strip and the back part of the tote.
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Sew in the remaining side strip to the other sides of the front and back to form the tote.
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7
Make another strip of pouches for the bottom of the bag. Assemble these in the same manner as the sides. You may need to trim the last one to make it the same length as the purse.
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8
Sew the bottom into the bag, matching up the corners to give the bag shape.
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9
Add some decorative trim around the top edges of the bag.
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Cut two lengths of cording or other heavy trim to make straps. Sew the ends of the straps to the inside of the bag to finish the project.
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Tips & Warnings
-Open the seams of the drink pouches so they are flat. This will help you to eliminate bulk when you are connecting the rows together.
-Make your tote bag a little wider by sewing two rows of drink pouches for the side strips.
-Use clothespins to hold the drink pouches together instead of pins.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
