crafts
Pillowcase Tote Tutorial
Don't you love shortcuts?, especially when the end result looks anything but quick and easy!
Because this reusable shopping tote is made from a pillowcase, it’s halfway finished
before you even start it. Using a standard pillowcase allows you to skip some of the
cutting and sewing steps you’d normally encounter—which means less time fussing and
more time creating! The bag is surprisingly strong and takes up almost no space when
folded, making it a great shopping bag or extra travel tote.
18 3/4" x 26" (47.5cm x 66cm)
supplies
• Standard pillowcase
(approximately 20" x 30" [51cm x
76cm])
• Iron and ironing board
• Ruler
• Seam ripper
• 2 packages (8 yards) [7.3m]
1/4"- (6mm-) wide double-fold
bias tape in contrasting color
• Sewing machine and thread to
match pillowcase and bias tape
1. Iron the pillowcase to get out all the
wrinkles. Fold the pillowcase in half
lengthwise with the opening at the
top and the fold on the right. On the
folded side edge, mark a point approximately
15" (38cm) from the bottom.
On the opposite side, mark a
point approximately 16" (40.5cm)
from the bottom. On the top edges
mark points approximately 3 7/8"
(10cm) in from each side. Draw the
bag handles as shown, connecting
each side point to the top of the pillowcase.
Use a ruler to help draw
straight lines and to keep the straps
2 1/4" (5.5cm) wide for the most part,
until they begin to curve toward the
side edges. Open the pillowcase up;
it will look like a tank top.
2. Using a seam ripper, rip out the pillowcase
hem at the top of all the
straps and iron flat.
3. Fold the pillowcase in half again, as
before, and trim straps so the whole
piece measures approximately 29"
(74cm) from the bottom of the pillowcase.
I love shortcuts, especially when the end result looks anything but quick and easy!
Because this reusable shopping tote is made from a pillowcase, it’s halfway finished
before you even start it. Using a standard pillowcase allows you to skip some of the
cutting and sewing steps you’d normally encounter—which means less time fussing and
more time creating! The bag is surprisingly strong and takes up almost no space when
folded, making it a great shopping bag or extra travel tote.
Because this reusable shopping tote is made from a pillowcase, it’s halfway finished
before you even start it. Using a standard pillowcase allows you to skip some of the
cutting and sewing steps you’d normally encounter—which means less time fussing and
more time creating! The bag is surprisingly strong and takes up almost no space when
folded, making it a great shopping bag or extra travel tote.
18 3/4" x 26" (47.5cm x 66cm)
supplies
• Standard pillowcase
(approximately 20" x 30" [51cm x
76cm])
• Iron and ironing board
• Ruler
• Seam ripper
• 2 packages (8 yards) [7.3m]
1/4"- (6mm-) wide double-fold
bias tape in contrasting color
• Sewing machine and thread to
match pillowcase and bias tape
1. Iron the pillowcase to get out all the
wrinkles. Fold the pillowcase in half
lengthwise with the opening at the
top and the fold on the right. On the
folded side edge, mark a point approximately
15" (38cm) from the bottom.
On the opposite side, mark a
point approximately 16" (40.5cm)
from the bottom. On the top edges
mark points approximately 3 7/8"
(10cm) in from each side. Draw the
bag handles as shown, connecting
each side point to the top of the pillowcase.
Use a ruler to help draw
straight lines and to keep the straps
2 1/4" (5.5cm) wide for the most part,
until they begin to curve toward the
side edges. Open the pillowcase up;
it will look like a tank top.
2. Using a seam ripper, rip out the pillowcase
hem at the top of all the
straps and iron flat.
3. Fold the pillowcase in half again, as
before, and trim straps so the whole
piece measures approximately 29"
(74cm) from the bottom of the pillowcase.
I love shortcuts, especially when the end result looks anything but quick and easy!
Because this reusable shopping tote is made from a pillowcase, it’s halfway finished
before you even start it. Using a standard pillowcase allows you to skip some of the
cutting and sewing steps you’d normally encounter—which means less time fussing and
more time creating! The bag is surprisingly strong and takes up almost no space when
folded, making it a great shopping bag or extra travel tote.
