How to Turn old bedsheets into shopping totes

Paper or plastic is a thing of the past; both options are equally terrible for the environment. With this tutorial, learn how to turn your old bed sheets into funky grocery tote bags. You will be the envy of everyone at the store with these adorable, homemade bags.

You Will Need

• A large sheet of paper

• A pen

• A measuring tape

• Scissors

• A sheet

• A cutting mat

• Sewing pins

• A needle and thread sewing machine

• An iron and ironing board

• A sewing machine (optional)

• Pillowcases (optional)

• Distilled water (optional)

Step 1: Make pattern

Make a pattern for the tote on the paper and measure two 9- by 3-inch patterns for the handles. Then cut out the patterns.

Step 2: Fold sheet in half, place pattern, and pin

Fold the sheet in half on the cutting mat, and place the tote and handle patterns on the sheet with the pattern's bottom edge at the sheet's fold. Pin the pattern to the sheet.

Step 3: Cut tote bag and handles

Cut your tote bag and handles from the sheet using the pattern edges as a guide. Do not cut the fold. Remove the paper patterns and re-pin the bag pieces with the right sides together.

Step 4: Sew seams of tote, open, and iron

Sew ½-inch seams on each side of the tote. Do not sew the folded edge. Then open the seams and iron them flat.

Step 5: Fold and iron top to make hem

Fold the top over 3/8 of an inch and iron. Then fold the top over ½ inch and iron again. Sew along the top edge, close to the edge of the hem.

Step 6: Fold and iron handles

Open each handle at the fold and lay it flat. Fold ¼-inch of each side of both handles, and then iron. Then fold the sides another ¼-inch and iron again.

Step 7: Hem handles

Hem the edges of each handle and turn the bag right side out.

Step 8: Pin and sew handles

Pin and sew the handles to the bag using the tote's top edge as a guide and making a ½-inch seam.