Many of you requested a tutorial for my pillowcase grocery bags. They are super easy and quick to make, involving only straight line sewing. The straps actually take a bit more time than the bag itself, but still easy enough. Hopefully these instructions are easy to follow.

Here is what you will need:

–Cutting mat or nice large space to work on
–scissors (rotary cutter optional)
–Thrifted pillow case (any size), washed and ironed
–Sewing machine, thread, pins and sewing needles(optional)
–hot iron
–About one hour of time and some good music.

  1. Turn pillowcase inside-out and fold in half long-ways.
  2. Cut a 3-4 inch strip off of one side. Save the long strip for the straps.
  3. Open and lay flat. Pin together the open sides. You will be sewing this together in the following manner, leaving a 6 inch (15cm) gap in the center.
  4. Cut a 2 inch square (a) off of all four corners (b) making sure to measure from the folded edge and and seam, not the rough edge.
  5. Following THESE instructions, you are going to square off each corner (c).
  6. When all four corners are sewn, flip the bag right side out through the open gap and sew the gap closed (hand or machine– I used my machine for this). Now you will have a completely sewn shut, empty pillowcase with squared off corners.
  7. Now the fun (and kinda hard to explain) part… Fold the pillowcase into itself by stuffing the just sewn together gap-end into the bottom of the opposite end. The sewn together gap-end will be the inside bottom of your bag(d) and the squared-off corners will meet together on each side(e). Does this make any sense at all?
  8. Once all the corners meet(f), iron and then sew around the top edge. Now you are ready for the straps

There are many ways to make straps, this is just how I do it. I just don’t like sewing all around the edges of a skinny strap and then try to turn it right side out of a little hole on the end.

  1. Cut off the big hemmed end off of the remaining strip. Fold the strip in half long-ways and cut again. These will be your two straps. They should be 12-16inches long each.
  2. With the right sides facing in, sew together the short ends of each strap, leaving one long side open.
  3. Trim the corners(g) and turn right-side out.
  4. Following the picture above, fold the ends towards the inside so that the raw edges are tucked inside(h-j). Once it is straight and flat(k), press with an iron and sew together(l-m).
  5. Lastly, sew one strap to each side of your bag with big criss-cross squares(n) and you are done!!!

Now, my editor (Mr Creative Kismet, who really isn’t very creative as far as sewing is concerned, but did major in english lit) said “um, this sounds good and seems to make sense?”. What he was really trying to say was that he hasn’t a clue if this sounds right. SO, if any of you sewing buddies of mine out there in blog land think I need to tweek anything on this, please shout out, because I did use some of my own terminology which may, or may not, be helpful in this tutorial. Thanks!

31 Responses to “Pillowcase Tote Tutorial”

  1. Yoonie Says:

    Love your tutorial. Come visit my blog…All the way from Malaysia.

  2. jonipossin Says:

    I love ‘tutorials’!! I’m so glad I found you… how VAST this blogworld is! Your header inspired me without reading any further. It’s so bright and inviting.

    I’ve been making pillowcases but haven’t made anything from a pillowcase. Here’s my opportunity.

    I’ll close so I can go back and read your previous posts. That and a cuppa tea sounds good right now.

    Fall hugs,
    Joni

  3. Michelle Says:

    thanks! this is great!

  4. Michelle Says:

    Wow, how long did that tutorial take for you to photograph, set up, and post? You probably could have make half a dozen totes in that time, huh? :0) Thanks for taking all the effort, I’m off to the thrift store to search for… guess what?

  5. Crafting, really! Stop laughing! « Alpine Life Says:

    […] a cold and don’t have enough energy to leave the house. So following the directions given on Creative Kismet and a page torn from Woman’s Day that my mother lovingly tore out for me (maybe two years […]

  6. Kristi Says:

    That’s great and thank you for sharing.

  7. Sandra :) Says:

    I’m heading to the thrift store tomorrow to pick up some pc’s — they’re a buck each [Newmarket, Ontario, Canada :)]. I’ve bought them before to cut up for fabric for quilts, but never thought of using the pillowcase itself as the basis for a project - this is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you!!

  8. Lynn Says:

    Wow! Wanted to make something interesting for Xmas. Now I have the sure thing. Thanks!

  9. Charlene Says:

    I actually had the very same print on my sheets and pillow cases back in the 70’s! GROOVY!!

  10. Sharon Says:

    This is awesome! I needed a quick and easy bag pattern for my teen group! Thank you SO much!

  11. Jeannette Says:

    LOVE IT. (And great pattern on the fabric too!)

  12. Mary_Freebies Says:

    Nice tote bag!

  13. Amy Says:

    OMIGOSH…I had to comment because I had those same sheets when I was a little girl!!! I found you from over at Scribbit…love your tutorials!!

  14. Crafty Gifts to Make | Christmas 2008, present and sale Says:

    […] case tote. Have any pretty pillowcases you can’t bear to throw away? Creative Kismet has this tutorial to make them into classy totes. Here’s another version from Maize’s Dairy using vintage […]

  15. Pillowcase Tote - Sewing Tutorial » TipNut.com Says:

    […] feature is from Creative Kismet with a fabulous Pillowcase Tote Tutorial. Many of you requested a tutorial for my pillowcase grocery bags. They are super easy and quick to […]

  16. Debbie Says:

    This is a great project. I just had one question about squaring off the corners. Do you just sew them or do you turn them some way, Im a little lost there (sorry new sewer). Can anyone clarify for me? :)

  17. SewDelish Says:

    Fantastic. I can’t wait to have a go, I know I have some odd pillowcases here somewhere!
    http://sewdelish.blogspot.com/

  18. Dj Says:

    Thanks so much for this tutorial. I made my first one today and it turned out great.

    http://flickr.com/photos/djlinedancer/2209860125/

  19. Darn Those Plastic Grocery Bags « Daisyeyes Says:

    […] Pillowcase Bag […]

  20. cottagelover Says:

    I love it and will make lots. may put velcro on top for kids to use for fun.

  21. Sarah-Ann Says:

    Too cute! I love it.

    Hugs and love
    Sarah-Ann

  22. Sarah au Says:

    […] No sewing got done last week. I have been incredibly slack and still haven’t sewn his library bag, so I’m going to try and sneak it in between getting home tomorrow and Tyler getting home from Nan and pops. Wish me luck. I also want to do http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/10/27/pillowcase-tote-tutorial/ […]

  23. Cathie Says:

    Thank you for this! My first tote has become my “shabby chic” purse and now I am about to make more!

    Oh, I found you from Lisa’s blog! http://lisaboyer.blogspot.com

    Cath

  24. Paper vs Plastic? Or Cotton vs Canvas? Says:

    […] - Keep a wallet-sized fold-up shopping bag with you at all times. Creative Kismet - Shows you how to turn your old pillowcases into a cute shopping bag. morsbags.com -  Download […]

  25. Nancy-Rose Says:

    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I’ve already made two bags this morning and you can check my blog for photos.

  26. I’ll do my part « Isle B. Stitching Says:

    […] Kismet shows how to use a pillow case to make a grocery bag. Just looking at the photo I would never have […]

  27. Paper or Plastic? | Information Shack Says:

    […] - Keep a wallet-sized fold-up shopping bag with you at all times. Creative Kismet - Shows you how to turn your old pillowcases into a cute shopping bag. morsbags.com - Download easy […]

  28. Charli Says:

    I have a question regarding the corners also…did I miss a step somewhere? the picture isn’t very informative and I can’t seem to figure it out! Any help would be appreciated… :)

  29. Ellen Guerrant Says:

    I had that very pillowcase, but in the blue colorway, back in the late 1960’s. How cool to see its twin on your tutorial! Ellen.

  30. apaoall Says:

    many many beautiful.. you bag and the tutorial.
    sorry for my english..
    ciao
    ciao
    anna paola italy

  31. isle b stitching Says:

    […] Tote Tutorial… off of all four corners b making sure to measure from the folded edge and and …http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/10/27/pillowcase-tote-tutorial/Extra Pockets Since Taylor invited a friend over for the afternoon, I found some time to start on […]

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