Suitcases are great but sometimes all you need is a big weekender tote. Here's a super easy tutorial for creating your own from a vintage blanket. We used real leather for our straps but you could use faux or thrifted belts instead! Have fun customizing your own weekender tote.
1. Supplies: Thrifted blanket or rug, yarn (we used bright yarns c/o Premier Yarns), leather, scissors, needle, large buttons. 2. Begin by cutting out the base and sides of your bag. You can make the bag whatever size works for you best. Our measurements were a 24×16 in. base and the sides pieces were 6 1/2 in. wide and then 24 inches all along the edge of the side. 3. Next, cut out a strip of leather for the handles. The strip should be 4x the length of your bag which made ours 96 inches. This is a very long strip but you can definitely sew strips together so you won't have to purchase as much leather. Once you've cut out the leather, sew it all together, making one big hoop. 4. Next, begin sewing the leather onto the bag with the yarn. We made big, messy stitches with different colored yarn all the way around. 5. Once you've finishing sewing on the leather it will look like so. Make sure the straps have an even length on both sides. 6. Then, begin sewing on the sides of the bag. 7. After you've sewn on the sides, stitch on three buttons to the front. 8. Lastly, stitch along the edge to secure it from fraying. (We only had to stitch one side of the top hem because we used the edge of the blanket for one side). As you're stitching the top hem, add loops of yarn symmetrical to the buttons on the other side. This will be the latch to close the bag shut.
Stuff your bag with a summer dress and a few esstentials and take a weekend trip somwhere this month! xo. emma and elsie
45 Comments
OMG!!! I really need a bag, so glad I’ve found this!
can’t wait to see another D-I-Y bag!
just tripped across your blog- love it. The tutorials are excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Where did you find the leather straps that you used? Everything I find is too thick.
Your tote is looking super cute!
http://therandompursuitofcreativity.blog.com/
What is the stitch used in picture #4? So excited to try this project!
this is amazing! i love it!
So simple, SO cute! Def. gonna try it out. Thanks for the inspiration!
Very informative blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Hi,I,want to trozer to my ead day one is ploo one is grean 120 tool 34 35 lirg…..
Hi to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web page.
this is great
This is a truly creative idea – I love it and immediately wanted to try it! Thanks for the inspiration!
i find your website are splendid..i learn a lot of things from our website,, thanks
AHH! I wish you sold your makings here, even though it’s DIY, I just don’t have the time to make this. It’s just too freaking cute!
Im smitten over this! its gorgeous i cant wait to try one.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Just wanted to say stop by and say that what you share on your blog is amazing! Seriously changing the world one post at a time 🙂
Imaginary applause to you and all the ladies behind A Beautiful Mess!
xoxo
You have such awesome DIYs on your blog. This one I’m gonna have to try out. I’ll definitely be using thrifted leather belts for the straps.
Thank you so much for sharing I love it!
Eclectic and cute!
Sarah
www.tellhershesdreaming.com
Need to do this!
http://www.loganmakesamess.com
I love this! I have a lot of crocheted swatches at home which I could use for the tote’s body. Now where to find leather swatches for the strap?
Love this! Going to have to thrift tomorrow and try and find some belts to use for straps.
This is very…what’s the word..hoboy?? Either way, I love it!
xoxo – http://cachecloset.blogspot.com/
Soo cute, can’t wait to try it out!(:
http://pinkscriptblog.blogspot.com/
Super cute!
http://vivikstyle.blogspot.com
Genius! Old belts would work great instead of basic leather, too.
I love the way you could personalise this bag to suit your own colours etc.Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Fab idea, I’d love to try this!
oh this is so sweet! love the idea. the neon colors are so eyecatching!!
X, Annie
www.anniwear.blogspot.com
This is cute 🙂
love it!!
xo, vicky
http://somehowlovely.blogspot.com
It’s amazing, this!
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
Very cute! Love the idea of having a personalized, handmade bag!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
I love the fun print on that! SO PERFECT for the summer and spring! 🙂
Rory
http://www.wearaboutsblog.com
So cute! And so simple!
So cute. You girls find the best patterns! xo
http://www.insidethebirdcage.com
I love it! I’m going to have to try out some of your ideas soon 🙂
Megan @ Storybook Love Affair
I actually cannot express how much I love this DIY! I am so excited to make my own! Now all I need is to find a rug!
www.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com
AWESOME!!! I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Steph at http://mycreativebrightside.blogspot.com
great idea! perfect for the weekend!
http://www.tinacious.me
Oh I just love this! I’m going to keep my eye out for a cute blanket to try this with now!
Thanks for sharing, ladies!
xo, Allie
you MADE that tote!?
Ok yeah, that one is pretty cool. 🙂
xoxo
~Natasha Fatah~
Really cute project. It would be great to work on while traveling as much as it is good for travel. Thanks for sharing!
This looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I totally want to try it.
amazing! love your blog, elsie!