Pillowslip tote

Sometimes it's nice to give a special gift, such as perfume or undies, jewellery or a handmade garment, wrapped in tissue paper, in a special soft bag, which is re-usable or pass-on-able.
I am always on the lookout, in charity shops or at carboot sales, for pretty/striking/vintage pillowcases. They are usually 50 pence or less.
Here's a selection of recent finds:

I took one of these and opened it up along the side seams, including the flap so that I had one long piece of material.
Then I cut two approximate squares, as long as the fabric was wide.
I placed these WRONG sides together (right sides facing out) like this:

and stitched as follows:

I said it was tricky, but actually it's not that tricky, once you see what the corner should look like...

You can trim off the triangular corner now if you really want to, but my tote is going to have NO raw edges whatsoever. That little triangle will sit nicely in the bottom of the bag, not bothering anyone.

There goes Mango.

Leaving the bag still inside out, turn it around so that the opening is at the top.

Do this on both front and back, stitch along hem anchoring handles, and then stitch another line right at the top edge. Turn right way out.

I took a few bags into the garden to photograph like they do on all the best blogs, but there were no pieces of stunning antique furniture to display them on, only this...

It's an abandoned and derelict 2 tier rabbit residence, freecycled. Ripe for renovation.
WATCH THIS CRAFTY SPACE.

See you soon.
Eleanor

Comments

[Trees]

What lovely bags and LOVE the glamorous photoshoot!

[Diana]

Great bags and super great instructions! XXX

[Rebecca Smisson]

what gorgeous bags, I use old pillowcases in my patchwork and they are just 25p each at my local thrift shop. I've been eyeing up some pretty vintage ones and now thanks to you I have the perfect excuse to go and buy them

[Suzanne]

What a great tutorial. My sewing machine may actually get to see some fabric action LOL!

[Scrapdolly]

I love this idea

my machine has never sewn fabric - now it wants to