Tote Bag From Old Jacket

Cotton Velour and Linen Tote Bag

Good old Salvation Army find for $.49 last Monday!  An XL purple cotton velour button down casual jacket had embroidered flowers at the bottom.  The left side is the front of the bag and the right side, the back. Using knowledge from Amy Butler and Lisa Lam, it is made with a gusset, an inside zippered pocket and open pockets, as well as an outside pocket in the gusset using another embroidered flower that was on the back of the jacket. The yellow flower showing on the right is part of the gusset. A gusset is simply one straight piece sewn between front and back...think upholstered seat cushion. This one is 4" wide.

The inside is made from an orchid linen jacket. One of the straps is the front buttonhole placket. Each strap is faced with the linen fabric and attached using the applique stitch on my machine.



A decorative stitch was also used along the top of the open pockets. The tote is lined with fusible fleece, so could be used to transport a laptop, if desired.