The zipper broke the first week I bought the bag and I’ve been using it without being able to close it for a long time. I was ready to part with it because the straps were too long and thin and it was awkward to carry. I didn’t feel right about donating a broken bag, so it’s been collecting dust and I desperately wanted to upcycle it into something useful. Here’s how to make a magazine basket, lid handle holders and coasters from your own broken bag pile. Next » Magazine Basket
Magazine Basket
To start, cut off the top portion of the tote bag, straps and all. Then, I sew double folded bias tape around the top edges. With one of the straps cut in half, I add one of the two pieces to each side for handles.
Turn the bag inside out, and sew the bottom lining fabric (you can use any fabric do this if you don’t have enough matching fabric) to the left and right sides of the bag to make sleeves on both sides. Insert cardboard or any tough piece of material to make the sides of the bag stiffer.
And now, my pile of magazines that I AM PLANNING TO read has a more attractive home. Next »Lid Handle Holders
Lid Handle Holders
With the top portions of the bag (the portions that were next to the zipper), I made these easy peasy lid handle holders. To make a set of your own, cut the fabric in 9″ by 3.5″ a piece (I had enough for two). Then sew bias tape on the short ends. Fold the ends up about 1.5″ up, and sew bias tape along the long sides. And that’s it!! Obviously, this size was perfect for my hands but you can make it in any size you want. Next » Coasters
Coasters
Finally, there was even enough fabric leftover to make these shabby chic coasters! To make your own, simply run zig zagged stitches around the edges and across the squares. You can also use biased tape to finish your coasters, but I ran out. It’s amazing that from one broken bag, I ended up with all these goodies and the only thing that was left in the end, was…the broken zipper!
What are you upcycling these days?
