Placemat Tote/Scripture Tote

I've seen a few of these online, but I couldn't ever find a tutorial on how to do the sides/bottom . . . and I got tired of looking, so I got brave and experimented on my own. . .

Supplies

-placemat (I got mine at Wal-Mart for under $2)

-sewing machine

-ribbon

-embelishments

Steps

1. fold your placemat in half and notch out 1.5" on each corner (unfolded, you'll have a 1.5"x3" rectangle cut out of the middle of each side

2. measure and cut the ribbon for the decoration and handles (measurments will depend on how long you want your handles)
3. on the front of the placemat, sew the handles on first, then sew on the ribbon stripe to cover the edges of the handle on each end

4. fold right sides together and sew down both sides of the placemat
5. with the bag inside out, fold each notched corner together so if forms a straight line and sew that line closed (making a boxed corner)

6. turn right side out and enjoy!

Optional - you can add more embelishments - I added a fake flower to the front by hand stitching it into place.

This bag fit my scriptures and hymn book perfectly!