How to Make a Tank Top Tote

This is a great way to recycle those old tank tops you can't (or shouldn't) wear anymore. If you don't have what you want in your closet, take the kids to the thrift store for some shopping!

These totes are perfect for gifts, a quick update for an outfit, and carrying a few of your favorite toys.

Materials needed for your project:

One tank top (try an nice camo one for the boys)
Thread and needle
Sewing machine (unless you are teaching your little one to hand stitch)
Scissors
Seam ripper

Extras for embellishments:

Heat n Bond
Iron
Material scraps
Left over beads, etc.

First you need to flip the tank inside out and carefully remove the label with a seam ripper.

Then, line up the bottom hems and pin to keep them from slipping as you sew.

To give your bag a secure bottom, first stitch the hems closed with an overlock or zig-zag stitch.

Then, run a straight stitch over the the top of the overlock seam for extra strength.

Cute huh! You could call yourself done here... unless you want to get funky!

That's what I thought... let's add some funk!

Now, go dig through your junk draws and craft baskets and see what you can find.

I found some scraps of upholster fabric and some left over beads from another project.

Cut some cute shapes out of your fabric.

If you have some Heat n Bond lying around, use this to hold your shapes in place while you sew them on.

After pressing your fabric shapes in place, stitch around the edges.

This is a nice decorative touch and ensures that they won't come off.

I like things to be a little sculptural, so I decided to add a beaded flower to one of the hearts.

This is easy to do, much like sewing on a button.

Sew your center bead in place first by knotting your thread and bringing your needle through from the back to the front of your fabric.

Then string your bead onto the thread.

Now stitch back through the fabric, this time from the front to the back.

Do this a couple of times, then wrap the thread around the base of the bead and sew through to the back again.

Now knot the thread and trim.

Use the longer beads for the pedals and stitch them in place the same way.

See, sew easy! Perfect for my child-like sewing skills, so even the newest beginners can look like pros.

It's kid size and great for toting a few toys to the store, doctor's office, etc.

Use your imagination, clean out your closets and make something wonderful!