A Home to Keep: DIY! Analog Tote

KEEPING with simplifying things this summer, I thought you'd like to make your own Analog Tote. Made from a placemat with the edges already finished, this is quick and easy! This would be a fun project to do with your grand darlings or with a group of neighbors or friends.

Karen Ehman encourages us, "Get creative and put things in your finished tote tailored to your current interests. Keep the bag easily accessible as your heading out the door"

Here are some suggestions to fill your tote with:

• crossword puzzles, word searches, Sudoku

• stationary or note cards and a favorite pen to revive the lost art of sending hand-written notes

• a sketchbook and colored pencils

• a favorite devotional book, devotional or magazine

• an embroidery or crochet kit

Analog Tote

Supplies Needed:

sewing machine

thread

scissors

pins

needle

1 placemat

1 yard of belting trim (ribbon or cording)

Embellishments

Instructions:

1. Thread your machine with a complementing color thread.

2. Cut 2 handles at 16 inches each out of your belting trim.

3. To keep your belting trim from fraying, finish off the ends by holding them over a stove flame for a few seconds then blow to extinguish or apply clear nail polish.

4. On the wrong side of your placemat, place and pin your belting trim on the short side of your placemat, 2 1/2" in from your long edges. (See blue arrows). Sew over each end a couple of times to secure it.

5. Fold your placemat in half (wrong sides together) and sew your sides together with a 1/4" seam or directly over the stitching that is already there.

6. I picked a cherry charm to embellish my tote and hand-stitched it on.

Finished!!!