Denim Pocket Tote Bag

Some Ideas for Decorating Canvas Tote Bags

Decorating Canvas Tote Bags Can Be As Simple Or Complex As You Like

You can buy ready made canvas totes at any craft supply store or sew your own. Press all the tote bag's creases with a steam iron before decorating.

Denim Pocket Tote Bag

Materials

Tote bag
4 jean or chambray shirt pockets
2 red and 2 navy-colored buttons of different sizes
Aleene's Jewel-It glue
Dritz Fray Check
Medium weight fusible pellon for each pocket (fusible on one side)
Sewing machine and matching or contrasting thread
Pins
Iron

Assembling the Tote Bag

Cut the pockets off a pair of worn out jeans or a denim color cotton shirt (mine came from Shaaron's dear brother's Navy shirts from the 70's that she had been saving).

Trim away the fabric that the pockets were sewn on so you just have the one piece. Be careful not to cut the turned under edge of the pocket. Seal the cut edges with Fray Check.

Fuse the pellon to the backside of each pocket to within ¼ to ½ inch from the edges.

Place two pockets on one side of the tote and pin in place.

Machine stitch the sides and bottom of each pocket. Make sure to do a few back stitches at the top of the pockets for added strength. Do the same on the other side of the tote.

Glue a button on each pocket over the buttonhole. I placed a small piece of cardboard inside each pocket so the glue wouldn't soak through. Lay flat and let dry completely.