Thursday, May 23, 2013

50 DIY Flour Sack Book Bag {plus a Promo and a GIVEAWAY}

If you are at all like us, then you like to hit up the local library.  And if you have kiddos in school, my guess is that they bring home books from their school library as well.  It is important to keep those books separate from the other piles of books throughout the house, so they get returned on time {no more frantic late night book searches}.

We had a designated basket for awhile, which worked great with the exception that it wasn't the most portable.  So, I decided to try my hand at one of my very first sewing projects, while also using things I had on hand at home, to DIY myself a little book sack for stashing a few library books and also for transporting them to and from the library. 


Yep!  Totally used a flour sack dish towel.  I have been trapped in the house and that is what I had, so that is what I used, and it. is. awesome.

To get started, I washed and ironed the towel, and laid a larger book on top of it to get an idea of the size I wanted.  Since we only ever have a couple of books at a single time, I didn't need anything too large and bulky.


Once I determined the width, I used a tape measure to measure and a ruler to draw some light lines on the towel with a pencil.


Then, while the dishtowel was folded in half, I cut each side {since the dishtowel had a bulky finished edge on one side, I opted to cut both sides to remove the original sewn edges, leaving the bottom folded and the top finished edge as is}.  Then, I cheated and used some hem tape to give each side a nice new, less bulky finished edge.


So now I had something like this {top - original edge, sides - hem taped edges}:


Next, I pulled out the sewing machine.  Knowing that books can be heavy, I wasn't going to "no sew" this little sack.  I needed to pull out the big guns....


A quick seam up each side of the towel and I now had a simple tote.

Since the tote would need a handle, I thought up a few ways to create one, but remembered I still had grommets leftover from these DIY Canvas Storage Boxes, so I pulled those out for this project too.  I thought they would add just a little extra strength and interest to the flour sack bag.


Using a grommet kit, I added two grommets to each side of the sack for a total of four.

Because I am a labelaholic and the white sack was looking pretty blah, I switched gears for a minute to play with the new Silhouette fabric interfacing.


The Silhouette can cut fabric!  This is music to my ears since I am not all that handy with scissors.  The first step is to use an iron to affix the fabric interfacing to the back of the desired fabric.


Once the interfacing is on the back of the fabric, it can be placed on a cutting mat to be run through the Silhouette.  Here it is cutting away.


I was really original and decided to have it cut the word "books".  It came out nice and crisp!  Crazy to think it had just cut fabric!



To get the newly cut fabric on the newly sewed flour sack, it was just a matter of removing it from the cutting mat and placing it on the sack in my desired location.


Eight seconds of pressing the letters with my iron....


And the bag was now labeled.

Now, I needed to figure out the handles.  I was completely out of rope, so ribbon was the next solution.  After brainstorming a bajillion ways to loop it through, I went back to the sewing machine.


I looped the ribbon through the grommet and sewed two lines across the ribbon to make sure it would really stay put.  A little Fray Check would prevent the ribbon edges from going all cray cray.



And here she is all nice and cute and ready to go to the library!


Yep!  Flour sack turned book sack!  I am so in love with it!  I think it just earned a permanent home on the hook!




No more misplaced books!  In fact, she is a constant subtle reminder of our next trip to the library.  Smitten.

And guess what?  It's Silhouette promo time, so you can play with the fabric cutting {and everything else cutting} tool too!


To snag one of these great deals, you can head here and enter ORGANIZING at checkout.

And, because I heart you and to bring on the super long weekend, I am giving away a Silhouette Portrait today too!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


So much fun to whip up something from nothing.  And sewing wasn't all that hard!  Now just to remember to pin and figure out how to get a nice straight line and I will be set, ha!

Have you taken on any impromptu sewing projects lately?


IHeart Organizing official giveaway entry rules can always be found here.

50 comments:

  1. what a great idea! I love the wording design! wish I had my own sewing machine and actually knew how to sew....but still fantastic organization idea. xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

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  2. We need to make a library bag! Yours is super cute.

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  3. Adorable. I may make my kids pool bags. We currently have 66 books checked out from the library (we have book issues-yikes) so we have a rolling cart for those trips. I really really really need a silhouette. In a bad way.

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  4. Well done, you!!!! Way to get that sewing machine out!! Mine is collecting dust.

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  5. What a great idea though I would make one change - use Fray Block instead of Fray Check. Fray Check tends to get brittle and yellow; Fray Block doesn't. They are generally located near each other in stores. Fray Block comes in a turquoise and teal tube.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the tip! I will definitely keep that in mind next time. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  6. My sons piano book bag just fell apart. I want to make one of these bags for his piano books!

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    Replies
    1. Love that idea!! <3 These would be perfect for that!

      xo,
      Jen

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  7. Super cute idea!! I love the pattern for the words. Love it!!

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  8. Cute! The fabric interfacing method would be perfect to REALLY personalize some canvas totes. I would much prefer a cute fabric monogram to an embroidered one (if it would work on canvas...?)!

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  9. Super cute!! And so simple!! Love it!!

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  10. This project is sooo stinkin' cute, love the fabric and font :)
    Xo, Tanya

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  11. Where did you get the fabulous fabric from? I heart it!

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  12. Ooh, Fray check was one of those items on my must-have list! Go you! :)

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  13. Thanks so much for the coupon code; I placed an order for the fabric kit. :)

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  14. i entered, really really hope i win! love the bag and am dying for a silhouette. i just graduated with my masters and am looking for a teaching job and the silhouette would be so helpful in my classroom!

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  15. Entered the giveaway, love the blog!!! I want one of these sooooooooo bad! Unfortunately, its not in my budget, so hoping I get lucky!!!!!

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  16. Chic lit. Quick beachy type reads.

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  17. When I first started sewing, I would either keep the edge of the fabric lined up with my presser foot, or I used a water soluble fabric pen to draw the line first and it washes out!

    The bag looks great! I love all the uses a Silhouette has!

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  18. I love this project. So crisp and beautiful, yet functional. What is the name of the fabric you used for "books". It screams Summer!

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    1. Hi Elizabeth!
      I found it i this Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewlovefabrics?ref=seller_info

      xo!
      Jen

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  19. As a children's librarian, it was hard to pick just one favorite read! I may have cheated a little and picked an author instead. I'd love to win a Silhouette for my library - we have an Ellison die machine, but our shapes are limited to the dies we have and we have to punch them by hand, which can get a little tiring when you're doing a bunch like we are now to prepare for summer reading.

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  20. Where is the fabric from? It's cute!

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    1. Hi Kristine!

      I found it i this Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewlovefabrics?ref=seller_info

      xo!
      Jen

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    2. Thank you! Love the blog :)

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  21. Cute bag and I love how you personalized it! I would love to get a silhouette to add personalization/design to my projects.

    Samantha
    lifearoundtheloop.wordpress.com

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  22. Ahhh! I LOOOOVE this! And it's the perfect gift for my son's preschool teacher! She uses reusable grocery bags to hold the "book in a bag" activities that she sends home with the kids. This would be WAAAY cuter!

    One question I have been meaning to ask....How do you get the silhouette machine to cut the letters and keep them connected? I FINALLY took mine out of the box last week (I received it for Christmas!) and I couldn't get it to keep the letters connected. Any tips?!

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    1. Now that is just too sweet! Love the idea!! :)

      To weld your words:
      1. Go to the Text option and select a scripted font or non-scripted font.

      2. Ensure your letters are touching as desired. Many, though not all scripted fonts will appear to have connecting points in the letters. If the points do not connect (or in other words, if the letters are not touching), or you have selected a non-scripted font, you will need to adjust the "Character Spacing".

      3. With you text selected, click on the "Weld" button (located along the lower left-hand corner of your software screen, or found by right-clicking on your selected images)

      After a moment, your text will be welded. You may also weld images to text, or images to other images. The weld feature works with any multiple set of cut line images as they are overlapping.

      Hope you love your Silhouette!! <3

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    2. Thank you so much! I just made two bags for my son's teacher! I let him pick out the fabric/colors. I think they came out cute! You rock!

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  23. LOVE the bag! Super cute! Just a quick tip for sewing straight lines--I use a piece of painter's tape or masking tape (or even washi tape if you want it to be cute!) on the machine to mark where my seam width is and to have a straight edge to follow when sewing. It works like a charm!

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    1. So great to know! Thank you thank you thank you!!

      xo,
      Jen

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  24. Too cute! you are so talented miss jen!

    are you trapped in the house because you are still sick?



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    1. Thanks Amy!

      I was earlier this week when I worked on the project - feeling much better now, just in time for the weekend! :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  25. Such a great idea.
    I love this idea!!!! It's so sweet!
    This is the first time that I see this Silhouette. I often have to cut out names and numbers by hand after sketching on paper first. Such a time saver and to be able to cut fabric too! This would keep the teens busy over the summer. Thanks for introducing us to new things dear.
    Hugs,
    Morena

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  26. CUTE bag! I love that you upcycled a towel for this...genius! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, Jen!

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  27. What a cute project love it can see me using this to make library bags for my grandsons. I so WANT as need one of those fab machines . Can afford the £289 ticket at the moment .

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  28. I really don't have time for a big book so I usually look at magazines a lot. I like any to do with food and recipes. I love finding new recipes I have not tried before and making it for the family,

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  29. A Silhouette Portrait given away, SWOON!!! Plese enter me in the fabulous and very generous giveaway. Love your library bag, it's tres chic!

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  30. Very cool that it cuts fabric so crisply. May have to invest in one of these- looks super fun!

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  31. you have such cute ideas on your blog. I also am OCD with organizing my house and you have great ideas that I will for sure be using. Come check my blog out and leave comment and follow and I'll follow back. Thank. www.motherhoodandeverythingnice.blogspot.com

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  32. I love to do applique but hate cutting out all the little pieces. How cool that Silhouette can cut fabric! I neeeeeeeeeeed to win this ;-)

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  33. Clever project! I could see making a lot of these type bags for all sorts of uses (library books, "go" bags for the car and appointments...could put kids initials on it, music books, dress up, change of clothes for daycare, bringing important folders home from work, eco-wrapping for gifts...)I especially like theI grommet/ribbon idea forto a handle. Looks sturdy. Thanks for the idea!

    I'm glad to know I'm not the only one a bit ham-handed with scissors!-

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  34. Hi Jen! I've just recently started blogging and I love your site. I used to make bags all the time when I was at university but it's been a while since I've touched the sewing machine. Definitely inspired me to give it a go again!

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  35. bought the fabric bundle! excellent deal! I've had my silhouette for a few months now and I LOVE it. It's so easy to use. love. love. love. And I love your book bag too. It's simply divine! Sewing is so fun!

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  36. Jen, thank you so much for the promo! I'm finally getting a Silhouette for my birthday :D

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  37. I love your hooks. May I ask where you got them?

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  38. Thank you! I found them at World Market. :)

    xo,
    Jen

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  39. Hi! I was wondering what font you used for "books", it's perfect!

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    1. Hi Marley! I believe it is Brannboll: http://www.dafont.com/brannboll.font

      xoxo!

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