How To:

Placemat Bag

I made this pattern up last year and recently sewed up another two for my kids' scriptures.

Here's a brief and easy how-to.

Needed:

1 quilted placemat

about 59" twill tape {depending on the size of your placemat}

about 60" ribbon no wider than your twill

thread

Edge Stitch the ribbon on the twill tape on both sides.

 {It will hang off the twill tape on one end an inch.}

If you have one of these Edger feet, they make the stitching super easy and even.

Fold the ribbon/twill tape in half to find the center and place it on the center of your placemat. 

Pin it in place.

The edges of the twill tape meet, but fold under the extra ribbon 1/2" and overlap it onto other end of ribbon. 

Before stitching each side of the twill tape, fold your placemat in half, wrong sides together and make sure your handles line up, and are of equal length where they hang over the placemat.

Readjust if necessary *{this is when you need to decide how long you want your handles--you may need to cut the twill tape/ribbon to get it just right--but, make sure to cut the end where the ribbon and twill are even} and stitch, making sure you backstitch twice at the top of the placemat where the handles will get the most pull and resistance.  

Stitch on both sides of ribbon/twill tape.

Also, stitch across where you folded the ribbon under.

I know, never end a sentence with a preposition, but I couldn't think how to word it any better!

Fold placemat, right sides together, and fold bottom of bag in, creating a "W", about 2".

*{the smaller you make the "W", the smaller the base of your bag will be}

Repeat on other side.

Stitch sides, parallel with ribbon, even if it doesn't follow the edge of the placemat.

Trim excess.  

Zig-zag stitch if you want, but using a placemat that's already embroidered, it really won't unravel.

Ta-Da!

You could also embellish your bag with embroidery thread, 

ribbon, or even felting a design or initials.  

Or, go ahead and add some glitter and sequins.  

Just kidding.  Don't do that.