Directions for Scripture Totes

Instructions:

Cut two 16” pieces of ribbon for the bag handles. Measure width of your placemat and cut two
more pieces of ribbon the length you just measured. This ribbon will go around the center of the
bag.

1. **NOTE: If you want ribbon going down the middle you need to measure so it’s even on outside
ends of your placemat (approx 2 ¼” from the top ends of the mat. Then pin the two strips of
ribbon to the outside of the placemat, hold tight and stitch down both sides to secure.. ***If you
do not want ribbon in the center of your tote precede to step two.*****

2 ¼”

2¼”

2. Handles – Handles are sewn to the inside or wrong side of the placemat. Take one of the 16
inch pieces of handle ribbon and Measure about three inches from the side of your bag in towards
the middle AND about 1 inch down from the top. Place the first edge of the ribbon at the 3” mark
right side down (the other edge of the ribbon will be at about 4 ½ “). Secure with a pin. Now
bring the ribbon up into a horseshoe shape and pin down the other side right side down. Do this
for the other piece of handle ribbon on the opposite side of the mat. Fold the placemat in half and
make sure your handles line up. Adjust if needed.

Make sure the ribbon is out of the way and that the material is flat. Sew around edge of ribbon in
a square design or squiggles if you prefer. Repeat until you have done all four handles. **If you
are adding a lining move to step 7.
3”

3”
3. Fold the placemat in half with the inside out or right sides together. Backstitch and sew down
sides about ¼ inch from the edge on both sides. (The tote will now look like a pocket). Make sure
the top edges of the placemat line up as you sew. Sew a finishing stitch along seam’s edge to
finish the edges.
Fold

4. Boxed corners. With the pocket still inside out – Mark with chalk a two inch square at the
bottom of each side on both sides (so 4 squares). Now pinch the bottom corner of the bag into a
triangle. Match up the corners of the chalk square and sew across the line it forms. This makes
the bag able to stand up.

SEW 5. Flip tote outside in.

2” square
mark
6. Attach any trim with fabric glue and take the hard backing on a silk flower off and hot glue
some of the layers together and glue it to the bag. You can also hand stitch the flower to the bag
for extra security.

** 7. Liner & Pocket - Measure the width and length of your fabric to match the size of the
placemat. Add two inches to the length measurement and cut out the liner. Example: If your
placement measures 13” wide by 18” long you will cut the liner fabric to measure 13” x 20”.
Now cut out a 7” x 9” square for the pocket.

A. Now press down one of the short sides of the liner fabric ½ “ with an iron. Fold down another ½
“and press again. Repeat this on the other short side. Make sure the liner fabric lines up exactly
with the placemat. Adjust ironed seams if necessary.

B. Now take the pocket fabric and press down each side ¼”, fold one of the long sides another ¼ “
and press again. This will be the top of the pocket. Next sew across the top edge of the pocket to
secure the seam.

Sew

C. Fold liner fabric in half wrong sides together. Place pocket fabric on top of the right side of the
liner fabric where you would like it to be. Approximately two or three inches from the top then
center the pocket is a good placement. Pin to just that side of the liner fabric. Unfold liner fabric
and sew down both sides and bottom.

D. Now place the liner fabric on top of the wrong side of the placemat and pin the short sides
together. Make sure the handles are up and out of the way and sew across both short sides.
Where the handles were stitched will be in-between the liner and the placemat now. Now go
back and continue with step 3.
Leave sides open

sew

Materials Needed:

1. One somewhat sturdy PLACE MAT of your choice, :) (Ross, Kohl's, Target, Bed Bath, Big Lots, Walmart
and even Dollar Tree are great places to find some cute ones). You don’t want it too thick at the short ends.
It makes it harder to sew.

2. Ribbon enough for two (2) Coordinating 16 inch pieces of "gros grain" ribbon 1 ½" inch thick for the
bag handles.
One (1) yard of satin or gros grain ribbon for the outside center of the bag. Gros grain ribbon for the handle
is most durable but satin would work also. If you want the same ribbon for the handles and the outside center
band (see picture) you use the same ribbon for both. Sheer ribbon or ribbon with wire would not be a good
fit. You can also double the ribbon handle sewing two pieces together to make the handles sturdier.
3. We will have white, brown, black and light pink thread available. If you need another thread color to
match the outside of your bag for the handle stitch AND/Or matching color for the ribbon going around the
front of the bag you will need to purchase those on your own.

4. Embellishments: if you want fringe around the top of the bag (look at the black and green bag for
example) get approx. 1 yard. Get any flowers, brooches, or other stuff for schnazzing up your tote that you
would like.

5. If you want to line your tote and add a pocket get ½ yard of light weight cotton or muslin fabric.