Refashion Runway Week 3: Handbag, Clutch or Tote

Thanks so much to everyone that voted for me!!! Each and every vote means so much to me! :)

This weeks challenge was to create either a handbag, tote or clutch. Now honestly this was a real challenge for me because I've never refashioned an accessory. It was time to put my thinking cap on and create an awesome accessory!

Here's the scoop...I really need a tote designated for taking things to and from the library. I'm always checking out a bunch of stuff at once and carrying these things in my arms is getting very tiresome. So refashioning a library tote it is!

Started with this large tote that is just my color: PINK! Seriously my stuff is pretty much all pink including my lunch bag, my travel coffee mug, and many other things! (Even my scrubs and work shoes are pink)!

Very spacious! This is going to be great to TOTE all my library stuff around (pun intended)! But maybe this might be pink overkill....I'm thinking a new lining would do nicely!

I guesstimated how much fabric I needed for my new lining and began by hand sewing the fabric to the top inside of the tote.

I even saved the inside pocket of the original lining!! Just enough pink!

Then to my sewing machine to sew the sides of the lining together.

After the inside of my new tote was finished I could start on the outside!

I scored these ties for 1/2 off!! I loved how their pattern was similar and how the gray was going to match my new lining!!

Have you guessed what I'm going to do with these!?

Making them straps for my tote! Oh yeah! I hand sewed the new straps onto my tote using the existing handle attachments.

Then I printed out a clip art picture of some flowers, cut it out to make a stencil and painted the design onto the front of my bag.

While the fabric paint was drying I decided to make something special. I made a book mark! I took an old book mark and a scrap of material from the lining and used modge podge to glue it all together. What what does every good bookmark need? That's right! A tassel!!!! I used some pink embroidery floss to make a tassel.

Ta da! A new bookmark is made! 

Oh and I decided my bag needed one final piece to tie everything together... 

A place for my glasses! I just hate it when I get to thr library and I don't have a pair of glasses with me. Now I can keep a pair in my new tote at all times!

Basically to make my glasses sleeve I took a square piece of fabric and quilt batting folded it and sewed it together. Notice the pink thread? Nice touch huh!? :)

Now with my new tote it was off to the library for me to test it out!

Don't you just love my new shirt!?! I painted on the design myself!

Library swag! Putting my new tote to a good use!

Be sure to vote for my tote or one of the wonderful bags the other competitors had created at: https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/

Check out my stash of refashions on my blog: http://www.therefashstash.wordpress.com

Happy Refashioning!!!