The Bag From A Skirt

Hello Readers. My project today was a big, beautiful bag. I got this suede skirt at a clothes swap last year. I liked it but it was just a little too big. It would need to be altered and that would disturb the stitched design all over the skirt. It seemed like it would be very difficult to keep the design symmetrical if I tried to take the skirt in. So, I kept it in my stash of refashions and thought for a long time what to do with it.

Here is the skirt. It has a beautiful design made of suede squares and embroidery thread.  It looks a little beat up in the picture on the left. It isn't. The sun was very bright, it didn't photograph well. The picture on the right shows the details better.

I just needed to get a couple things to help me make this skirt into a briefcase style tote bag. I ordered handles from Amazon.com and only one came in the mail. I checked my order and realized I only ordered one handle. Oops! I ordered another and waited for it to come in the mail.

This skirt has a lining and I attached the handles with ribbon. I stitched the ribbon to the lining in between the lining and the outer layer of the skirt. They will be hidden and this way the bag will look nicely finished inside. The lining of the skirt will make a nice lining for my new bag.

I attached the lining to the outer layer if the skirt. I zigzag stitched the lining to the black trim at the bottom of the skirt. You can see it below. My zigzag stitch got a little uneven when I went around the handle, but it came out fine, I just had my hands full with the material, the handle and the fast moving needle. You can see on the right where the ribbon from the handle is attached to the lining. I stitched it heavily to hopefully make it strong and durable.

It doesn't show from the outside. The stitches blend into the trim so well you can't see them at all. I didn't sew through the suede, I thought that would look messy. 

I cut off the excess from the skirt. The waistband is the part I cut off. The bag is made from the widest part of the skirt. When I connected the bottom of the bag I stitched it tightly twice to make a strong bag.

Side by side comparison to show where the bag came from.

It is a nice big tote bag. The hem of the skirt is made of embroidery thread and it makes a nice opening around the handles. I think if I loaded it with books it would struggle to hold the weight. It would be great for clothes, and everyday items. 

I think it will be a stylish diaper/day bag for myself. This is what I am usually carrying, toys and supplies for the little guy when we go out.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.