Toobs Bag Recycling
Following on from my Care Package post, we have worked our way through 2 of the packets of Toobs. Not wanting to part with the packets, partly due to landfill guilt and partly due to them being super cool and making me smile, I thought of some ways to use them.
I had seen recycled chip packets made into pouches before, but I really wanted to start with a tote. I could have looked for a tutorial, but really wanted to see what I could come up with on my own.
I had previously purchases some Heat’n’Bond iron on vinyl and set about working out how best to use this in my planning. Most tutorials I had seen spoke about using it on both sides of the packet, however I didn’t want a ‘plastic’ feel on the inside of the bag. I wondered if I could use fabric on the under side.
I split the bag in two and cleaned the inner, making sure to remove all crumbs and residue. Drying carefully with paper towel. I then measured the front part of the bag and cut some vinyl and backing fabric about half and inch bigger. Following the instructions I bonded the vinyl to the front of the bag, and the edges of the lining fabric.
From there I went ahead and created two rectangles from my chosen fabric. On one of the rectangles I cut a ‘window’ rectangle slightly smaller than my toobs package. I made sure to leave turn back allowance. I really wish I had thought to take a photo of this step, but I didn’t. You might be able to get the idea from my pictures, or maybe a google search.
The sewing up was much like any other standard tote bag. I created boxed corners on this one, and made it single strap, long enough to be worn as a cross body tote bag. I used the same fabric to make the strap in the end. My original idea was going to be to use the black strapping featured in my first picture, but I decided I wanted the strap in matching fabric.
Next came the decision of what to make with the 2nd empty bag. This time I decided to go with a lined zipper pouch. Again I only lined one side of the package, but this time I used front and back so that effectively it would be the same size as the toobs bag, with a zipper on the long side. I lined it with orange cotton and matched zip to the orange.
I looked at a few different tutorials for this, but ended up going with a Zip Pouch tutorial over at Made Everyday. I find Dana super easy to follow, she keeps things advanced enough you don’t feel enclined to race ahead, but basic enough you can understand her instructions without going over them multiple times.
So now I have a matching tote and pencil case set. I have been thinking about what to make from the 3rd bag once it is finished. Might be a while I was trying to hold out finishing that pack until lockdown is over and I can go on the search for more….that could be a while though, so will see how I go!
