I saw some large totes made from recycled canvas sails in Tahoe the last time I visited and wanted to make a similar nautical-inspired tote. I used a plain white tote as my starting point. If you don’t have one you can always make one from plain white canvas or even a canvas table cloth. I’ve got a simple pattern in the shop here and you would just leave off the handles.
Other materials:
Large “snap” curtain grommets (you can get these at Micheal’s or Joann’s)
3/4″ “by the yard” rope from the hardware store
First, I cut off the handles of the tote. Then I used the template from the grommets to cut the holes:
The grommets easily snap together:
The bag I used had a lululemon logo on it so I used a seam ripper to remove it:
The finished grommets:
I threaded the rope through all four grommets:
I used a lighter to fuse the two ends of the rope together. The flame melts both sides and I quickly pushed the ends together and held them until they cooled:
I used a piece of the old tote handles to secure the ends. It was a small rectangular piece and I used a glue gun to attach it around the seam. A lighter melted any frayed ends:
Finished!
The canvas bag I used was waterproof……the kind used for reusable grocery bags.
A great tote for the beach or pool:
Want to add an image or a monogram? Check out this tutorial from last year when I made canvas totes for the entire family:
This looks fabulous, Ashley! I could imagine adding some kind of nautical knot, too! =)
I love this! So easy, cute, and functional!
Could you make this with a drop cloth? I think one side of the cloth is water-proof.
Great idea. Bonus points for using fire. haa.
What are the approximate dimensions of the bag you used?
I saw some bags like this in a store in Maine… for $125.00! I nearly choked on my lobster roll! I love this tutorial and the bags look great! Thank you.
Very cute! I have the same scissors lol!
Love the look of this bag! Looks easy too! Thanks AShley!
I like the look of the giant grommets and the smaller rope. I’ve done similar handles on bags made from sail cloth, and had a heck of a time getting the rope through the grommets because they’re too close in size. I have to tell you, if you can find someone with an old sail, or a sailmaker with scraps, you are set for life.
http://ogno.blogspot.com/search/label/sail%20cloth
I adore your version of this bag! Could you share where you got the bag from? I love the sheen of the waterproof fabric & how simple the bag is. So inspiring, I’d like to make one, thanks!