photography by Trisha Zemp Here's my first DIY of the year for the Laura Ashley blog made out of their Freshford pattern, an updated pattern from their archives. I envisioned using it some way that would take advantage of the stiffer material and I found that it was perfect for keeping the shape of an origami project. I think some of the best projects are those that are super simple and quick to make, which is why I was thrilled when this origami tote bag worked out. I had seen it done out of paper on a mini scale before but not out of fabric and at such a large scale like this. There's even an option to do a no-sew version below.
Materials: fabric (I used this Laura Ashley Freshford pattern), ruler or measuring tape, scissors, snaps, needle, thread
Steps:
- Cut out a piece of fabric in a square (I left the selvage on mine to be cheeky). The top image was made out of a square 24x24" and the bag in these step by step photos was made with a 12x 12" square. If you want to add a liner, which I did, cut out two pieces of fabric in the same size squares.
- Optional: If you're doing one with a liner, put the squares faced together and sew around the edges leaving a 4" gap. Turn it inside out and iron flat. Hand sew the edges closed.
- Fold the diagonal points together and crease the edge (use an iron to press the lines)
- Fold the top point down to the bottom edge and crease. You will use this creased line as a guide.
- Bring the left tip to the new guide line and crease.
- Bring the right tip over to the guide line and crease.
- Hand sew the two folds to the bag.*
- Add a snap to the top of the corners.
Voila!
Check out the Laura Ashley blog for more projects and ideas.
