grey trapezoid tote

It seems that I'm on a charcoal bag kick. There was the linen one in the last post, there's some industrial grey wool on my cutting table, and than there's this quickie I whipped up yesterday. I just needed something bigger than my current tote- an easy "toss everything in" bag. Funny how everything is the same color this week. Soft, neutral, put-together, works with everything... charcoal grey.

Yesterday's new project was reinvented from a pair of men's wool trousers. They had been abandoned by my ex-husband, but you can find them at thrift stores by the dozens. I decided to turn it into something useful, rather than toss them or be bitter. But I will admit that I enjoyed the deconstruction immensely. 

First- I cut off one leg and ripped open a seam from ankle to thigh. Next, I sheared off the bottom cuff and opened the leg to get as much usable fabric as possible. That felt good... satisfying, to say the least. Now, I could move on to creating something new. 

Spread out on the table, the seam left in tact was now in the center with the wrong side facing up. When I folded up the bottom, a trapezoid appeared, and the bag's shape took form.  I cut a lining fabric to match. It was some yardage discovered at SewGreen years ago and ties in the contrasting white thread perfectly. Using a feather stitch directly over leg seam reinforces it while adding a sweet detail to an otherwise very minimalistic tote. A thin strip of grey leather makes a delicate, but tough strap. I completed it in less than an hour, and packed it up with afternoon snacks for hungry kids. Now, that's a happy (and useful) reinvention!

And for the underbelly of my week, there's always a little Honoring Hope, if you are so inclined. Have a lovely weekend!