Condo Blues: Martini Tote Bag Revamp

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Martini Tote Bag Revamp

I got a freebie tote bag with a mesh water bottle pocket at The Pet Expo. This bag would be perfect for carrying around town if it didn’t have a big ol’ logo on it.


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I contimplated sewing some sort of decorative patch like thing over the logo. The Queen left the following comment on that post:



"You totally inspired me to cover up the fugly logos on my shopping bags. I was always having to explain to cashiers that no, I'm not a librarian, I just went to a book conference, etc. I did NOT have a giant needle punch kit laying around (sad), but I do have a sewing machine and a giant box of scraps! DH thought I had gone nuts, and I did. In good way. Really. I took all my giant fugly-logoes totes and put pretty pretty pockets on them. Yay, place to put coupons and no more logos. Thanks for the idea."
And in turn The Queen inspired me! I appliquéd and embroidered a martini glass onto a piece of black fabric from my fabric stash and sewed it over the logo to make a pocket. If you don’t sew, fabric glue or fusible webbing will work. If you don't embroider or applique you can get creative with some fabric paints.


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“Nobody cares about your tote bag Lisa. People read your blog to see pictures of me. Isn’t that right, Morgan?”
So, fun. So simple because martini glasses are very easy to draw. Now you know why many of my freehand projects feature martini glasses!

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Useful too. Blitzkrieg is a very well behaved dog when we are out in public (otherwise I wouldn’t take him out in public.) I like having treats around in case I need to reward him for extra good behavior or to do a trick for a cute kid. The new front pocket offers easy access to doggie behavior control devices, AKA treats.

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I used more plain black fabric to make a second pocket inside the tote bag. Now I have a pocket for my phone, camera, and in theory my car keys. However, according to The Law of Purse car keys are always found in the deepest darkest recesses of any bag or purse no matter how big or how small. Keys don’t like to stay in a small key pocket. Why?

I gave the revamped martini tote a test run at the Asian festival. Blitzkrieg’s water bottle fit into the outside mesh pocket, treats road nicely in the new exterior pocket, camera and phone tucked into the new interior pocket which left room for my big KOR one water bottle, some amazing Japanese green tea cookies we bought, and even my Asian parasol in the main tote compartment with room to spare!
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I’m going to carry this bag often now that it went from pretty good free tote to kicky cute hardworking Dog Mommy Bag.

Thanks for the idea Queenie!

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12 comments :

KatieB said...

This is a great idea. I have several tote bags that I got for free as well. It never occurred to me to add a pocket to the outside like that. Now I have a great new project to work on.

Allie said...

That is a great idea! And the finished product is so cute!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

What a clever idea. I have tons of little tote bag/swag bags that are sitting because "Pom Clear" or "Absolut" logos usually don't match my outfit. :)
I'm going to have to try this.

Tia said...

Great idea!!! Who couldn't use more pockets and storage? :o) Well done!

Maridith said...

Now that is smart!! Great idea. That really is a trash to treasure because I normally end up putting those bags in Goodwill!

Jane said...

Pocket is brilliant!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a great ides. Your tote is so cute
Glenda

abeachcottage said...

wow, what a great idea, I have lots of totes like that stashed away in the hall, never thought of re-purposing them like them

enjoyed my visit

Sarah

Unknown said...

Cute, clever, and frugal! Fabulous. Thanks for linking up!

Lisa said...

Super cute!!

Duni said...

That really is a totally cool way to cover up that logo! Great job!

Morgan said...

Aw! Haha, oh my gosh I feel so special that Blitzkrieg did an entire little message to me! Seriously, you're such a good puppy parent and he's adorable. :)

I love this idea! I get a ton of those free bags all of the time and I always end up giving them away so people don't think I have a strong affiliation with the group. But this idea is fab, and it seems easy for people like me to do... which is always a plus.

I love your blog, though. The Blitzkrieg input is just an added bonus. :)
-M.

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