Tote-ally Upcycled:
A Creative Journey in Fabric
How a Pile of Fabric Samples Became Works of Art You Can Carry
Last year, a friend handed me a stack of stunning upholstery fabric samples—gorgeous little rectangles no larger than placemats—otherwise destined for the landfill. They sat patiently on a chair for months, waiting for inspiration to strike.
Just before Christmas, that light bulb finally flickered to life: “These need to become tote bags!”
The first bag took forever (think trial-and-error Olympics), but by the fourth, I had the process down. Three of those bags became heartfelt Christmas gifts—cue delighted thank-you notes—and the fourth is on its way to the gallery, and
The Rest of the Story
The fabric stash didn’t magically disappear with four totes. Nope, a generous stack of samples still sat there, practically begging to be transformed into something useful and beautiful. Add to that the fabric secretly hoarded in drawers (someday projects), and suddenly I had more than enough to keep me very busy.
I had to make a tough call. Hit the pause button on doll-making and dive headfirst into tote-bag creation. Hours were spent carefully matching fabrics for each bag, turning this project into both a creative challenge and a mission. Now, 15 to 20 totes are on the verge of being born!
Why Totes?
Why not? These aren’t just bags—they’re sustainable, functional art pieces, each with its own unique style and personality. By giving these fabric samples a second life, I’m not only preventing waste but also keeping myself joyfully busy (and far from needing therapy—it’s a win-win!). These bags embody creativity, sustainability, and a whole lot of heart. And soon, one by one, they’ll be ready to carry a little piece of that magic into your life, too.