No, I don’t want your free tote bag

but I will turn it into something cool

As a sustainability girly I swear I wind up with a new branded tote bag every time I attend an event, receive a PR package, or shop in an environmentally friendly store. In the beginning it was fun. I remember going out of my way to attend every event in high school & early college that offered a free tote, tee, or water bottle.

By my sophomore year I began to run out of room in my college dorm dresser drawers for all of the nylon string bags, polypropylene grocery bags, and flimsy muslin tote bags with random brand logos that I had accumulated. I quickly lost interest in all of the free shit, but free tote bags kept finding their way into my possession nonetheless.

too many totes (exhibit a): the tote coat

In 2023 I realized my tote bag collection had grown to a horrifying size. I had tote bags of all kinds — some from brands that I loved, lots with random logos and wacky phrases, and more than a few that shrunk in the wash. My collection was mostly made up of classic beige tote bags but there were a handful of black, red, and even bright yellow colored totes, too.

So I did what any good upcycler does and turned my absolute favorite bags into something new: a tote coat.

@acteevismhow I made THE tote bag jacket. I don’t know if you can find this exact pattern again on etsy (though you could check ebay too) but any kind of pattern would be helpful to follow! #sewingtutorial #upcycledfashion #totebags #totebagjacket #sustainablefashion

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After attempting to self draft a jacket pattern, I decided following a vintage one I found on Etsy was a more responsible decision. I had to get creative with some parts of the pattern to make it work with just tote bags. I used flimsy tote bag straps as bias tape on the inside of the jacket to keep the seams neat. I patch-worked tote bags together so there was enough material for the sleeve pattern pieces. I even zig zag stitched some straps together for the shoulder yoke.

My DIY video became a bit of an internet sensation if I do say so myself, and once I started sewing with branded tote bags I couldn’t stop.

too many totes (exhibit b): the tote bag bag

I used some of the leftover bag scraps to make a tote bag purse. I even used cut up tote bag scraps as “stuffing” for a quilted detail. My “tote bag bag” has become one of the most-worn items in my closet. And I’m not exaggerating when I say that — since I made it July of 2023 I’ve worn it 49 times, making it the 19th most worn item in my closet.

The internet loved my tote bag upcycle (yet again) and I still had more tote bags in my collection. So I made some tote bag bags to sell. Experimenting with patch-working scraps, weaving tote bag straps together, and mixing up different colorful brand logos has been a test of my creativity and sewing skills. Sewing through multiple layers of cotton canvas on my little Singer sewing machine is not easy.

so tldr: I don’t want your free branded tote (but I will turn it into something cool if it ends up in my bottomless pit of a tote bag collection)

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last thoughts from your favorite outfit repeater

👜 If you want your very own tote bag bag, there are still some available in my shop. And if you’re interested in a custom tote bag bag made with your own collection of totes, reply to this email or send me a DM.

♻️ One of my favorite upcycling studios in Los Angeles, Suay Sew Shop, is also doing some cool home decor projects with totes. Check out the ottoman they made from tote bags!

📊 If you’re thinking about auditing your closet or documenting what you wear, all of my resources (spreadsheet templates, guides, YouTube videos) are in one place.

💗 If you’d like to support my work, give this post a heart, leave a comment, or consider upgrading to a paid subscription. Think of it like treating me to coffee once a month.

xoxo Megan