The Tank Top Bag

Hey everyone!  Missy here.  It's been awhile since I have done a brand new post but I am glad everyone has enjoyed the onesies I have been making. 

Today I finally finished my new project.  A Tank Top Bag.  I got the idea from a pin on pintrest.com that I saw.  I didn't look at how I made it but I think what I did came out pretty cool.  So I am going to tell you how I did it. 

What you will need:

(Please ignore that pink
fabric, that is what I was
going to originally use)

- A Spaghetti Strap Tank Top (either new, used, or purchased from a thrift store.  Just whatever you have.  I used one of my old ones that no longer fit me)
- Similar color fabric for the inside of the bag (I used a lighter shade of printed purple)
- Contrasting fabric for the binding
- 2 shades of ribbon (i used 7/8 inch and 2 inch ribbon- used from handles and bow)
- Light weight Quilting Batting
- Heat n Bond Lite
- Thread of contrasting or same color.  I used black.
                                            - Iron

• Turn the tank top inside out and cut along the seams of the sides of the tank on both sides.  Also, if you wish you can cut the straps off as well.  Or if you wish to make them part of the bag, that is up to you.
• Cut the batting and the fabric for the inside of the bag to the same size and shape of the tank pieces.  (If you want to cut the tank down to have a smaller size bag, that's okay.  This is going to be your purse/bag.  Have fun with it.) 
• Put all of the pieces together and pin.  Put the batting on the outside, put the batting on the outside, the tank and the fabric wrong sides together. 
• Sew along the edge of the three pieces and leave about a 1/2 inch around the edge.  Leave a little bit unsewn to be able to turn the piece inside out.  Once turned inside out and finish sewing the piece together.  Repeat with the other piece.

 
• Next, I quilted mine with about 2 inch squares, you can do diamonds or whatever you want.
• Take your binding and sew it to the top of the bag.  It makes it easier to do it prior to sewing the sides together.
• For the binding for both the top of the bag and around the entire bag, I cut the fabric 2 1/2 inches.  (I had to sew several pieces together to make it long enough)  Fold in half length wise to make the fabric 1 1/4 wide and iron.  Then take the edges and fold in about 3/4 of an inch and iron them.  Place the middle of the binding on the edge of the side you want to put it on
• Line up the 2 sides of the bag and pin.  Sew together leaving a 'raw' edge.  At this point you should have the tank on the outside.
• Once you have sew the two pieces together, pin the binding around the edge. Sew around the entire bag.

• For the handles, cut two pieces of each of the ribbon to the desired length. 
• On the thinner ribbon, iron the Heat n Bond Lite (walmart.com) on one side.  (This makes it easier to sew the ribbon together.)  Follow the instructions on the packaging.
•  Leave several inches at each end of the ribbon.  Use the Heat n Bond on each ribbon to secure it to the bag on the outside and inside.
• Sew the ribbon from the front onto the bag.  First make a square and then an 'X' in the middle of the square to secure the handles. (see the picture below)
• Once completed, if you desire, embellish how you like.  I sewed a bow on to mine.  To do that, take the wider ribbon and loop it into an '8' shape.  Then take the thinner ribbon, slightly shorter, and make that same shape.  Sew the ribbon together and then sew it onto the bag.  If you wish you can also take the binding and make a button loop and secure a button to one side of the bag. 

Here is my finished product.



Good Size for a possible Beach Bag

Remember, crafting is about what you want to make.  It doesn't have to be perfect (as you can probably tell from mine) it's about having fun and expressing yourself.  If you have anymore questions or need clarification on anything, leave a post or email me.  And as always, Happy Crafting!