Canvas tote bags are a good sustainable solution. They are foldable, can be put in the laundry, and are very durable. However, that last point also makes them less sustainable. Because a tote bag is only a sustainable solution when you use one A LOT. And I mean A LOT. And often you see that people treat tote bags as a single use sustainable solution.

How can we make sure that the canvas tote bags we create are also used?

To prevent a closet full of canvas tote bags instead of plastics.  Using what we have and only producing new materials is the only way to become truly sustainable.

Well: by turning the tote bags we have into tote bags we love, of course!

So we have one quilted tote bag to love, so we can say no to all the others.

In this tutorial you learn the basic steps of turning an old tote bag into a new one using scraps and quilting techniques!

Required:

• Old canvas totebag
• Scraps
• Basic sewing materials for either hand quilting or machine quilting

The post How to make your own quilted canvas tote bag out of an existing one! appeared first on #KICKASSQUILTS.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

-Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities

It’s almost Christmastime! Or to say in the words of Charles Dickens:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

-Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities

I know that Charles didn’t necessarily say this about Christmas, but this is how it feels to me often.

Christmastime is a busy time. Usually, too much for me: too many things happening in too short a period. However, I’ve been trying to find a way to like Christmas for myself for years. And quilting makes me happy! So why not combine quilting and Christmas? So I made this quilted Christmas hanger tutorial for you.

And it even has 2 options: You can keep it simple and playful, or you can make it more luxurious and add some layers.

The post How to upcycle your own Christmas hangers. With Quilting techniques! appeared first on #KICKASSQUILTS.

You can use the mini memory quilt as a coaster, so every time you enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of gin, you are reminded of those memories when you put the cup down. Also, you can sneak the mini-quilt in your pocket, so every time you have an important presentation you can take the good memories with you to give you strength.

The project will take around 3 hours in total. The only thing you need is 2-3 items of clothing you don’t mind cutting up for the lasting memory (non-stretch works best) and basic sewing supplies.

During this tutorial series you learn the basics of quilting to make the mini-quilts. Call it ‘a taste of quilting’. Also, you get to share your story through the quilt you make. Storytelling and sharing memories is one of the foundational ways to make connections with other people. Especially if it’s done under the banner of creative expression.

Find the full playlist tutorial for the mini memory quilt here.

The post ‘A taste of quilting’: Turn your old clothes into a lasting memory appeared first on #KICKASSQUILTS.

• The projects are suitable for handsewing and using the sewing machine.
• They use tiny pieces of scraps
• Super easy projects to bring with you and do in 5 minute stretches of time.

The projects are: 

Project 1: A turnaround coaster – Your first quilt in 1 hour
Project 2: Kawandi – Liven up any boring outfit
Project 3: Patchwork patching – Mend clothes on the go
Project 4: Party flags – Partying with memorable textiles / keep memories
Project 5: Colour theory – Learn how to work with ANY kind of fabric and colour

The post Your first Quilt in 1 hour! appeared first on #KICKASSQUILTS.