In just four simple steps, you can upcycle your way to a
Designed by Sew regular Debbie Shore, this ingenious project allows you to transform your unwanted kitchen accessories into a handy holdall that you will reach for every day. Whether you root around your kitchen or find out what your local charity shops have to offer, you are sure to find illustrated tea towels perfect for panelling. Or, if you don’t fancy working with tea towels, simply cut your fabric to the recommended measurements.
1 Cut two decorative tea towels to 49cm x 50cm. Alternatively, trim two outer pieces from fabric to the same size. These will be front and back panels. Cut four 7cm x 44cm pieces of lining fabric for the sides. Sew two strips, right sides together, to either side of the outer front panel, aligning the top edges. Repeat with the remaining strips on the outer back panel. Use one of these outer panels as a template to cut two lining pieces to the same size and shape. Unpick any hems if needed. If the tea towel is too small, the pieces will need to be joined.
2 From the remaining outer tea towels, or outer fabric, cut eight 12cm x 22cm handle pieces. If there isn’t enough tea towel fabric, cut eight handles from lining fabric. In pairs, sew the handle pieces along the 22cm sides, right sides together, to make tubes. Turn the handles right side out and press. Fold each handle in half.
On the right side of the fabric, pin the handles to the tops of the outer front and back panels, 1.25cm in from each side and facing inwards.
3 Sew the lining pieces right sides together along the sides and base, leaving the cut-out corners unsewn and a 16cm turning gap in the bottom. Pull the cut-out corners open so the side seams sit over the base seam, then stitch across the seams to ma
