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How to Make a Yo-Yo Handbag

How to Make an Embroidered Water Bottle Carrier

Jennifer Stern, contributor

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Pin the strap to the top edge of the bag and try it for length. Trim off the excess strap and sew in place.

Jen Stern

The stripes on this embroidered ribbon are colors representing many cancer awareness organizations.

Artist's Thread Works

Measure your bottle at its widest point.

Jen Stern

Pin the strap to the top edge of the bag and try it for length. Trim off the excess strap and sew in place.

Photo: Jen Stern

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I alway make it a point to participate in at least one race, walk, or run for the cure every year. As the weather gets cooler, holding a cold bottle of water can make your hands cool, too. Let me show you how to make a customized mini tote that fits your water bottle like a glove and has a handle or strap to carry it with. Some of you might want a short handle so you can carry it like a mini tote, while others might want a strap that you can wear across your shoulder—you decide! I was feeling very crafty working on this project; I found a Breast Cancer Awareness resuable grocery bag that is perfect for this project and a cool embroidered ribbon design that's free from Artistic Thread Works. I chose it because it's not a standard pink embroidered ribbon—the different colored stripes represent different breast cancer organizations.

Here's what you'll need:

• A reusable grocery bag (I found a pink one at Stop & Shop)
• Your water bottle (to determine the measurements for your water bottle tote)
• Embroidered Ribbon Design (you can use your own or download the one I used from Artistic Thread Works)
• Cut-away stabilizer
• 505 temporary adhesive spray
  
• Embroidery threads according to your design
• Thread to match your bag fabric

Let's get started by measuring the widest point on the water bottle. My water bottle measures almost 9-1/4 inches around. Add approximately 3/4 inch for seam allowance and a little extra room for ease. (My final widthwise measurement is 10 inches.)

Make sure you measure the widest point on your water bottle, which sometimes may be at the top, not at the base.

Measure the length of the bottle. My bottle measures 7-1/2 inches. Add 1/2 inch to that measurement. (My final measurement is 8 inches.)

If you start measuring the length just under the cap, you will be able to drink out of it without having to take it out.

Cut the reusable bag apart along the seams. Use a seam ripper to take the straps off.

Usually the straps are really easy to take off because they are sewn on with a long stitch, but don't be tempted to pull them off because you might rip your bag fabric. (Ask me how I know that.)

Cut a rectangle that equals the measurements of your water bottle. Use the finished edge of the top of the bag as the top edge of the mini tote; that way the hemming is all done!

My rectangle is 10 inches across the finished edge of the bag and 8 inches deep.

Trace around the bottom of the bottle to make the base piece. Keep your pen parallel against the side of the bottle as you trace. This will make the right size circle to fit the rectangle that you cut out for the bag portion of the mini tote.

Don't try to get the tip of the pen close to the base of the bottle—it will make the circle too small.

To reinforce the base of your mini tote, cut out two circles.

Cut out two circles, which will be used to give more support to the base.

Here are all the pieces you need to make a mini tote to carry your water bottle.

Don't trim the strap until you've pinned it to the completed bag so you can determine the length that's comfortable for you to wear over your shoulder or carry in your hand.

Draw a placement guide for your embroidery design.

I drew my placement guide so that my embroidery would be centered from the back seam.

Hoop the cut-away stabilizer and use temporary adhesive spray to adhere it in the hoop.

The cut-away stabililzer will reinforce the fabric so it doesn't tear around the embroidery when you are carrying your water bottle.

Trim the stabilizer neatly, leaving about 1/4 inch around the edge of the embroidery. Fold the rectangle in half, making sure that the top and bottom edges are even. Pin the back seam together and sew using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Fold the rectangle in half, then pin.

Put the two base pieces wrong sides together. Sew closely around the edge to hold them together.

Sew the two base pieces together.

Pin the base to the bottom end of the bag. I'm not a big one for using lots of pins, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Be sure you're pinning in the direction that will make them easy to take out as you sew.

Position the bag in your sewing machine with the base facing up. Sew the base to the bag using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Take the pins out as you get to them. Frequently check that you're not catching anything as you sew.

Turn the bag right side out. Pin the handles to the top edge of your mini tote so you can test the fit if you are going to wear it over your shoulder. Alternatively, you can make a short handle to hold.

This is a great way to show your awareness for the importance of finding a cure for breast cancer.

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