The Well-Dressed Tote Bag: Vintage Overalls Reinvented

If you’re like me and can’t seem to part with special things from your past, this project is for you . . .

In my college days, my favorite garment was a pair of Lee bib overalls. Beautifully embroidered by my art school friend back in the late 70s, I wore them like crazy until overalls fell out of fashion. So I stored them away for a while.

When I came across them more than a decade later, they brought a smile to my face. I tried them on and soon realized that although I worked hard to keep my girlish figure, after having two children, they would probably never fit me again. 

So I cut off the bib and turned it into a pillow that happily resided on the sewing chair in my former studio.

Just recently I decided to refurbish my beloved overalls once again. This time I used them to dress up a Land’s End canvas tote bag.

Using waxed nylon thread and a large tapestry needle, I hand-stitched on the bib and straps. 

I left the back “V” open to form a handy pocket.

My reinvented vintage-overalls-turned-tote resides on the Hoosier cabinet in my current studio where I can see it every day. And since my laptop fits inside, it often keeps me company when I’m out and about. 😊 Yay!

Susan
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I’d love to hear from you!

Comments

[Jenny Young]

Oh my I love the tote bag! So adorable!

[Susan]

Thanks, Jenny!!