• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Recycled Book Review: Refashioned Bags

January 14, 2010 by Stefanie Girard

Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags

By
Faith Blakeney and Justina Blakeney

We all carry bags so why shouldn’t they be as unique and creative as we are. The way to make them that way is to make them ourselves. Refashioned Bags probably has the widest variety of styles and shapes of bags I have ever seen in one book. The materials for these bags as just as diverse. The recycled materials used range from cake mix boxes to records and shower curtains. It includes nice step by step instructions with sharp illustrations to make your creative process go smoothly. No matter what your style, classy or crazy there are projects and inspiration in this book for you!

To see an inside peek and what I made inspired by this book pop on over to this post. And if you are in Anaheim, CA for either the CHA trade show or the retail Craft Super Show Jan 21-27,  I have posted my schedule as well!
From the Publisher, Potter Craft:

“Reduce, Reuse, Refashion! Handbags are the ultimate accessory. Fortunately, you don’t need a cookie-cutter designer bag to make a fashion statement. In today’s greener, more fiscally responsible world, it makes a lot more sense–and is a lot more fun—to make your own. Whether your closet is already an amalgam of hand-made clothing and remastered mash-ups or you’re diving into DIY for the very first time, bags are one of the easiest accessories to make over and require little more than a needle, thread, and everyday items you can find in the closet, garage, attic, or flea market. That’s why the authors of 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim & Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special show you how to make boutique-ready bags on the cheap. The Blakeney sisters twist and weave, turn inside-out, and reappropriate just about anything and everything to fashion radical accessories with mad style and a message.

In Refashioned Bags, you’ll learn how to create carryalls, clutches, laptop bags, totes, and more. And all of them will get a unique look, whether from the use of an old wool sweater, an ex-boyfriend’s neckties, extra shower curtains, dad’s hand-me-down suit jacket, a quilt, an umbrella, or even a bath mat. Some of the inventive and one-of-a-kind bags you’ll learn to make include:

• Boho Hobo Bag
• Sweater Computer Cozy
• Dapper Diaper Bag
• Dolce Doily Purse
• Le Zip Sac
• Tux Redux Bag And more!

Helpful diagrams accompany the step-by-step instructions, along with bonus crafting ideas, fun facts, and tips and tricks from top bag designers in the DIY field who work with, at times, unusual materials. By following just a few easy steps that require little more than cutting, folding, gluing, and basic stitching, you’ll be able to add refashioned bag designer to your repertoire. ”

[tags]Refashioned Bags[/tags]

Looking for more re-fashion patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

«
»

Have you read?

DIY Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree – A Sustainable Classroom Craft

If you’re looking for a fun, low-cost Christmas craft that doubles as a sustainability lesson, this Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree is perfect for your classroom. It’s cheerful, hands-on, and encourages kids to think creatively about recycling and reusing everyday materials.

This eco-friendly Christmas craft transforms used egg cartons into a festive tree display — ideal for classroom doors, art walls, or group projects. Not only does it spark holiday excitement, but it also opens the door for conversations about sustainability in the classroom and how small changes can make a big difference.

Why Choose Sustainable Classroom Crafts

Teachers are constantly looking for meaningful ways to weave sustainability into learning. Projects like this one promote creative reuse and reduce waste, showing children that they can make something beautiful from what might otherwise end up in the bin.
Using egg cartons, cardboard, and paper scraps encourages critical thinking and resourcefulness — skills that are just as important as creativity itself.

You’ll Need

  • Empty egg cartons (8–10, depending on your tree size)

  • Green paint or spray paint

  • Paintbrush or sponge

  • Cardboard backing or a flat wall surface

  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue

  • Yellow paper or felt for the star

  • Brown or orange paper for the trunk

  • Scissors

  • Recycled decorations: corks, paper scraps, small bells, ribbons, or buttons

How to Make a Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree

1. Cut the Cartons

Start by cutting the lids off your egg cartons. Keep only the dimpled base section where the eggs sit. Trim the edges neatly so each piece is uniform.

2. Paint the Cartons Green

Lay them out on newspaper and paint each piece with a bright green color. You can use acrylic paint, spray paint, or even let students experiment with different shades of green for a textured, layered look.

3. Arrange the Tree

Begin at the bottom of your wall or cardboard backing and glue four full sections in a row.
Stack three on top, then two, and finally one — forming a pyramid or Christmas tree shape. Leave a little space between each row for a whimsical, hand-crafted look.

4. Add the Trunk and Star

Glue a rectangle of brown or orange paper underneath for the trunk. Then, cut out a star from yellow cardstock or glitter foam and stick it proudly on top.

5. Decorate with Recycled Ornaments

This is where the fun really begins! Add small, lightweight decorations such as:

  • Painted paper cups or mini yogurt containers as bells

  • Cork angels with paper wings

  • Bows made from fabric scraps or old ribbon

  • Recycled buttons, beads, or handmade paper ornaments

Encourage students to bring in clean recyclables from home — bottle caps, foil, paper scraps — to personalize their ornaments.

6. Create a Base of Paper Presents

Let the kids draw and color “presents” on scrap paper or cardboard. Cut them out and glue them along the bottom of the tree for a playful finishing touch.

Incorporating Sustainability in the Classroom

This project is more than just a craft; it’s a conversation starter. Talk with your students about where egg cartons come from, what materials they’re made of, and why reusing them matters. You can even turn this into a mini sustainability unit by encouraging them to bring other recyclable materials and brainstorm creative ways to repurpose them.

Consider making it a group art installation where each student contributes a decoration or an environmental message card to hang on the tree.

Display and Celebrate

Once the tree is complete, display it proudly in your classroom or hallway. It’s a wonderful way to show visitors that your class celebrates the holidays with creativity, community spirit, and an eco-conscious mindset.

Teacher Tip

If your school promotes green education, use this project to highlight your commitment to sustainability in the classroom. Share the finished tree on social media or your school newsletter with a note about how your students reused materials to reduce waste.

CraftGossip.com – Inspiring creative ways to make sustainability a joyful part of learning.

 

Explore

books Christmas CraftGossip Giveaways Craft Inspirations Easter glass halloween Home Decor kid crafts More Crafts Patterns & Tutorials Recycled and Thrifted Ideas recycled art Recycled Clothing Recycled Jewelry Recycled kids crafts Recycled Sewing Recycling Ideas Recycling Organizing tin can

Featured Posts

How to make a recycled box Christmas village

How to make a vintage lace pennant banner

Giveaway: Indygo Junction patterns

A powder puff into a wand! Now that is some magic recycling

Winner- Walnut Hollow Basswood Country round

RSS feed: More Articles More Articles

  • 10 Bucket Hat Knitting Patterns for a Fun Handmade Wardrobe
  • 10 Free Hot Water Bottle Cover Knitting Patterns for Cosy Nights
  • How to Make a Thanksgiving Family Recipe Scrapbook
  • 10 Triangle Scarf Knitting Patterns for Cosy Layers and Handmade Gifts
  • Free Christmas Pudding Cross Stitch Gift Tag Pattern With DMC Colour Key
  • Crochet Eyelet Jacket Crochet Pattern That Feels Polished but Totally Wearable
  • 10 Thanksgiving Math Printables for Kids: Counting, Addition and Fun Number Puzzles
  • Inexpensive Homemade Food Gifts That Mean More Than Another Christmas Present
  • Selected Yarns Advertised at $2, $4 and $6
  • 12 Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns That Fit in Small Hoops

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy