Recycled Chip Bag Tote

I am always happy when I can re-purpose something that would normally end up in the trash.  I started saving chip bags with good graphic designs without a project in mind.  At first I was going to sew them into totes but then I saw the attractive duct tapes at Ben Franklin Crafts so I decided to tape the totes together.  I think they turned out rather well and the only cost was a roll of duct tape. Here's how I made the totes:

1) Wash and dry five chip bags (two wider ones for the front and back and two narrower ones for the sides and a smaller bag for the bottom).

2) Staple the front and back bags to the side ones to form the tote. Trim the top even and staple the bottom bag (cutting if necessary) in place.

3) Next cut and adhere four pieces of duct tape to fit the bottom edges of the tote.

4) Tape the sides of the tote and then the top.

5) Form two handles by folding 22-1/2" strips in half lengthwise.

6) Attach the handles inside the tote with more duct tape and add more tape around the inside rim of the tote.

The new colorful tie-dyed duct tapes are pretty forgiving so if you have gaps in the corners of the tote you can easily patch them.  I hope you'll try to make a recycled chip bag tote or maybe you can design your own chip bag duct tape project.  Happy recycled crafting!