Reversible tissue case

For a while now I've wanted to make a tissue case that's reversible -- where all the seams are hidden and it looks the same just as nice one way as it does the other.  Lately, the idea has been swimming around my head quite a bit.  So, yesterday, I picked up some scraps and started folding and turning them and I finally figured out how to do it.  I was so excited that I had to drop everything, excuse myself from company, and start sewing!

The original prototype is a tiny pink scrap that's not big enough to fit anything but I made a more tissue case-like version today.  Here it is:

I just love all things reversible (eg. reversible camera bag, reversible tote bag).  It's like having two items in one. And with none of the raw edges showing, it's like magic!

Reversible Camera Bag

I made this camera bag last week using more of my recycled shirt.

I had an idea for a pattern for a reversible laptop sleeve/bag and I wanted to test it out with something small first, so I wouldn't put too much fabric at risk. So, this is what I ended up with.

Blue side out:


Striped side out:

Lunch bag/placemat tutorial

To make the lunch bag which doubles as a placemat you'll need:

-2 pieces 18" x 12" for the outside of the lunch bag
-2 pieces 17.75" x 11.5" for the placemat/lining of the lunch bag
-2 pieces 1.5" x 12" for the handle (the photo shows one piece 1.5" x 24")
-8 pieces of velcro 1.5" (4 'hook' sides and 4 'loop' sides)
-coordinating thread (the stitches will show on the outside)

All these measurements are pretty flexible. With larger pieces of fabric you get a slightly larger lunch bag and with smaller pieces you get a smaller one.


First, make the creases in the lunch bag. These creases will help the bag fold into the classic brown paper lunch bag shape.

Lunch bag/placemat

For a while I've had this idea about making a lunch bag that could double as a placemat.

Here it is!

I put two rows of velcro on it, so it could be 'expandable'.

It's lined with a contrasting colour and when you turn it inside out, it can be used as a placemat! Ta da!

My recycled shirt

Here's what I made at the recycle a shirt class and the tote bag class, plus what I did with the rest of the shirt:

From the sleeves and cuffs I made two shoe bags and a pouch. The pouch is made from the two cuffs sewn together. These are super easy projects.

From the body of the shirt, I made a lined, reversible bag. The blue fabric is from a recycled shawl. The pocket is one of the front pockets of the shirt. This one is a little more complicated. Making the straps took much longer than I anticipated. But it looks pretty cool, huh?