Short on space, but need a functional gardening tool? Create this convertible garden tote! It can be used as a tote bag with pockets, a gardener’s kneeling pad or even a sport’s fans stadium cushion. And best of all, it folds up flat, so it can be stored anywhere! Download printable instructions.

Materials:

• Two 16” x 16” x 1”square chair pad foam
• Two 16” x 16” x 1”square chair pad foam
• Two 14” double sided reversible nylon zippers
• 1 1/4 yard canvas fabric
• 1 1/4 yard coordinating decorator or cotton fabric
• All-purpose thread
• Basic sewing supplies

Tools:

• Baby Lock Sewing Machine

Steps:

1. Cut a rectangle 19” x 38 ½” from the canvas and coordinating decorator fabric. These pieces become the front and back of the tote.

2. Cut a 12” x 19” piece from the canvas and coordinating decorator fabric for the pockets.

3. Mark the center line of the main pieces.

4. Hem the top edge of the pocket piece.

5. Attach the pocket by placing right sides together and straight stitching the bottom edge to the center line.

6. Fold the pocket so the wrong side of the pocket faces the right side of the cover and baste in place on the edges.

7. Straight stitch two seams through the pocket to create dividing lines. The pockets do not have to be even in width; adjust according to your preference.

8. Repeat this process for the pocket piece on the other side.

9. Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper pieces to the sides of the front.

   Note: When folded in half the zippers should match up and zip.

10. Place the back to the front, right sides together, and pin. Sew the side seams using a zipper foot.

11. Cut the strapping in half to make two handles.

12. Insert the handle between the layers and pin and baste the ends into place.

13. . Stitch all the way across one end only.

14. On the other end stitch 2” from the corner. Leave an opening for turning and stitch 2” to the other corner.

15. Turn right side out, and then insert the two foam chair pads.

16. Whip stitch or top stitch the opening closed.

17. Straight stitch across the center line, dividing the two cushions to keep the foam from shifting and to allow the tote to fold.