If you’re looking for things to make from the Dollar Tree, I’ve got you covered. I’ve got some creative ideas to share about easy Dollar Tree sewing projects, so I’m starting a mini-series. So far, I have about 5 projects planned, and I’m excited to post them over the coming weeks. Dollar DIY crafts are always really fun for me, because it’s a great chance to think outside the box!
The Dollar Tree craft aisle is great, but have you checked out the laundry or kitchen sections? I want to show you how easy it is to get started with anything, anywhere and still wind up with something pretty great.
It’s also OK to just learn by trial and error. Hopefully, I can save you some time by experimenting first and spilling all of the secrets of how I make my projects successful.
I’m going to start with a simple project first. I’m going to show you how I made this cute tote bag today.
This isn’t necessarily a tutorial, but you could follow along easily enough.
And if you’re still not sure about DIY projects from the Dollar Tree…
How Can I Make High End Dollar Tree Crafts?
A common concern when making crafts with materials from Dollar Tree is that the finished product might look too “cheap.” Or something about it just looks too homemade or scrappy. It’s a very valid concern. The key is to assess your materials and what you want to make with them.
I may be biased, but I’ll tell you that these could be some of the best Dollar Tree crafts that will get you motivated to make your own. Throughout each project, I plan to show you tips and tricks I use to keep my projects having a more sleek and high end craftsmanship.
For starts, here are some suggestions:
- Stick to one color palette. Neutrals work better, since they can mix and match better.
- Find resources where they give “more” or “extra” material – if you run out, you’re going to need more and you don’t want to run out prematurely. For example, choose curtains over fabric remnants if you can.
- Strategically take advantage of graphics – there’s less work for you to create interest points out of thin air.
- A well-placed flourish or embezzlement goes a long way.
As an introduction to the series, here’s all of the items I bought from my trip to my local dollar store. The grand total was about $17.50. Not bad for two bags, a blouse, a skirt, and a dress. Can you see it?
If you’re interested in hearing more tips like this, let me know! You can also follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for updates and polls. I’d love to address any pain points when it comes to Dollar Tree crafts. Without further ado, let’s make an easy tote!
Materials
You’ll need:
- A tote bag
- Dish cloth with a nice graphic on it
- Scissors (fabric shears preferred)
- Pins
- Sewing machine with a free-arm setting
(here, I used a sewing machine, though in retrospect, this could have easily been done with hand sewing or fabric tape. I’ll talk more about that later!)
Why I like these materials:
The tote bag was meant to be used as a tote bag, so I already know it should work perfectly fine for extra clothes, books, etc. It’s on the thinner side, so I probably wouldn’t use these for heavy groceries or a laptop. And it’s washable, which is good for stains, etc.
The dishcloth can also get wet in case it needs to be washed. However, it probably shouldn’t be washed often. I can tell the image on the dishcloth would crack after a few washes – which works for this project, since totes don’t need to be washed as often.
Process
1. I started with laying out my materials and visualizing how I wanted my tote bag to look. Here, I lined up the image on the tote in the center
TIP: Inspect your fabrics before starting. Sometimes cheaper fabrics fray more easily or the image print isn’t aligned.
2. Trim off the edges of the dishcloth. I left about 1/2″ of seam allowance for sewing later.
3. Carefully pin the image to the tote bag. Fold the seam allowance under the graphic so that the edges are smooth.
If you want to add some extra flair, here is the perfect time to add it. You can add a cute lace or ribbon trim (which can be found at other dollar stores) or your favorite patches. You can even crochet your own motifs or trims.
4. Set up your sewing machine. If using a sewing machine, remember to remove part of the stage attachment so that it can sew more easily.
TIP: Choose a decorative stitch if your sewing machine has it. It’s another effortless way to make your tote more elegant.
5. Start sewing!
TIP: Don’t be afraid to stop and remove your tote to inspect your progress. You can always pick up right were you left off.
TIP: Make sure that where you’re sewing is CLEAR of any other parts of the tote folded under it.
When you reach the corners, remember to fold in the opposite edge as well. It will be a little thicker, but it should be fine since the dishcloth is thin.
I stopped to inspect at the first finished edge. You’ll notice the graphic actually stretched a bit further to the right (see image below). I adjusted the pins accordingly for the next edge so that the graphic wouldn’t wrinkle and continued to sew.
TIP: If you face a similar issue, I would recommend leaning into the problem rather than to try to fix it. I prioritized my graphic to lay flat rather than to sit perfectly in the middle. While it won’t be perfect anymore, it will still look better smooth than wrinkled.
By the time I got to the last edge, the graphic stretched yet again more than I wanted. But I adjusted the pins and kept going.
The finished bag. It may not be perfectly aligned, but it’s smooth!
End Result
Here’s what the bag looked like. You can tell the graphic is crooked and it ended up puckering around the edges.
But you can hardly tell the puckering while using it.
What I Would Have Done Differently
I’ll be fully transparent and say the dishcloth was way flimsier than I was expecting it to be. Which really impacted the way the sewing machine handled it.
However, I still think this bag ended up really cute, and what I would do differently next time is to sew by hand. That would resolve the crooked graphic AND puckering, which were the only two issues.
Aside from that, my bag was still very cute and usable. Can you even tell the graphic is crooked?
I would 100% wear this tote out again. I think the huge graphic really provides a huge point of interest, and I don’t think anyone could tell this wasn’t store-bought.
Conclusion
Dollar store sewing projects can be tricky. But I hope today’s project gave you great tips and inspiration to make your own. You definitely need to be more proactive with cheaper materials. But if you pay attention to the right things, you can make some really nice-looking accessories or even clothes.
If you’re looking for more dollar tree craft ideas like this, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss another post! You can also follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for the latest updates.
Till next time, xo.
Note that am not affiliated with any of the brands, authors, or organizations mentioned in this post.