Our first Redeeming Stitches project turns a Dollar Tree placemat into a sturdy Bible tote a child can carry to church. It’s quick, it costs a couple of dollars, and it gives a little one a bag that’s all their own for their Bible.
Redeeming Stitches is our new sewing channel. The idea behind the name is simple: take ordinary, overlooked things and turn them into something useful and meaningful. A plain placemat felt like the perfect place to start.
Why a placemat makes a great tote
A woven placemat is already the right shape, already finished on the edges, and stiff enough to hold a Bible upright. That means fewer cuts, no hemming, and a bag that keeps its shape.
- Budget-friendly: the main material comes from Dollar Tree.
- Beginner-friendly: mostly straight seams, so it’s a good first machine project.
- Meaningful: a perfect gift for Sunday school, VBS, a baptism, or Christmas.
- Easy to make in batches: sew one for every kid in a class.
What you’ll need
- 1 Dollar Tree woven placemat
- Strap material for handles (webbing, ribbon, or a strip cut from a second placemat)
- All-purpose or heavy-duty thread
- Sewing machine with a heavy-duty or denim needle
- Clips or pins
- Scissors or a rotary cutter
- Optional: iron-on patch, embroidery, or fabric paint for a name or verse
How it comes together
The full step-by-step is in our video, “How to Sew a Kids’ Bible Tote from a Dollar Tree Placemat.” Here’s the basic flow:
- Fold the placemat in half to form the bag, finished edges at the top.
- Clip the sides and stitch them closed with a sturdy seam.
- Cut and attach two handles, backstitching where they meet the bag.
- Add a name, a cross, or a favorite verse to make it personal.
Short on time? Use the chapters in the full video to jump straight to the step you need.
Tips and ways to make it your own
- Go slow on thick spots. Woven placemats get bulky where seams and handles overlap, so use a heavier needle and a longer stitch.
- Reinforce the handles. A box stitch (a square with an X through it) helps them hold up to a heavy Bible and an energetic kid.
- Personalize it. If you have an embroidery machine, stitch the child’s name or a short verse like “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.”
- Make a set. Pick seasonal placemats for Christmas or Easter gifts, or buy a pack and sew one for every child in a Sunday school class.
What’s next on Redeeming Stitches
This tote is just the beginning. Redeeming Stitches is all about small, simple sewing projects you can finish in an afternoon. Many will use budget finds, and some will show off what our embroidery machine can do. With Christmas coming, watch for easy handmade gifts you can sew for family, teachers, and your church family.
If you make a Bible tote, we’d love to see it! Subscribe to Redeeming Stitches on YouTube so you don’t miss the next project, and pin this post to save it for later.