Are you trying to curb your use of disposable bags? Fabric tote bags are stylish and green alternatives to plastic or paper, and they can be customized in countless ways. A blank canvas for all kinds of embellishing techniques, tote bags are the perfect place to stretch your creativity. Making the basic tote is a snap, and from there, the sky’s the limit. Once you’ve got the basic tote down, you can start to experiment with different designs to make your bag stand out from the crowd.

In this article from Quick Stuff to Sew, Vol. 2, Kayte Terry shows you three variations on the simple tote to try. Stitch up a pile of totes, and embellish them for gifts, or better yet, invite your friends over and get creative!