Thrift Store Rug Turned Adorable Tote

I fell in love with this rug & decided to make good use of it!!
The rug only cost $3. I had the ribbon and zebra fabric scraps already at home. *ADD THE POCKET BEFORE YOU SEW THE BAG TOGETHER!!* I simply folded the rug in half and sewed the sides together, obviously leaving the ends not sewn together, but topstitched each instead.

To create the straps: I took 3 strips of ribbon, all the same length, after deciding how long I wanted the straps to be. I first sewed two of the pieces of ribbon overlapping long-ways, just to create a wider strap. I sewed on the third piece of ribbon, creating a strap about two inches wide. I did the same for the other strap, then sewed them on about two and a half inches below the top of the bag.

To create the pocket: I cut a square of the zebra-print fabric and created a pleat and pinned it on the rug. I zig-zag stitched the pocket. I then added the bow by stitching it in the middle of the pocket and the bow, keeping it in place and from coming undone.

I weaved some elastic through the top so my stuff wouldnt fall out. :)