Our 4th annual "Adopt a 2023 High School Senior from Foster Care" campaign is underway.
For Texas, we have 622 seniors graduating. Due to privacy issues mandated by CPS, we do not know what county they live in, their names, or their gender but DO KNOW they are graduating this school year. With that information, the utility tote will need to be gender-neutral colors/designs.

Utility Totes

***** Please read all of these instructions prior to sewing *****
These are the minimum requirements

Materials needed:
1- yard of 45" wide 100% Cotton
2 -55" lengths of 4MM Bonnie brand craft cord (Hobby Lobby in the macrame' section.
   These are 100' rolls of cording so 10 -11 bags can be made from one bundle.
   Share among fellow sewers making these same utility totes)

Cut one yard of 45” wide material. Remove the selvages. and Remove the fold from the
lengthwise side of the fabric by cutting 1/16” away. This should result in two pieces of fabric, 23-24” by 36”.  (be sure you are cutting away the fold on the longest side opposite the selvages).

*** If your fabric is directional turn one piece upside down to make the fabric all
going the same direction. ****

If using a sewing machine:
Place the two pieces of fabric WRONG sides together.  Measure 2”  down from the top on each side with a pencil or fabric marker.   Start sewing at the 2” mark and sewing 1/4” seam down both sides and the bottom, leaving the top 2” of the bag not sewn. Clip a scant 1/4"  just above the 2” mark so seam will pay flat when it is turned out. Turn the fabric inside out with the right sides now together.  Press the seams, then starting at the 2” mark from the top, sew a 3/8” seam down both sides and the bottom.  Turn right sides out.  Press seams.

If using a serger:
Serge all four sides of each of the two panels independent of each other.  Place the two panels with RIGHT sides together.  Measure down 2" from the top and mark with a fabric marker.  Beginning at the 2" mark, sew a 1/4" seam.  Above the 2" mark, clip a scant 1/4" into the seam so that the seam will lay flat when pressed.  After pressing, stitch each side of the upper 2"  from the top down to the clipped seam and over to the other side and back up to the top.  Turn the piece right sides out and press seam.

Finishing for sewn or serged bags:
At the top, fold the top side seam piece in to match the rest of the sides and stitch that piece down. Do that to all four sides individually. To make your top casing, press down the top edge 3/8” and press.  Then fold it 3/4” down to where the side seam started.  Pin in place and press it and sew it close to the edge.  Run the cording into the casing around both sides leaving enough to tie both ends into a knot.  Start on the opposite side and run the cording into the casing around both sides leaving enough to tie both ends into a knot.  This should result in a drawstring bag.

If using polyester cording, the ends need to be burned to prevent fraying.  

If for some reason you are unable to complete the utility tote or need more information, please email Millie Stuessy at  millieday1bags@gmail.com , Debbie Pierce at debbmp@gmail.com or send it to me at day1bags@gmail.com. Subject line: 2023 Senior utility tote.  

On behalf of Day 1 Bags, thank you for your interest and for your generous donation! You truly make a difference. Day 1 Bags is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to Day 1 Bags are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by the law. You can print off an In-Kind donation form from this page.


Thank you

Hunter Beaton, Day 1 Bags (Day 1 Bags Founder) - www.day1bags.org