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It’s time for another Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge and this time I am sharing how to make DIY Pom & Tassel Basket Totes. For more fun thrift store upcycles see my Home Decor page.
I love raiding the basket section of thrift stores. You can usually find the most unique baskets to use for decor or in this case fashion for a fraction of the cost of retail ones. They run around $3 to $5 versus the twenty dollars and up prices of regular retail. These days, you can find in most clothing stores or stores like Target, fun large basket totes with ball trim, tassels. They all have a bohemian look for spring/summer handbags or beach totes.
On my thrift store hunt, I found some great basket totes and canvas totes to decorate like the pricey ones sold in stores. I love funky vintage basket totes. It’s awesome when you find them in great condition. Plus it is super easy to dress up these totes with simple ball trim, tassel trim, and a cute tassel pom charm. Let me show you how to make great tassel basket totes in minutes that won’t break the bank! Let’s make a tote!
DIY Pom Tassel Basket Totes
Supplies:
- Totes: Half Moon Basket Tote, Straw Tote, Canvas Tote
- Pom Pom Trim: Orange
- Mini Pom Pom Trim: Yellow
- Tassel Trim: Multicolor (cloth stores like Hobby Lobby)
- Hot Glue & Gun
- Scissors
- Pom & Tassel Charm (On second basket tote, tutorial in another post)
Instructions:
Start with a plain basket or canvas tote. I got mine for a whopping $2.99 at my fav thrift store. It is a vintage half moon basket and it had some wear on the edges. I took spray on shellac to restore some of the color and shine back into the whicker. Make sure follow manufacturers directions and spray the bag outside. The fumes from the shellac are pretty harsh.
Start by pinning the tassel and ball trim to the basket using large sewing pins. When you get the right color combo and you are happy with the placement, unpin and remove the top trim.
Begin gluing the trim on the side of the tote. I only had a small amount of the multicolor tassel so I used it on the inside of the handle. Glue the ends together when they meet.
Glue a layer of ball trim on the top of the tassel trim. Glue the yellow mini pom trim over the ball trim on the edge. This project is super easy to make and is only a fraction of the cost of department store bags!
I couldn’t stop at just one bag I had to make a bunch. Above you can see where I added trim to canvas totes. I also made the pom pom tassel bag charm on bottom basket tote. See the link for that tutorial.
LOVE IT? PIN IT!
More Tassel Craft Projects:
- Boho Tassle & Fringe Purse
- DIY Tassel Key Chain
- Suede Tassel Necklace
- Mini Hoop Seashell Wall Hanging by My Pinterventures
My Must-Have Amazon Tassel Picks:
- Pom & Tassel Beach Bag
- Pom & Tassel Necklace
- Tassel Earrings
- Pom & Tassel Sandals
Now for More Thrift Store Makeovers!
I’ve paired up with 19 other talented ladies to bring you a monthly Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge. Each month we will create a new home decor piece from an item(s) we’ve found at a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. There is no budget or specific theme so we are free to let our creativity run wild!
Meet the Hosts
Amanda | The Kolb Corner Chelc| Inside the Fox Den
Erlene | My Pinterventures Kim | Made in a Day Sara | Twelve on Main
Debra | Shoppe No. 5 Shirley | Intelligent Domestications
Marie | DIY Adulation Lindsay | Crazy Organized Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Julie | Live From Julie’s House Dru | Polka Dot Poplars
Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles Pili | Sweet Things Channell | Hobnail House
Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Paula | Virginia Sweet Pea Sherry | Savvy Apron Stacy | Anastasia Vintage
You can also follow our board on Pinterest for more Upcycled Decor Inspiration!
Check out more of my fashion projects~
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oh my god I love these!
Where did you get the fringe and pom poms? I can’t seem to find anything this cute!
Hi Elana,
Try JoAnn’s Fabrics and Hobby Lobby, they both have a great selection of fabric trim. The large orange ball trim and colorful tassels are from JoAnn’s.
Kim
This is one of my favorite projects of yours :) I just love the tassels, and how many different looks you created! These are so perfect for summer! I’ll be featuring at our Merry Monday party this week.
Your totes are so pretty and colorful now!! It’s fantastic you got that one for less than $3!! They are so expensive here! I will have my eyes open from now on when visiting thrift stores.
Thanks Pili.
this is such a cute diy. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things link party. Watch for your feature tomorrow xo
Thanks so much katherine!
I didn’t realize that this was your thrift store upcycle…blown away! I’m so in love these cute bags and can’t wait to see your next tutorial.
So adorable! Love the fringe & tassels. So fun!
Thanks so much Michelle!
These totes are just to cute. Anyone carrying these are going to get noticed.
Thanks Debra! Love the darker one the best.
Kim
Cute! You gave these basket totes personality!
Thank’s Paula, I actually have four the other two are regular canvas totes I used them for vacation instead of lugging a backpack. Definitely cuter than a backpack.
Kim
What a great idea! I see these wicker totes all the time at thrift stores. Now I have a reason to pick one up!
I have to admit I have a bunch, for this very reason. Thank you!
Kim