Trick or Treat Halloween Tote

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the wonderful ladies of Beijos Events a couple different times, so I was super excited when I was asked to help out and create a DIY tutorial for a Halloween straw tote. It looks like Halloween is going to be heavily Batman themed this year so I’m pretty amped to have an excuse to make something girly! So here it is; the cutest little DIY straw Halloween tote with sequin script lettering and yarn tassels. Follow along to make your own! – Leanna

Trick or Treat Tote

You’ll need:
Sequin trim
Hot glue gun & hot glue
Trick or treat stencil (or your own design)
Pen/pencil
Straw tote bag
Yarn in colors of your choice
Pom Pom makers
Sharp embroidery scissors
Wide eye needle

 Making Pom Poms

Wrap one side of the Pom Pom maker in your choice of yarn. You’ll need to hold onto the ends at first until the multiple layers hold it in place. 

Once the first side is full, close that side by pushing it back towards center. Note: the “fluffier” your yarn, the fluffier your Pom Pom. Press the yarn between your fingers to determine its fluffy-ness. If it compresses a lot you’ll get fuller Pom Poms. 

Wrap the other side like you did the first. Your Pom Pom maker should look like this.

Take your scissors and cut along the spine from the hinge end (cutting from the other direction may cause the Pom Pom maker to open accidentally). 

Cut a length of yarn and wrap around the Pom Pom maker along the spine (same place you cut the yarn before). Pull tight and tie a double knot. 

Gently pull Pom Pom arms apart by pushing outwards and the. Pull the center of your Pom Pom maker apart by pulling outwards on each side of the center (The white part of my Pom Pom maker for reference).

Gently fluff Pom Pom with your fingers

Trim away all excess until well rounded.

Making Tassels

Wrap yarn around your hand (keeping your fingers evenly spaced) until you reach your desired tassel thickness.

Gently remove from hand to maintain the loop.

Strong a length of yarn through the entire loop  (I have a second length of yarn looped separately so that I can hide my knots, but this step is not necessary).

Tie a double knit tightly, this will be the top of your tassel. If you want to hide your knot you can flip the tassel upside down so the knotted string is inside the tassel and the extra string is now the top. 

Cut through the loop at the bottom of your tassel.

Wrap a length of yarn three times around the tassel near the top, gently pulling tightly and keeping the shape of your tassel in tact.

Tie your knot (I usually tuck mine inside the tassel to hide it once tied). 

Trim the end of your tassel until even. 

Sequin Lettering

Trace or draw your phrase onto your tote, I used a new sharpie (finer point). 

Carefully place your sequin trim along your lettering before gluing

Do just a few letters at a time with the hot glue gun. 

I made sure to glue down the loose strands on the edge of the trim before gluing each time.

Some letters worked better as one continuous strand while others needed to be cut in specific locations. Go slowly and measure before cutting and gluing.

Hot glue can get a little messy so just remember you’re better off letting it harden and then removing it than trying to get it off before it dries. Dried hot glue leaves less residue behind than trying to clean it up while it’s hot.

Finally, use your wide eye needle to thread through your Pom Poms and tassels and the tote!

Enjoy!