Aggravating Placemat Tote Bag

This is another project from the "Sewing Green" book.  It is suppose to be a simple, simple project.  It was anything but.  It is made out of four placemats, two for the sides, half of one for the bottom and two 1/3 pieces for the sides. 

This project turned into a disaster for me.  The problem was that the placemats I had were way to thick to sew with any kind of ease, especially the bottom corners.   The reason I chose them, besides I loved the color,  was because they were heavier and therefore would make a more sturdy bag.  During the course of sewing it I broke three, count them three, needles.  I can go months without breaking a needle and in one night broke three. 

Now that it is done I am going to make sure we use that bag until it wears out.