![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7708/17285766361_4abafd1a68_o.jpg)
Whenever I go thrift shopping I always check the purse section to see if there are any of those awesomely retro raffia embroidered bags. You know the ones, they're usually made with a natural woven fiber, big enough to carry to the beach or farmer's market, and the embroidered designs were either simple or totally over the top. I spotted these plain straw tote bags in the Target Dollar Spot (only $3 each!) and knew immediately that I wanted to recreate the retro floral vibe that you see on those vintage straw bags. Good news: it's easy and you don't have be an embroidery whiz to recreate the look!
Here's what you'll need to make your own raffia embroidered tote:
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8770/17283870472_436740d0d2_z.jpg)
- Plain straw tote bag. I got mine at Target, but Amazon also has a few similar styles. This one is adorable! Note: if the bag is lined you'll have to open it up to get to the inside of the bag.
- Raffia Ribbon. I kept it simple and used black, yellow, and white
- Yarn needle
- Other stuff: scissors, round items to trace, pencil
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7711/17098137500_f49b3ea4e0_z.jpg)
Cut a length of the raffia and tie a knot at one end. Thread the needle and start by stitching simple, large stitches that go from the center circle to the outer circle, with space in between each.
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8766/17285186911_d405c3578f_z.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8774/17099497829_30672ba277_z.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8685/17285698825_47e0c95641_z.jpg)
Tips
- Don't pull the raffia too tight. The goal is for the stitches and the bag to lie flat.
- Untwist the raffia as you go.
- Finish each length of raffia with a knot inside the bag, as close as possible to the bag.
- Make sure to pull the raffia all the way through when you're stitching.
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7669/17097928388_8173a1fc7e_z.jpg)
Tie a knot on one end and thread onto the needle. Come up in the center of a flower, twist the raffia twice around the needle, and push the needle down into the bag, just next to where the needle came up. Pull tight.
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/17285702005_977c7b016a_z.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8805/17098152580_a527c87de3_z.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7697/17078269287_3964f7ce9b_z.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8797/17285712275_0a26928e3d_z.jpg)
Stitch some leaves around the bag in varying sizes. I stitched simple V-shapes and then added a long stitch through the center.
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8755/17286270155_bedfc17251_z.jpg)
That's it! Can you believe how easy that was? I'm so excited to take my new, retro bag out and about.
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7676/16666027193_92448bd5e6_o.jpg)
![DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial! DIY Raffia Embroidered Tote | click through for the full tutorial!](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7704/17260314986_598bc28ed7_o.jpg)