You can make a tote bag in a jiffy using two placements. Placemats are finished front and back so most of the work is already done for you. I picked up these placemats already trimmed with lots of ribbon for just a few dollars. Look for deals on the clearance table, you only need two for this project. Begin with your two placemats placed face down, side by side, and pin a zipper face down between the two. Top stitch the zipper to the mats.
Use a wide zigzag stitch to secure the ends of the zipper and the mats. Be careful not to stitch into the zipper thereby breaking your needle! Trust me, I speak with experience.
Open the zipper to facilitate turning the bag. With right sides together sew around the remaining three sides of the bag using approximately 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Open seam at the bottom of the bag and match seam line of bottom with side as shown forming triangle. Stitch across the bottom of the triangle. This will form the base of the bag. Turn the bag to the right side. 
Cut two pieces of matching grosgrain ribbon for handles approximately 20 inches long.
Attach the ribbon to the bag leaving a 3 to 4 inch tail. Tie a knot covering your stitching line.
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Enjoy! This is a great size for carrying a notebook, magazine, knitting project, quilt squares, etc.
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