For the first time in Seattlest's life, we're actually bemoaning the fact that we don't have any tank tops in our closet. Heck, this is probably the first time we've ever thought about not owning a tank top. Not having one puts a serious crimp in our plans to go to Sustainable Capitol Hill's Tank Tops to Totes this Saturday at Stitches on Capitol Hill. (We don't think Sustainable Capitol Hill has a Web site. If they do, we can't find it.)

People will come to Tank Tops to Totes with their old tank tops and leave with new tote bags made from those tanks. We have to admit, this is not something we ever thought we'd want to do when we first saw the poster. We did think that it was a great idea even if we don't use tote bags or wear tank tops, because it's re-using instead of throwing out.

"No matter," we thought, "it's a neat enough event to write about and there must people out there who have tank tops and use tote bags, right?"

Turns out, as Jill at Sustainable Capitol Hill happened to point out, we actually do use tote bags all the time, we just forgot that it's the proper name of those bags we use instead of paper or plastic at the super market. Good thing we're a writer.

"Okay," we thought, "If we go, we'll end up with something we'd use, but we've never used a sewing machine and aren't really sure what all those lines on sewing patterns are or how they turn into a thing made out of fabric." We love re-using and all, but we're not so into sewing our fingers together.

Not a chance, according to Jill. She says, "The pattern is super simple - it requires only one seam, and there will be plenty of experienced people on hand to help out complete beginners."

Ok. Ok. We use totes and could even make one (or at least get someone to make sure we don't sew our fingers together). We'd totally go if we wore tank tops. Again, Jill, who we don't even know but think is really cool because she keeps setting us straight did so again, without even being asked. Apparently, basketball jerseys work just as well. So do wife beaters (we have one from an old costume), she said.

"The bigger the armholes, the more likely the bag could be slung over a shoulder," Jill informed us.

Now the only thing that we have to worry about is decorating our bag appropriately. Jill said to bring little things to add to the bags. Unfortunately we didn't get that bedazzler we asked Hanukkah Harry for, so we'll try and come up with something else to stick on there. Maybe macaroni would work? We used to be pretty good with the stuff in kindergarten. We'll do pretty much anything Jill says at this point, so we don't have to worry about our typing fingers getting sewn together.

Tank Tops to Totes happens on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 1 pm to 5 pm at Stitches (711 E. Pike St.) You should bring tank tops, wife beaters or jerseys to make into bags. Jill says to bring extras so enough totes can be made to hand them out at grocery stores in the neighborhood. You should also bring scissors, thread and needles, though some supplies can be shared or purchased at Stitches. For more information, email sustcaphill@gmail.com.