Tote bag tutorial--make those freebee totes beautiful

If you end up with ugly canvas tote bags from work or conferences, here's the perfect way to turn them into beautiful, personal holiday gifts.  This quick project takes less than an hour and the results are great.

Supplies:
I tote bag (with an ugly logo is fine--the idea is to cover it up so you'll want to use your tote for your groceries or as an oversize purse)
A piece of contrasting fabric (dark fabric for a canvas tote) about 12 x 12 inches
A piece of fusible web (like Heat and Bond) about 12 x 12 inches

Tools:
Scissors
Iron
Computer and printer
Sewing machine (optional)

Start with your ugly tote.

Choose a letter and print it out to create a monogram. I used 550 pt Liffey Script SF to type the letter "L" but any font will do--print out your monogram letter nice and large. I printed mine in outline form and then outlined it on the paper using a sharpie so it would show through on the back.  Measure the logo on the bag you are trying to cover and make sure you can cut out your monogram without the logo showing.

Once you decide on the right size square to cover your logo and fit your monogram letter, draw the square onto the papery side of the fusible web. My square was 8.5 inches wide 

Now is the tricky part--remember that what is the sticky side of the fusible web will actually be the top of the final project. Basically, you need to use a mirror image of the letter.  See photo above. I've got the fusible web paper side up and the letter is reversed underneath and ready to trace. When I trace it and look at the sticky side of the fusible web the letter will be the right direction. Sorry if this step is confusing--it's late.

Once it's all traced, cut out the fusible web outside the square line (leave a little around the edge) and fuse to the back of your fabric using the iron. At this point I also scribbled in the inside of the letter so I could keep track of what part of the letter to keep and what part to discard.

Once the entire thing is cut out (including the letter) peel the paper backing off everything EXCEPT the letter (the scribbled in part).

Now reassemble your puzzle on top of your tote. I used the letter (with the paper still on) as a guide to arrange all the bits and pieces perfectly.  Then iron to affix the fabric to the tote. Once it's tacked in place, you can pull out the letter and then iron the whole thing securely.  One thing to note, after you lay it out but before you iron peek under the letter to ensure none of the logo is showing through.  I failed to do this and some of the logo shows in the letter :(

It's hard to see in the photo but the entire cutout design is on the tote with sticky side down. The letter is in place but since the paper is still on the back it won't stick when you iron it.

Ideally, if you didn't start this project at 10 p.m., you may want to stitch around the edges of all the pieces of fabric to make sure this is really secure.  Alternatively, use Heat and Bond Ultra which is a pretty sturdy fusible web.

The tote isn't super washable but have you ever washed a canvas tote bag? They shrink like nobody's business anyway.

If this design doesn't float your boat, an alternative is to just sew a giant pocket to the front of the tote.

Iron the edges under on a square of fabric

Pin to tote covering logo and then just stitch it in place. A few tips on that, if you can, expose just the arm of your sewing machine. Then, as you sew, basically turn the bag inside out. Run your left hand inside the bag to ensure you aren't catching the back of the bag as you stitch.

You may also want to use interfacing to stiffen the pocket fabric depending on how stiff your bag is. My pocket is a bit floppy.

Once you've stitched it on, you're done.

This photo is awful but this is a nice, simple bag with the raw selvedge edge of the linen pocket as the only embellishment. If I had time I might have embroidered on the pocket. Free embroidery patterns can be found here.

Let me know if you embellish a tote! I'd love to see a photo.

Comments

[kelly]

Great idea! -kb

[farfromca]

great idea. i have about 10 canvas bags that I have from various conferences and such. I have washed a few, and yes, they shrink to the point that they aren't really that useful anymore. Anyway, when I pull out the sewing machine (soon) I might just make myself a monkey tote out of my left overs from squeaker's room

[LauraJ]

What a great tutorial! And you used the letter L of all letters. I love me some letter L. I remember being young and wanting all of Lavern's clothes...remember Lavern and Shirley?