T-minus 4 days and counting… until the Haven Conference in Atlanta! I’m already learning so much from my fellow ‘haven mavens’, and I’ve seen a couple of posts/tweets about custom tote bags. Some mavens are even coordinating their bags with their blogs! What a fabulous idea!! Today I’m going to show you how easy it is to personalize a tote bag.
The other day, while I’m in my favorite store (TJMaxx), I’m getting in line and walking through the maze of all that good stuff they put there to tempt you. And I zip right past these tote bags! Glancing back over my shoulder, I instantly think one of them would be perfect to customize for the conference. Well, my mind takes off, and before I’m through the checkout, I have a plan!
Since Michael’s is very close by, I run in and purchase printable transfer sheets (using a 50% off coupon, I might add!). My plan is to re-create the photo banner on my business card, print it on the transfer paper and iron it on the tote. Before I know it, I’m planning embellishments and everything! So, here it is! How to personalize a tote bag, with step-by-step directions…
My cute {blank} canvas bag… $4.99
All the supplies:
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Canvas Tote Bag
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Printable Transfer Sheets (for Dark Fabrics)
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Paper trimmer or scissors
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Scissors (w/ decorative edge)
- Ribbon or Fabric Trim (I’m actually using a scrap I already had on hand!)
- Button(s) (same with the button…in my stash)
- Computer & Printer
- Iron
The only purchases are the bag and the transfer sheets. My total cost is $9.99 + tax!
Using online photo editing, I make a larger version of the photo collage, as well as a ‘nameplate’ for the front of my bag. Following the directions on the package, I print them out.
With a paper trimmer, I cut out the collage… and using decorative edge scissors, the nameplate. Laying the cut-outs on the bag, I try different placements.
When the placement looks good, I iron the transfers on per package directions (You can see the flat cookie sheet I slipped inside the bag! You have to apply quite a lot of pressure with the iron and you need a hard surface… NOT an ironing board!).
Time to embellish! I want to add fabric tape around the entire bag on either side of the nameplate, sort of like a belt, and add a large novelty button for a fake ‘closure’ (the bag has Velcro inside as a closure). And maybe sew the same tape around the photo collage as a ‘frame’. So I lay out the ‘belt’ and sew it on…
And I do decide to sew the same ribbon tape around the collage to frame it, mitering the corners.
After simply hand-sewing the button at the top, the bag is finished and ready for all the good stuff I’m sure to pick up at the Haven Conference!
Do you have a great idea for personalizing an everyday object?
Share it with me below!!
