First thing is buy a canvas bag in the size you want, or you can make one. I actually bought this one, but I found canvas in cute colors at Walmart so the next ones will be made. You also need wool felt in the colors you want. OK...so you seam rip the bag open on the sides and turn it inside out.
Next trace a word or letter "backwards" on the inside of the bag. You do it backwards because it shows correctly on the front!! You can print something out or just get crazy and freehand it! Which is what I did. 
Then you pin 2 layers of wool felt to the front side. You only need them to be large enough to cover the word or letter you choose. I just did one initial for the 1st time. 
So then its kind of like tracing with your sewing machine...they said to use a special foot, but it worked fine with my plain old one, nothing fancy. (SORRY NO PICTURE) After you sew over the word you traced on the inside...you turn it right side out and remove your pins.
Next you first cut away the top felt, close to the seam about 1/8 an inch, I think smaller scissors would have been better but who knows where those are... I will have to check the dogs bed or the barbie box! Then you cut around the second layer 1/8 inch from the first cut!
And the finished project! I think it is pretty cute.. I would not choose such swirly letters next time; it was kind of hard to cut around. On the show they made simple flowers, words, names and initials. I have grand plans for my family!
6 comments:
This is a great idea! I love this...do you know if they have this on the Martha website?
They do have it on the wesite, under totebags. But the instructions are less specific. They do have some free printables for the leftover felt.
Hi Trisha,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. That is an ADORABLE tote bag!!! I LOVE it!!! It doesn't sound to complicated either....I don't really sew but I do have a little sewing machine....this is another project I think I will have to put in my blog-projects file!! Thanks for showing us.
It was nice meeting you and I'll be back!
That is adorable! I love the way you did your M...great job! cherry
First of all...that turned out adorable. Your friend will be thrilled! Second...you'll never believe this but I did a tutorial just last night on how to make purses (shaped like the one you used) out of cute placemats. You'll have to come take a peek. : )
M.L.
Hi Trisha,
If you go to my very 1st post of 'Elegant pumpkins' I have a link you can go to for the tutorial we used.
The only thing I can add to her tutorial is that on the bottom of ours we just sewed it up straight across. Then, we folded it just like the bottom of a brown paper bag and tacked the two points down. That way they had a stable bottom to sit on. Good luck...let me know if you have any more questions. : )
M.L.
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