Monday, September 13, 2010

Back to School Tote Bag!!


It's officially back to school time!

Time to back up those lunches, folders, homework and backpacks and send the kids off to school!

It's also time to put a plan together to keep things organized. Endless papers, library books, gym clothes not to mention the after school activities all challenge our ability to keep things neat and tidy!

Today's craft is perfect for organization at home and at school! Consider making this for a special teacher or for use around the home. The tote bag is perfect for many uses...and the glass jar...ideal for holding pencils, pens, markers and more. And a neat tip about the jar...the design can be changed out for the upcoming fall holidays!!





Back to School Tote Bag and Pencil Jar
Designer: Julia Sandvoss



Supply List:


Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro – Fabric Bond Adhesive
Glue Arts Car Accents – Razzle Dazzle Red, Goin Green
Various Fabrics, Thread and Felt
Fusible Web
Canvas Bag
Glass Jar
Stuffing or Poly Fill
Cricut Diecut System Locker Talk Cartridge 
Imaginisce I-top Tool and Buttons
Bo Bunny Buttons and Gems 


1. Start with the tote bag and select your apple diecut shape. I chose a diecut from the Cricut Locker Talk cartridge. Apply the fusible web to the fabric of your choice. Cut two apple shapes with your die cut system. 




2. Next using the Glue Arts Fabric Bond, apply the adhesive to the backside of one of the apple shapes. Iron the shape onto the canvas bag. Next hand sew or machine stitch the second apple over the bottom apple. Leaving an opening to add some stuffing inside before finishing. Hand cut the leaves and stem and sew those on. 


3. Hand cut or diecut two flowers. Apply the Fabric Bond to the backside of the flower and iron onto the bottom corners of the tote bag. Add hand stitching around the outside of the flower for interest.


4. Cut a 2 felt circles and two fabric circles of the same size. Layer one over the other and hand stitch onto the flower. By adding the felt layer this gives a bit of height and dimension to the flowers. Hand cut two felt leaves and stitch those onto the bag.






5. Next select some coordinating buttons and stitch those on the bag in sets of three around the flowers. Embellishments tend to balance best when they are used in odd numbers. 


6. Use the Imaginisce i-top tool to make several fabrics buttons. Instructions for this tool can be found on the Imaginisce site. www.imaginisce.com Then once made, hot glue the buttons onto the flowers. 


7. Machine sew the purchased trim and ribbon across the top of the bag. Add two additional fabric buttons. Finish off with a fun coordinating ribbon tied onto the handle!


8. For the glass jar use the Razzle Dazzle Red and Goin Green Car Accents. These vinyl sheets can be cut using your Cricut or diecut system. Cut the same apple shape once in red and once in green. Snip off the green leaf. Hand cut a small brown stem from cardstock. Layer the red vinyl apple, with the brown stem and green vinyl leaf and adhere the vinyl to your glass jar. 


9. Add one more fabric button using the i-top.


10. Fill the jar with beans, small stones or pebbles and add in pencils, colored pencils, paint brushes…the sky’s the limit. 


11. Last….present this to your teacher and wait for the smile!


I love this craft as a cute tote bag is always a great craft idea that also looks cute. The jar can be changed out with new decor for fall, Halloween and more!  

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