Customised bags

Hi from Jo!

I saw some gorgeous decorated cotton shopping bags on a friend's blog and decided to have a go myself using items I had left over from my cross-stitching and sewing days (before papercrafting took over my life!)

I started with some cheap cotton bags like this:

 

For my first bag I used some stamps and Stazon ink to stamp flower designs on the bag then attached buttons as the flower heads. I then sewed a length of ribbon along three-quarters of the bottom of the bag. Here's a photo of the detail:

 

For the next bag I used a piece of digital scrapbooking art as inspiration and drew the design on the bag with pencil before using stranded cotton to backstitch the design. I then used sequins and beads to highlight bits of the design:

 

And here's a photo of the finished item:

 

I've already given one of these as a gift and the one above is earmarked for another with another 3 in the pipeline! I'll be using more of my stranded cotton, buttons, ribbons, beads and sequins and, if I can dig my sewing machine out, some of the fabric scraps I've been hoarding.

Maybe it's something you may like to do yourself?

 

Comments

[Kirsty]

great post! I want to do one x

[Sue-Bubbles]

I am crazy about buttons, so I will definitely have to have a play at this project! Your bags are fab, thank you for sharing!
Sue x

[Helen]

That is a lovely idea :)

[Barb (aka Craft Junkie)]

Awesome idea and yours are so cute...you could even dye the bags if you want some extra color to it, too. You've got my wheels turning now! lol
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

[Suzanne]

Those bags are gorgeous Jo! Love the handstitching, wow!