Market bag, lunch bag, knitting bag, beach bag, travel bag—it doesn’t matter what you decide to use this hand-painted canvas bag for because no matter what you choose, it’s a gorgeous way to replace single use plastic bags with artistic flare. This project will show you some simple ways to brighten up reusable market bags with brilliant colour and permanent paint. Since these bags are meant to be used, and reused, the fabric paint is washable. Setting the paint using high heat will ensure that the design you create will keep on blooming even if you use it every day.

Reusable Bags for the Earth

I know you already know about the giant garbage island in the middle of the ocean. Perhaps you also live in one of those fabulous cities that have banned single-use plastic bags from grocery stores. Either way, I hope that, like me, you have a bunch of reusable grocery bags that you take with you when you go shopping or to the market. BUT, the one thing that nobody is talking about that reusable shopping bags don’t have to be ugly!

Sure, you probably have a favorite bag that’s the exact right size and shape for your needs. It’s probably got some company logo on it that doesn’t really mean anything to you. Yeah, I’ve got that bag too. Here’s the thing: when I pull out hand-painted bag politely say to the cashier, “No thanks, I’ve got my own bag.” I’m inevitably greeted with a smile and a warm compliment about how pretty it is. It might not seem like it’s something that’s very important in the grand scheme of things, but frankly if my brightly-colored painted flowers can make someone smile then maybe it does make an impact. Painting my own market totes is sure is a lot of fun too.

Crafting is Therapy

Fabric Paint

Here are a few different paints that I like:

• Pebeo Setacolor Light Fabrics Paint Set, Cardboard Box of 10 Assorted 
• Pebeo Setacolor Opaque Discovery set of 12 Assorted 20ml Fabric Paint Colors
• Fabric Markers with Chisel Point and Fine Point Tips

How to Make a Hand Painted Market Tote Bag

There are a few different ways you can create your images: freehand, stencil, or masking. Freehand drawing allows you to have a complete creative license with the design that you have chosen. Swirly lines, animals and birds, leaves, and botanical elements all have flare when created by hand.

If freehand is not your style, you can use a variety of different stencils. Use letter stencils to spell out a word or phrase. Or choose a stencil of an object you would like to paint. Masking is to block off part of the canvas to create a guide for the paint. Use pieces of masking tape to create shapes on the canvas and paint in between with different colors to create a modern, graphic design.

Materials

• Cotton canvas market bag
• Fabric paint pens
• Fabric paint
• Paintbrushes
• Iron or heat press

Make it!

For all of my designs, I start with a freehand design using a fabric pen. You can look for inspiration online, in nature, or in a adult colouring book.

Next, use fabric paints to fill in parts of the design.

You an always switch back to the fabric pens again to add more detail.

Once the paint is dry, set them with an iron or a heat press. Use the hottest setting and iron each part of the design for 10 minutes. I will admit, that 10 minutes of ironing seems like an eternity. Since I make a lot of fabric painted or iron on vinyl projects, I got a Cricut EasyPress as a Christmas gift last year and it makes the whole ironing part a whole lot easier. The large base and high heat allows you to set the pain in just 30 seconds!  Either way, take the time to properly set the design. This will ensure that you can wash the canvas bag according to the directions on the fabric paint and your creation will stay beautiful!

Make yourself a few extra bags so you can wrap presents with them as gifts this year as well. You could also fill them with groceries and bring them to some new parents or an ailing friend. Any way you use them, they will brighten up someone’s day!

More Creative Craft Projects for a Rainy Day

• Add a Touch of Whimsy to Your Terrariums with DIY Clay Mushrooms
• Hand-Stamped Fabric Napkins for Christmas
• Herbal Dream Pillows: Aromatherapy for the Restful Sleep You Need
• Natural Flower Dye for Fabric: How to Create a Marigold-Dyed Scarf
• Creative Upcycling with DIY Seed Catalog Magnets
• These Soft and Cuddly Felt Cacti Will Make You Smile