How to Decorate a Ballet Tote

A plain canvas bag with a zipper is an ideal ballet bag for this DIY project.

Stamps, ink, fabric paint, brushes and even some glitter are essential tools for decorating your ballet tote. Stamps and fabric paint are the easiest ways of decorating your ballet tote. Stamps in an assortment of images, such as dancers and ballet shoes, and stamp ink and paint in ballet-centric colors such as pink, red, white, silver and gold will make your bag ballet worthy.

Things You'll Need

• Tote bag - plain, canvas is ideal
• Stamps - dance-themed (dancers, ballet shoes, dancing couples)
• Ink
• Paint for crafts
• Paint brushes for crafting projects (smaller bristled are ideal)
• Glitter (as desired)
• Crafting glue

Instructions

1. Lay your clean canvas bag on a clean surface. Plan a design for your stamps and sketch it on paper -- this will help you remain error free when working with the bag. You can even do a rough draft, stamps and all, but you may waste ink; only do this if you are worried about how your final product will look.

2. Place a stamp in ink and stamp it firmly on the bag. An image of ballet shoes, a dancer or a couple dancing a pas de deux -- any of these images will work from your stamp collection. Continue this process, with different stamps, until you have created your own dance-inspired funky collage. Let this side dry thoroughly before turning it over to begin the paint side.

3. Paint words, using stencils, on the other side of the bag using your fabric paint. Phrases such as "Love for Dance", "Budding Ballerina" and "Dance Rocks" will let you show off your dance-related love on your ballet bag. Let the paint dry thoroughly.

References

• "The Stamp Artist's Project Book: 85 Projects to Make and Decorate"; Sharilyn Miller; 2001