How to Make an Applicator Tote Bag

Tote bags are great for carrying around all the necessities of day-to-day life. Broadcast your creativity to everyone by designing an original appliqué to decorate the tote bag. Tote bags can be individualized by season, holiday, favorite item or favorite colors.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drawing paper
• Tote bag
• Contrasting material to create appliqué
• Wonder-Under or another type of fusible fiber
• Thread
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Pencil or pen
• Scissors

1. Iron fusible fiber to the back of appliqué fabric.

2. Create the design for your appliqué on a piece of paper. Cut the design out. Trace around the design on back side of desired appliqué fabric. Outline will be drawn directly on fusible fiber.

3. Cut the design from the appliqué fabric following the outline guide. Peel the backing off the fusible fiber.

4. Position the appliqué on your tote bag. Press it with a hot iron until the design adheres to the tote bag. Your iron should be set on a setting that does not include the steam function. Turn the tote bag inside out and press the backside of the appliqué to guarantee a good seal. Each side will need to be pressed for approximately 30 seconds. Turn your tote bag right side out again.

5. Use your sewing machine to zigzag around the outline of the appliqué design.

6. Create more complicated designs by repeating steps 1 through 4 with different colors or designs. After all appliqué pieces are ironed on your tote bag, zigzag around the edges of all pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to read the directions to adhere the correct side of fusible fiber to the appliqué.
• When zigzagging the appliqué into place, make sure to position the open end of your tote bag over the arm of sewing machine. This will avoid sewing the two sides of your tote bag together.