How to Make Canvas Three-Color Handbags

A canvas, three-color handbag can be used as a gym bag, a book bag, a casual purse, a shopping bag, a beach bag or even a diaper bag.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two 19-by-19 inch squares of light-colored canvas fabric
• One 7-by-57 inch rectangle of dark-colored canvas fabric
• Two 3-by-18 inch rectangles of dark-colored canvas fabric
• Spool of strong thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Fabric paint markers, non heat-set
• Wax paper
• Smock
• Yardstick

Sewing the bag

1. Sew a 1/4-inch hem on each edge of all the squares and rectangles of fabric. The light fabric will be the large face of the handbag and the dark fabric will be the two skinny sides and the bottom of the bag.

2. Sew three edges of one square of light-colored fabric to one edge of the large dark-colored piece of fabric. Keep both hems on the outside of the bag. You will turn the bag inside out once it is complete. Run the fabric through the sewing machine at least twice to reinforce your seam and strengthen your handbag.

3. Sew three edges of the other square of light-colored fabric to the other edge of the large dark-colored piece of fabric. The dark fabric should be in the shape of a "U" with a soft square bottom. All hems should be on the outside. Always reinforce your seams. If any side of the bag is too long, simply hem it until it is even with the rest of the sides.

4. The last two strips of dark fabric will be the handles. Fold one long edge of one small dark-colored canvas strip over so that it rests about two thirds of the way across the fabric. Fold the other long edge of the fabric strip down on top of the first edge. Sew the second edge down so that the two edges are attached securely to the edge of the strip.

5. Sew the skinny ends of the handle onto the top edge of the first light-colored square by sewing a square with an "X" in it to make sure the handle is firmly attached. Reinforce this seam as well. Make the other handle the same way, and sew it onto the other light-colored square.

6. The bag is now completely sewn. Turn it inside out so that all the hems are inside the bag.

Adding the Third Color to the Tri-Color Canvas Handbag

7. Put on your smock to keep your clothes free of paint. Line the handbag with wax paper to keep the paint from leaking through and staining the other side of the bag.

8. Lay the handbag flat on your work surface. Follow the directions on your paint marker to prime it (all paint markers are different).

9. Draw freehand whatever design you like on your bag in one color, or use a stencil to trace a design. Use a yardstick to keep your lines straight if writing a message. Using one color of paint on the two colors of canvas will make this bag a true three-colored handbag. It will also help keep the design simple.

10. Let the paint dry completely, then turn the bag over and draw on the other side of the bag if you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose three colors that you wear often in casual clothing. Draw or write something simple on your bag so you can repeat it on the other side easily.
• Always use caution with a sewing machine. Test the strength of your bag before filling it with anything heavy and breakable by filling it with something equally heavy that's not breakable.