How to Make Personalized Tote Bags for Gifts

Turn a plain canvas tote into a personalized bag for a gift.

When you want to make personalized tote bags for gifts, think about the personalities of the recipients. Tailor the tote to a person's likes and interests. For an elegant look, personalize the bag with a simple monogram. For a glam look, go with jewels and feather boas for decorations. Personalize a tote with photos and text when giving them to moms or grandmothers. Use simple text and clip art to delineate the use of the tote gift, such as a bag to tote cheerleading gear. Just focus on the person and create a tote to fit her needs.

Things You'll Need

• Plain canvas tote bag
• Stencil
• Fabric paint
• Masking tape
• Hot glue gun
• Plastic jewels and sequins
• Feather boa
• Iron-on fabric transfer

Instructions

Simple Monogram

1. Buy a plain canvas tote, upper case alphabet stencils in two sizes, fabric paint and paint brushes at a craft store.

2. Lay the tote flat on a table.

3. Select the stencils for the monogram. Choose a large upper case letter for the center of the monogram, based on the first initial of the person's last name. Select two small upper case letters for either side of the monogram, based on the first initials of the person's first and middle names.

4. Use masking tape to secure the monogram where you would like it on the tote.

5. Paint the inside of the stencils with fabric paint. Then carefully remove the stencils. When dry, place a fabric napkin on top of the monogram and iron the napkin to help set the paint with heat.

Glam Tote

1. Buy a plain canvas tote bag, plastic jewels, sequins and feather boas from a craft store.

2. Lay the tote flat on a table.

3. Lay out the decorations on the tote bag in the pattern you want.

4. Use a hot glue gun to secure the decorations onto the tote bag.

Photo Tote

1. Buy a plain canvas tote bag and iron-on transfer paper at a craft store.

2. Create a design on your computer using the photo you would like to place on the tote bag and some text, such as a photo of grandchildren and the words, "Proud Grandma."

3. Print out your design onto plain paper to check that you like it, then print the design onto iron-on fabric transfer paper.

4. Iron the fabric transfer onto the tote by following the directions on the package.

Cheer Tote

1. Buy a plain tote bag and iron-on fabric transfer paper at a craft store.

2. Use your computer to print out clip art and text onto iron-on transfer paper, including the school name, the team name, the team mascot and cheer symbols such as pom poms and a megaphone.

3. Cut out the iron-on fabric transfer text and symbols you wish to place on the tote.

4. Lay the tote bag flat on a table and place the iron-on transfers in the pattern you desire.

5. Follow the directions for the iron-on transfers to secure the designs onto the tote bag.

References

• Michaels: FAQ's about Fabric Painting
• Hewlett Packard: Print Your Own Iron On Transfers