One of the best things about using eco-friendly bags is being able to make them a part of your arts and crafts projects. You can find plenty of ways to recycling your paper bags in a crafty fashion, and you can also add your own personal touch to cotton tote bags. If you have a few lying around the house, why not give them a new lease of life with your own original touch?
It’s easier than you might expect. You’ll find a great range of fabric paints at your local arts and crafts shop, and you can also sew on anything from embroidery to buttons. If you can’t find fabric paint, you can use acrylics, oils, or watercolours.
Firstly, pick the perfect tote bag from the ones you have available. It’s best to use a plain bag at first. Try to get one of medium size, and make sure it isn’t too wrinkled or crumpled – this makes the painting process much more difficult. Before you begin, lightly iron the bag to get it as smooth as possible, then pin each corner down so it stays stretched as you paint.
Extend the handles out if you don’t want them painted. If you only want one side of the tote bag to be painted, remember to insert a sheet of plastic or thin cardboard to ensure colours don’t transfer from one side to the other.
You’re now ready to start painting, and you might be tempted to simply freestyle your way to a new bag. However, you might want to think about adopting more of a ‘paint by numbers’ approach if this is your first time. Cut tracing paper to the size of the bag, then use it to create a stencil – you can also use a pencil to draw light lines on the bag itself.
Once you’re done, give the bag plenty of time to dry before moving or using it.
