Upcycled Rice Bags into Dip-Dye Handbags!

Step 2:

2. Shake, measure and mix 2 Tbsp of Tangerine Dye (or Evening Blue -if you like) with 2 quarts of very hot 140˚F water. Stir to mix well. Holding the bag from either end dip ⅓ to ½ way into dye. Leave for a few minutes until the desired shade is achieved.

3. Remove from dye bath. Holding bag from the undyed end, rinse excess dye under running water until water runs clear. Let dry.

Step 3:

Here's a close-up of the Evening Blue. Love the texture of these bags!

You can stop there and have a great mini tote but we went for double color. So, back to the rubber gloves we go.

Step 4:

4. Shake, measure and mix 2 Tbsp of Fuchsia Dye with 2 quarts of very hot 140˚F water. Stir to mix well. Holding the bag from the undyed end, dip ⅓ to ½ way into dye. Leave for a few minutes until the desired shade is achieved. Note: you can dip to meet the first color and let them blend or leave a bit of undyed space between colors. It's totally up to you.


5. Remove from dye bath. Holding from the dry end, rinse excess dye under running water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent and let dry.

Step 5:

These are looking pretty cute, huh? You can rock them as-is but we wanted to make a cross-body bag using a nylon strap.

Step 6:

For the Cross-Body Bag:

1. Set up your dye station again as before. Shake, measure and mix 2 Tbs Evening Blue dye with 2 quarts of very hot 140˚F water. Stir to mix well. Dampen the 4' long nylon strap and add to dye bath. With your mixing spoon make sure to stir and keep the strap submerged in the dye bath for even dyeing. Leave in 5-10 minutes or until desired shade is achieved.

2. Rinse in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent and let dry.

Step 7:

3. With a ligher (or match) singe the edge of the cut nylon webbing to seal the raw edge.

Step 8:

4. Lay out strap on back of bag, trimming to desired length. Pin the strap to just the back surface of bag.

Step 9:

5. To attach strap, hand stitch to the back of the bag using secure stitches. We went a little decorative with embroidery floss using a back stitch.