Canyon Bouquet Tote Bag
INTERMEDIATE
1 hour
There is nothing better than fresh flowers, but transporting them in a regular supermarket bag can be a bit cumbersome. This DIY solution makes toting around flowers as cute as it is easy. A simple ribbon sewn on the back keeps everything in place. It’s so fun and easy to make -and an excellent handmade touch when bringing flowers to a friend.
Supplies
- Rit All Purpose Dye in Canyon
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
- PVA Glue (Elmers)
- Cotton tote bag
- 12” Ribbon
- Sewing machine
- Tub with warm water
- Washing machine
- Rubber gloves
- Cardboard scraps
- Scissors or Rotary blade
- Chalk
- Ruler
Instructions
- Once dry, place a piece of cardboard inside of your tote to keep the glue from bleeding through and sticking to the back side.
- Before you begin, wash the cotton tote and lay it flat to dry to get as many wrinkles out as possible.
- Use the PVA glue as a resist to create your design, then let it dry completely before dying the fabric.
- Wearing rubber gloves, fill a large container with 1-2 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
- Add 1/2 cup of Canyon All-Purpose Liquid Dye into Dyebath, 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 tsp of dish soap.
- Add ½ cup of well-shaken Canyon dye or color of choice into dyebath.
- To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent to help promote level dyeing. Stir well.
- Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
- Immerse bag in dyebath. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
- Use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing to enhance the color and reduce bleeding. Follow package instructions.
- Rinse in cold water until rinse water begins to run clear. Then
- Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.
- Once dry, flip the bag inside out and chalk a diagonal line from each of the top corners to the bottom middle of the bag, creating a “v” shape.
- Following the chalk line, stitch down both sides, then trim off the outer edges to create an upside down triangle.
- Trim off the bottom point of the triangle to create an opening so the stems can go out through the bottom of the bag, then hem the edges for a finished look.
- Cut a ribbon to a 12”-16” length and attach it at the middle of the back of the tote.
- (Optional) For a really long, comfortable strap, cut the right side of the front strap, and the left side of the back strap, then knot the two lengths together at the top. This will double the length of the strap, making it easier for flowers to hang at your side while walking.
