Project by Jen Thario from Denver, Colo.
Jen prints digital images onto canvas sheets with an inkjet printer. These sheets are then sewn into funky little handbags.
Materials:
canvas sheets
clear spray paint sealer
fabric
ribbons
snap closure
grommets
aluminum (armature) wire
sewing machine
inkjet printer
grommet pliers
round-nose pliers
scissors
wood ruler or bone folder
two large jump rings
Steps:
- Select a piece of artwork or photos to print onto the canvas sheets. Each purse is made of two sheets. Using a graphics program, make any modifications to the image and size the art to the canvas and then print it out.
- Hang the canvas sheets on a clothesline and spray it with a clear sealer or fixative. Let the images hang and dry for a couple of hours.
- Depending on the pattern, cut the canvas to fit, if necessary.
- Using the edge of a wood ruler or a bone folder, prefold all the seams and crease them. The canvas is stiff and works best if it is prefolded and topstitched.
- Sew the fabric into a long tube. The width of the tube will be the width of the bag. Turn it right side out and topstitch one end.
- Sew the top and exposed edge seams of the canvas sheets.
- Put it all together, and topstitch the seams around the exterior of the bag.
- Add the grommets and snap closure. Figure out where the strap will attach, and using grommet pliers, punch holes into the canvas.
- Place a grommet in each hole and set them with pliers.
- Use the grommet pliers again to set a snap closure on each side of the bag.
- For the strap, cut two equal lengths of ribbon and stitch or embroider them together, folding over the ends and leaving enough room to slide the jump ring through to attach it to the bag.
- Slide two large jump rings through the grommet holes and attach the strap. The bag is ready for a night on the town!
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