Pocketful of Posies Floral Painted Tote

Unique purses and tote bags are all the rage these days. This project features painting techniques you can use to make your own, one of a kind tote bag or purse using a purchased tote bag or one of the fun patterns on the market today. The design includes a pocket "flower pot" that is made from a colorful print fabric. Coordinating flowers are stamped above the pocket and stems and leaves are painted by hand, extending into the space underneath the pocket. Another option would be to make a solid-colored pocket and paint it to coordinate with stamped or painted flowers.

Materials

canvas tote bag 14" x 13" x 3"
1/4 yard or scraps cotton print fabric for the pocket (two layers)
Jacquard Textile Colors: true red, yellow, goldenrod, fluorescent green
Jacquard Neopaque paints: blue, white *
paint brushes: 1" foam brush, 1/4" and 1/2" flat, #3 and #2 rounds
flower stamp (or paint by hand)
cardboard to fit inside tote
template for "flower pot" pocket **

* Note: If painting a medium- to dark-colored tote, use Jacquard Neopaque and Lumiere Paints.

Steps:

1. Following manufacturer's directions, wash tote bag to remove sizing. Press with iron while slightly damp before the next step.

2. Cut two layers of print fabric for the side pocket (figure A).

3. Pin pocket pieces together with right sides together and sew all around the edge with a 1/2-inch seam, leaving a 2-inch opening for turning (figure B).

4. Clip corners and turn pocket right side out. Press with iron.

5. Center pocket on side of the tote, allowing enough room for the flowers, stems and leaves to be painted above (figure C).

6. Sew pocket to tote bag. Note: A sewing machine with a free-arm feature is recommended for this step. Another option is to sew it on by hand.

7. For the painting: Cut a piece of cardboard to fit the inside of the tote bag before painting.

8. Apply red textile color to flower stamp and apply to the center area above the pocket. Re-apply paint to the stamp two more times to add additional flowers to the right and left of the center flower (figure D).

Note: Allow paint to dry before adding color next to it or layering color.

9. With the #3 round brush, paint the flower center with the yellow textile color (figure E).

10. Use the #2 round brush to paint the flower stems with fluorescent green textile color, extending the stems 1 inch or so underneath the pocket (figure F).

11. Paint leaves the same color using the 1/4-inch flat brush (figure G).

12. Paint goldenrod yellow dots around the flower petals with the #3 round brush (figure H).

13. Mix Neopaque blue and white paints to create a light blue color to paint the swirls in the flower centers with the #2 round brush (figure I).

14. With the 1/2-inch flat brush, paint red checks around the top edge of the tote. Using the #3 round brush, paint light blue dots between the red checks.

15. Use the same brush to paint yellow dots below the checks and dots at the upper edge of the tote (figure J).

16. Following manufacturer's instructions, allow paints to cure and heat set before using.