Happy Earth Day! Upcycle a Canvas tote!

 Hey quilter's...happy earth day! This is such a fun day seeing everyone's creativity recycling...upcycling and taking a part in preserving our country. I always get excited when my daughter sends pics of what the kiddos are creating at school. Well recently part of our Missouri Star Quilt company affiliate April program we received a MSQC canvas tote and Welcome to Quilt Town 10" precuts. Our challenge was to create a unique bag using the precuts. First of all may I say the prints and color hues on this new collection is super cute. The fabric was sew inspiring to decorate and turn a standard canvas bag into something unique. Of course I had to add one of my favorite quilting templates the "mini orange peel." Plus witht this fun design I was able to incorporate many prints from the collection. I love 10" precuts. It gives you cuts from the collection to create and design with. If you're limited in space like me this is a great space saver. too. I know sewing on a canvas bag can be a bit intimidating so I fused the leaves using MSQC double sided fusbible adhesive. I did have a bit of fun on the back of the bag using the fun fabric quotes. I love fabric that inspires creativity! I also made 2 pockets sewn on my Brother machine using 50# Aurifil thread and secured to inside of bag with double sided velcro dots. Again...super easy! This is such a fun project and would make a great project for the kiddos too. They can learn some sewing techniques and create a unique bag to tote their items for thier summer advaentures. I plan on taking mine to the lake for some rest and reading my Quilter's World magazines. I hope this project inspires you to create your own tote for carrying items to quilt guilds...summer adventures or the grocery store. Endless tote-a-bilities! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Upcycle a Canvas tote...

Here's all you need...

* Canvas Tote from MSQC

* Welcome to Quilt Town 10" precuts from MSQC

* MSQC Sew light fusible adhesive (double sided)

* MSQC Mini Peel Template

* Aurifil 50 weight thread # 3910

* No sew velcro dots

* Quilter's World magainze & Chuck! :-)

Here's all you do...

* Select 10" precuts as desired and subcut strips 2 x 10.

* Rotary cut fusible web to same size and fuse to wrong side of fabric strips following maufacturer's directions. 

* Using mini peel template trace on paper side of backing and cut out shapes.

* Fuse as desired on canvas tote following maufacturer's directions.

* Get creative and have fun :-)

For the back of canvas tote...

*  Select 10" printed squares as desired.

* Fuse MSQC fusible web in same method as above.

* Carefully cut out words and design as desired.

* Fuse to bag following manufacturer's directions. 

* Fun & easy!

Advanced option....creating inside pockets...

* Per each pocket,,,

* Select from your previous scraps two printed squares and sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance along sides and bottom only.

* Press a 1" fold to the wrong side of fabric on the top only and then fold again to secure the raw edge.

* Top stitch on right side to secure

* Turn right side out and press if needed.

Tip...I made a divider pocket by sewing a seam down center of pocket...do the same if you wish.

* Repeat same method for 2nd pocket.

* Position the dots on back side of pockets following manufacturer's directions and place as desired on inside of tote.

How fun...you just upcycled a ordinary canvas tote and personalized it to your needs!

Check back soon for more Fun...Fast & Fab projects,

Cat