B.Inspired, Mama!: DIY Tote Bag with UPrinting Canvas Applique

Last week I was thrilled to be offered a 16” x 20” rolled canvas print from UPrinting for review. First of all, I was so impressed with the UPrinting website and the ease of the ordering process. The instant price calculator was particularly cool. And check out that price – UPrinting canvas prints – nearly half the price of a stretched canvas and easier to store, transport, and CRAFT with!

I wasn’t really interested in printing the typical family photo for the living room wall. Instead I had my blog logo printed so that I could be creative with it. I really wanted to sew a DIY tote bag to market my blog wherever I go!

When my rolled canvas print arrived, rolled up safely in a sturdy triangular box, I was super-impressed with the print quality – bright and crisp. And the canvas was just as thick and sturdy as any I’ve used in my art school and teaching days. It would have been great as-is for clipping up as a sign at a conference or craft show booth, but I had something more fun in mind…

A DIY Tote Bag with Printed Canvas Logo

Here’s what I used:

my rolled canvas print trimmed (with pinking shears) to 16.5” square
2 pieces of fabric (I used a flannel-backed tablecloth, but I wish I’d used a stronger cotton fabric) cut 23” x 25”
2 pieces of fabric cut 4” x 30”
pins
rotary cutter and cutting mat or fabric scissors
thread
sewing machine

Here’s what I did:

Center your canvas print on the right side of one of the large fabric rectangles and pin in place.
Sew 1/4” in around all edges of the canvas print with a straight or zigzag stitch. Now your print is appliqued on the front of one of the large fabric rectangles.
Pin both large fabric rectangle right sides together.
Sew (with 1/4” seam allowance) around both long sides and bottom edge with a straight stitch.
Open up the bag (still inside out) and squeeze the bottom corner together, lining up the side seam with the bottom seam, to make a point (see photo above).
Measure 3 inches down from the tip of the point and pin across to make the shape of a triangle.
Sew across the triangle with a straight stitch.
Trim the corner triangle off, leaving a 1/4” seam allowance. This should have made a box-type corner on the bottom of one side of your bag.
Repeat steps 5 through 8 on the other corner of the bag. (Hint: use the trimmed off triangle from the first corner to measure where to sew this one!)
Turn the bag right side out and check out your awesome boxed bottom!
Fold the top 1” of the bag in and pin in place.
Sew all the way around the top edge of the bag with a decorative zigzag stitch.
To make the straps, fold the 4” x 30” fabric, right sides together, lengthwise and pin.
Sew along the long length with a straight stitch and a 1/4” seam allowance. This will have made a long tube of fabric.
Pin a safety pin to one end and thread it down through the tube to turn it right side out.
Turn about a 1/2” of each end in on itself to make a clean edge.
Pin the ends of the strap about 15 inches apart and about 3 inches down from the the top edge of the bag.
Use a straight stitch and 1/8” seam allowance to sew a rectangle around where the strap overlaps the top edge of the bag. (You can also sew an “X” inside the rectangle to further reinforce the strap attachment.)
Repeat steps 13 through 18 with the other 4” x 30” fabric to make a second strap.
Enjoy your DIY tote bag!