With most shops these days moving away from plastic bags. It’s always handy to have a soft cotton bag rolled up in your handbag. Just in case you get caught at the checkout. I mean yes you can buy one but to me, that really defeats the point of getting rid of plastic bags! So after finding some plain reusable cotton bags, I thought they could do with a bit of a spruce up. Also, this project happens to be perfect for the “cotton” theme Int’l Bloggers Club which I’m super excited about joining for the very first time! Sharing how to stencil a Farmhouse Cotton Bag.
How to Stencil a Farmhouse Cotton Bag
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Supplies needed:
- Cotton Bag
- Fusion Mineral Paint – Coal Black Sample
- Foam Wedge
- Old plate or tile
- 1 x Thick piece of cardboard that fits inside your bag
- Farmhouse Style Stencil – I made this stencil from vinyl but this Farm to Table Stencil would also do the trick or any design that you like.
- Painters Tape
Step 1 – If you’re using a vinyl style stencil peel away the backing paper and apply your stencil to the cotton bag. If you’re using another stencil adhere to your bag using painters tape. This prevents your stencil from moving about. Pop the scrap bit of cardboard inside your bag. This will prevent the paint from seeping through to the back of the bag.
Step 2 – Pop out some paint onto your old plate or tile. Then using your foam wedge dab one corner into the paint. then pounce the foam wedge onto the plate or old tile a few times to get rid of excess paint. Then start pouncing the paint onto your stencil. If your right handed go left to right and vice versa if you’re left-handed. This prevents any smudging. Go light rather than heavy because it’s easier to go over a second time if a little light on rather than heavy to begin with.
Step 3 – Let completely dry. Remove your stencil.
And there you have a fun way to dress up a plain old cotton shopping bag to pop in your handbag or leave in your car!
Be sure to check out below all of the other fun cotton projects below from my sweet blogging pals from all over the world!
Happy Stenciling!
Don’t have time to make now? Be sure to PIN for later!
20 comments
Darn it. Do you know that this is the first time I’ve heard of pouncing left to right if you’re right handed to prevent smudging. Go figure. That may be why my stencils never ever come out nicely 😀 So happy you’re part of the Int’l Bloggers Club and love how your bag turned out Sam. They do come in so handy
I’m so happy to be joining you all Michelle! Thank you so much having me!
What a great and easy way to create a beautiful tote bag!! Stencils are so versatile aren’t they? I absolutely love this idea!!
Oh, are they ever Evija!! So many possibilities and fun things to make!!
I love the idea of having a customized one-of-a-kind reusable bag in my purse. Your farmhouse style bag is adorable! I so hope Santa FINALLY brings me a die cut machine this year so I can make my own stencils like you did.
Oh Marie! You will have a ball with it!! I’m sure Santa has you on his good list and you will be hooked like me!
Hello, my friend, the minute I saw your post in the link up I knew it was yours. Your work always has a clean and pretty look that is distinctly yours.
This is a great little bag for the farmer’s market. I like the idea of keeping the bag separate just for food and your stenciling is just what it needs.
Aww, thank you so much, Leanna! That’s so sweet very sweet of you. They sure are handy bags to have just in case! I’m not sure where you are but we have to pay for our shopping bags now in order to stamp out plastic bags.
What a fabulous idea Sam, I agree, plastic bags should just go away. Your cotton tote is so beautiful and you can easily carry it in your purse when not used. Or hang it up on the wall cause it’s just too pretty to be stored away.
Thank you, Katrin! They sure are so handy to have!!
Sam I’d be more than happy to tote that bag around with me at the market! It came out great and looks so farmhouse stylish!
Thank you so much, Mary!
Love this Sam! It is so cute!
Thank you so much, Deborah!
A very cute bag and it looks so easy! Thanks for the tutorial, Sam!
So glad you like it, Carol! Thank you!!
I love your bag, Sam! Love how crisp the letters are, I am scared of trying vinyl with my Cameo but after seeing your bag I think it’s time to overcome it. I always use fabric bags when I go shopping.
Oh you will become so addicted Pili!!
Hi Sam,
I am painting on a canvas bag, and I did a sample and some of the paint bled through the edges. I made the stencil from vinyl stencil, pressed and repressed all my edges over and over with my fingers and with a flat edge. I also painted a layer of midge podge first. What do you suppose I am doing wrong.
Hi there Cecile,
Thank you so much for your awesome question!
I would try it without the Mod Podge first as this will be creating a seal over your fabric and not allowing the paint to settle into the fabric properly. Also pounce your foam wedge to remove most of the paint and go light with the paint. You can always go back with another light coat if you think it is to light once it dries.
I hope that all makes sense! Please let me know how you go!!