Sharon McKeeman Blog » Blog

Remember this market bag? I am giving it away today to celebrate lovely bud reaching 150 followers. Random.org picked 72, which makes aimymichelle the winner! Don't worry if you didn't win I will be giving another one to a follower when lovely bud reaches 200. Check out mu current Give Away in my sidebar! And here is a tutorial showing you how to make one yourself! Gather up the supplies pictured below – the ones with * beside them are optional (you will also need a disappearing ink fabric marker)

 

Draw a curve on each of the bottom corners of your t-shirt. Tracing a large bowl is the easiest way. Then cut along the lines so you have a nice round bottom for your bag.

Next draw a tank top shape on the top of your t-shirt. You can trace a tank top or just draw how you would like the straps of your bag to look.

Then cut the along these lines to remove the t-shirt's sleeves and neckline. You can fold the t-shirt in half and cut both sides at the same time to make sure they are symmetrical.

Pin the bottom of your bag shape together…

then flip the t-shirt inside out so that the right sides are together and sew the bottom shut.

 

There are several ways to print designs onto your bag. If you would like to make a linoleum block print for your bag you can get linoleum, carving tools and an inking brayer from some Micheal's stores, your local art supply store or Jerry's Artarama. You can draw a design freehand or use carbon paper to copy a photo onto the block. Then just carve away the areas that you do not want to be visible.

 

Next put some fabric paint on an old plate or a palette and roll it out evenly with your brayer. Roll the brayer across your block print to apply the paint. Then press the block print onto the fabric to print your design.

An even easier way to print a simple design is to cut out pieces of foam and adhere them to a piece of cardboard to make a custom stamp. You can get the rubber at Walmart or any craft store. I just applied the fabric paint with a brush and stamped this flower over top of my block print.

If you don't feel like making designs from scratch you can use pre-made stamps. Apply the fabric paint to your stamps with a brush or roll it on and have fun! Any of these methods can be used alone or together.

 

While the paint is drying cut three squares of varying sizes out of scraps of cloth. If you use pinking shears the edges won't fray.

Layer the squares on top of each other and make wide stitches through the middle of them. As you make each stitch pull it tight so that it gathers the fabric together into a flower shape. Then stitch it onto your bag wherever you like. You could even make several flowers.

Now you have a bag ready for filling with fresh fruit and vegetables from this summer's farmer's market! I bet you could even carry a book and some snacks and such to the beach or pool in it – I doubt it would mind:)

I have some more fun market bag ides to share with you soon and remember I am Giving Away This Bag to celebrate when lovely bud reaches 200 followers! All you have to do to win it is sign in to the Google Friend Connect widget in my sidebar. (I haven't finished the ballerina series so the artwork will have to wait for a later giveaway)

If you make a bag please share some lovely photos of it in the lovely bud Flickr pool and click here to check out the link ups I share my projects with.