The Case: Turn A Tote Into a Sack for School

They're "green", they're handy, and they're cheap. Nothing says school supplies like a good craft project.

For .99 cents I purchased this black canvas tote from a nearby superstore, and for the cost of some Fabric Mod Podge and the ink I used printing three pictures, I had a customized tote for everyday use.


Students, teachers, and laypeople alike will love this personalized project. In this case, I mixed a little business with pleasure and decided to make my tote the perfect School Supplies Sleuth Sack.

The idea is pretty self-explanatory:

(a) take your reusable canvas tote and lay it on a flat surface with a piece of paper inside to protect it from glue seeping through (I just used by ironing board without the padding)

(b) take items, whether cut-outs from magazines, patches, iron-on images, whatever, and pre-lay them across your tote to get an idea of the layout you'd like

(c) once you get them where you want them, take each piece and glue them in their respective places

* For paper to fabric (and all types for that matter), make sure you use an adhesive that is specially formulated to bind the two together- I used Fabric Mod Podge but you can find even cheaper solutions around

* If you are doing an iron-on transfer, read the directions carefully! I attempted to make mine first with an iron-on transfer, but realized mine was printed on translucent paper so it didn't show up on the black bag. But honestly, a good iron-on transfer is the simplest, most-effective, and durable of all types of tote decorating!

(d) let it dry

(e) If you went the paper or picture-to-fabric route and not the patches and iron-on route, make sure to make a clear coating of Mod Podge across the entire art area to protect it and make sure it stays in places

(f) let it dry

(g) admire your good work, and open the floor for compliments

Other notes:

1. Acrylic markers are great for decorating light-colored totes too, especially if you have a knack for drawing or painting.

2. Avoid "puff-paint", it always comes off!

3. Ribbon, buttons, and sequence are all examples of other materials you can use to decorate your tote, just make sure they're on there tight...

4. If the bottom is too flimsy for you, put a piece of sturdy cardboard at the bottom- I used the backing of an old legal pad I had lying around. If you really want a sturdy bag, most craft stores sell blank canvas totes for $5-$10.

Grocery bags don't make the best replacement for book bags, but I love them for packing a change of clothes for practice after school, using it at conferences (or Trick-or-Treating!) to house all the nick-knacks you come away with, carrying your ever-growing school supplies collections to and fro, or shamelessly promoting your blog. Whatever you utilize it for, make this practical pack personal.