This one isn't exactly new (I made it last year for a friend's bridal shower), but I have the pictures, so I decided to post it. We're a bit past bridal "season," but that doesn't mean this wouldn't work for any other kind of bag.
I started with a plain pre-made bag from Hobby Lobby, however paint & flowers can be applied to any existing bag. I like to repurpose those free bags you get at tradeshows! Some of those companies hand out great canvas bags for free - then I go & cover up their logos with artwork!
Anyways, back to the bridal bag...
I started with a plain pre-made bag from Hobby Lobby, however paint & flowers can be applied to any existing bag. I like to repurpose those free bags you get at tradeshows! Some of those companies hand out great canvas bags for free - then I go & cover up their logos with artwork!
Anyways, back to the bridal bag...
STEP 1: Start by cutting out circles. My circles for the flowers ranged from 1" to 2.5" in diameter. My organza yo-yo circles were 4"-5" in diameter. I used ivory satin scraps, white burlap scraps and sparkly champagne organza scraps for my circles. You can trace something round (like a glass) and can cut these by hand, or if it's worth investing in (& for me it is) - go get yourself a circle cutter! I use this technique all the time to make flowers, so I LOVE my Olfa circle cutter. It does poke a hole in the middle, so it's better for fabric than paper if you don't want holes in the center of your paper. It's also adjustable to make different sizes.
STEP 2: Burn the edges of your circles. Sorry, I didn't take a picture of this step, but basically you just need a candle. I use a pillar candle with an evenly melted surface (no deep wax walls). Then I use needle nose pliers to hold the small pieces while I gently touch the edges of the circle to the flame. For the larger circles, I'll drap the fabric over my scissors while they're splayed open & use that to hold the circle & rotate it around the flame. Yes, sometimes things catch on fire - that just gives it character :o) - keep a wet cloth around just in case.
Once all your circles are "edged" - stack them up large to small & put a little hand stitched "X" in the center to hold them in place. I also stacked some of my burlap & organza circles into my flower layers.
STEP 3: Paint some leaves on your bag. I used a cheapo foam stamp from the craft store and some turquoise acrylic craft paint. The reason you want to make your flowers (or at least your circles) before you paint is so that you can lay the flowers out on the bag to get the placement you like, then you can stamp your leaves accordingly.
STEP 4: Make some yo-yos out of large organza circles. (What the heck is a yo-yo? http://sewing.about.com/od/embellishment/ss/basicyoyo.htm) My organza circles were very large & I simply hand stitched a basting line about 1/2" in from the edge of the circle, then pulled it in to gather. I did not pull it in all the way, just enough so that when I placed the satin flowers on top of it, the basting thread didn't show.
STEP 5: Stack all your layers up & add some bling. I stacked my white burlap, then organza yo-yo, then my satin flower & hand stitched them together. Then I stiched a sparkley jewel in the center. Lastly, I hand stitched each flower to the bag. I didn't want the flowers to lift, or get caught on things, so I hand stitiched all the way around the bottom layer (the burlap in this case) in an "X" pattern.
Once all your circles are "edged" - stack them up large to small & put a little hand stitched "X" in the center to hold them in place. I also stacked some of my burlap & organza circles into my flower layers.
STEP 3: Paint some leaves on your bag. I used a cheapo foam stamp from the craft store and some turquoise acrylic craft paint. The reason you want to make your flowers (or at least your circles) before you paint is so that you can lay the flowers out on the bag to get the placement you like, then you can stamp your leaves accordingly.
STEP 4: Make some yo-yos out of large organza circles. (What the heck is a yo-yo? http://sewing.about.com/od/embellishment/ss/basicyoyo.htm) My organza circles were very large & I simply hand stitched a basting line about 1/2" in from the edge of the circle, then pulled it in to gather. I did not pull it in all the way, just enough so that when I placed the satin flowers on top of it, the basting thread didn't show.
STEP 5: Stack all your layers up & add some bling. I stacked my white burlap, then organza yo-yo, then my satin flower & hand stitched them together. Then I stiched a sparkley jewel in the center. Lastly, I hand stitched each flower to the bag. I didn't want the flowers to lift, or get caught on things, so I hand stitiched all the way around the bottom layer (the burlap in this case) in an "X" pattern.
Don't forget to make a faulous gift tag!
I stamped a piece of muslin & used some scraps of paper & left over jewels - glue or tape it all down, punch a hole, tie a string - done!
I stamped a piece of muslin & used some scraps of paper & left over jewels - glue or tape it all down, punch a hole, tie a string - done!