In April, I had the chance to meet Jen Goode of 100Directions.com at SNAP! Following the conference, she reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in participating in a I Love the USA Blog Hop, co-hosted by her and Laura Kelly of LauraKellyDesigns.com. I thought that sounded like a ton of fun, so here we are. As a part of the theme, all of the participating bloggers were challenged to make a patriotic craft using the new fabric designed by Laura Kelly and available at Joann Stores. Sounds like fun, right? I’ll be sharing a couple patriotic totes using the darling doodle fabric from Laura. YAY!
Supplies include: Canvas Totes (size and colors optional), patriotic fabric, Coats and Clark thread, sewing machine, Fiskar scissors, and Fabri-Tac glue or a glue gun, and ribbon.
The first thing I did was measure and cut ribbon to sew onto the handles. I pinned in a couple places and removed as I was sewing. I did a single stitch in the middle, keeping it fairly simple.
I then cut long strips of fabric (different widths, this depends on the width of the tote bags you are using. Just be sure to double the length of the fabric. So, if your bag is 12″ in width, cut a 24″ strip of fabric for the ruffles). I used Laura’s fabric for the primary ruffle and a deep red fabric for the accent on the larger bag. I went with frayed edges, so if you don’t like that, you’ll want to hem all the fabric (or surge sew them).
I then moved over to the sewing machine and sewed the ruffle as I went along. I’m sure there are a hundred other ways to do this; however, I went with the easiest method that I was comfortable with — which was creating as I went {giggle}.
I sewed a straight line down the middle. Like I said, I kept it simple. Once the ruffles are sewn, I glued them to the bag. Voila!
The little blue bag I used Mod Podge Fabric to adhere the fabric star to the bag. We now have super cute AND super easy patriotic totes. I think the little totes would make fabulous little favors for the kiddos at you July 4th picnic. Fill it with sweets or a few kid-friendly firecrackers! All kinds of fabulous. If you’re hosting a fun patriotic themed party, be sure to make some patriotic paper flowers too!
Be sure to check out the other patriotic crafts in the hop too!
A special thanks to Laura and Jen for including me in this fun hop. An additional thanks to the partnering companies: General Fabrics, Plaid, Fiskars, Coats and Clark. Buttons Galore and More, Joann Stores, and Cre8Time.
Blessed to live in the land of the free and the brave!
Thanks for visiting with me! Happy Crafting!
I’ll be partying {here and here}.
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Char @DollDiaries says
So very cute! I love how you added the ruffle.
Sharon says
What fun totes! Great for the July 4th parade to hold all of the goodies. Thanks for the tip for making a pleated ruffle, too.
Laura Kelly says
I love these! Thank you for sharing your creativity using my new fabric. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!
Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says
This is so ADORABLE and FUN!!! Makes me want to go and make a USA bag 🙂
xoxo
Laura Bray says
Love the ruffles!
Tracy McLennon says
These totes ARE super cute!
Sarah @Craft Quickies says
I LOVE these! Especially the ruffle one! So fun!
Jen Goode says
I love how your tote bags turned out, the ruffle is so fabulous and the star cutout is so much fun! I will I’ll be up-cycling all those boring grocery bags now. Thanks so much for participating and sharing your creativity with us this week!
Allie says
Every patriotic craft I see, I want to make. I love your adorable tote and the ensemble items. VERY CUTE!
Jean Bullock says
Thanks for the great tutorial. I love the tote.
Tanya says
Kelly your flowers and tote bags turned out soooo cute! I will be checking out the hop for sure 🙂 Have a great week!
xo, Tanya
Cindy Eikenberg says
Kelly, these bags are adorable! They would make fantastic July 4th favors! Thanks for sharing.
capturing joy with kristen duke says
Love this,my friend!
Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says
Super cute fabric and the totes are such a fun idea … they’d be so cute sitting at each place setting on the 4th of July!
Eileen Hull says
Hi Kelly- I was Jen’s roommate at SNAP and think we met because I have your card 🙂 Cute projects! Love how you did the ruffle and the can of flowers is fun too. See you around!
TidyMom says
oh that’s adorable Kelly!
Heather says
Beautiful Kelly – I love all of the bright pops of color and pretty details!
Parrish (Life With The Crust Cut Off) says
This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party. We hope to see you there!
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
The fabric is totally cute! But, Kelly you rocked this one! Loved the pleated ruffles too. 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday Link Party!
Hope your weekend is extraordinary!