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Decorate a Canvas Bag with Fabric in Three Steps
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5 from 1 vote

Decorate a Canvas Bag

Learn how to decorate a canvas tote with Mod Podge and fabric. This is a very easy project for beginners!
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time45 minutes
Dry Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 55 minutes
Yield: 1 bag
Cost: $5

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Prewash and dry both the tote and decorative fabric.
  • Brush a coat of Mod Podge over the section of fabric you plan to use. Let dry.
    Placing a layer of Mod Podge on the front of some beachy fabric
  • Using a ruler and the cutting mat, clean and square up the fabric edges to be the exact size you need to cover the side of the tote. Cut approximately 1” strips from that square. The Mod Podge you applied before should make the fabric easy to cut without fraying.
    Cutting fabric into strips with a rotary cutter
  • Brush a layer of Mod Podge on the back of the top strip and smooth onto the tote. Let dry.
    Painting strips of fabric with Fabric Mod Podge and attaching them to a canvas tote
  • Repeat applying Mod Podge to the strips and smoothing onto the tote, spacing the strips out evenly to recreate the design. Make sure to get the edges well.
  • Let dry, then brush a layer of Mod Podge over the top of each strip. Let dry completely before for laundering.

Notes

Step 4: To add a little variation, you can also gently stagger each strip so the scene does not line up perfectly. It’s up to you.
Step 5: After the bag is completely dry, go back and check all the fabric edges. You don't want any exposed. Touch up if necessary.