Make a Statement! Decorate a Custom DIY Bag With Fabric Painted Letters

Going to a rally? Marching this weekend? Celebrating something? Promoting your charitable cause? Whatever you are doing, make a custom tote bag with hand painted letters that delivers your message! This DIY bag can be made quickly and inexpensively, and will really reflect your creativity. Customize message, fonts, colors, size; add decorative elements as desired.

Make a Statement With This DIY Hand Lettered Bag

Painting on fabric not only results in a cool screen-printed look, but it’s also really fun! You can also make t-shirts, and so much more. To make your painted fabric last longer, you’ll want to add textile medium to the paint. This will allow the paint to go through the washing machine!

Materials Needed

• Pencil
• Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Textile Medium
• Plain Fabric Tote Bag
• Cardboard
• Iron

Step 1

Start by ironing your tote so that the surface is smooth. Then use a pencil to sketch  the words or letters lightly onto the front of the tote. I lettered the word “smile” in many different languages.

Step 2

Next, line the inside of the bag with a piece of cardboard to prevent paint from bleeding through.

Step 3

Then, prep your acrylic paint by adding textile medium and mixing it in.

Step 4

Then the fun part–start painting! This example switched between two colors to give the words dimension. Note how the varied lettering styles highlight the different languages.  You can use whatever effect you like to express your message.

Step 5

After you are done with the main letters, use a third color of paint to add a 3-D effect to the central lettering, as well as some decorative touches.

Step 6

Finally, allow the paint to dry for 24 hours, and then follow the textile medium directions to seal the paint with a hot iron. Then have fun with your newest accessory!

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With more than 50 tips, techniques, and lessons for creating beautiful illuminated letters and sophisticated lettering projects, The Joy of Lettering takes hand lettering to a whole new level.

Gabri Joy Kirkendall (Creative Lettering & Beyond) and Jaclyn Escalera guide readers through a dynamic exploration of the craft, focusing on typography and illuminated letters and numbers using pencil, ink, and marker in a variety of styles and themes. From there, artists will learn how to create letters using a variety of alternative materials and media, such as watercolor, gouache, and wood. Easily customized DIY projects invite artists to finesse their skills as they learn to letter on different types of surfaces while creating lettered murals, stationery, and signage. Packed with creative techniques and easy-to-follow lessons, this all-inclusive resource is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn or grow their expertise in the art of hand lettering.