No-Sew Flower Applique Tote Bag Tutorial

Looking for a quick and easy tote bag project?  Have you done iron-on appliqué? Applique is so simple and works for so many projects.  Today's tutorial, in honor of spring and Earth Day, is on how to make a plain tote into a no-sew flower appliqued tote bag.

how to applique a Tote Bag

We at Needlepointers.com love to reuse to save the environment!  And our version of an appliqued tote bag is an easy Earth Day craft that is reusable over and over again.

I don't think you can have too many totes.  Tote bags can be used as shopping bags,  book bags, travel or storage bags, craft bags, laptop carriers, beach bags, pool bags, gym bags and gift bags. 

If you're a mom, they can be filled with diapers, wipes, drinks, snacks and toys for little ones.

Raw edge applique is one of my favorite ways of adding something special to standard tote bags. It's no-sew! It's super easy to do! It's raw edge applique! You start with a ready-made canvas tote and dressed it up with a colorful iron-on design.  Anyone can do it!

All you need is heat 'n bond adhesive, a scissor and household iron to applique that remains permanently attached to fabric even after washing.

If you are looking for more tote bag tutorials, head over to our quilt tote page or our sewing tote page for lots of inspiration.

Our design today is a simple flower applique pattern.  So let's get started.  Learn this raw edge applique tutorial using a tote bag by watching our video Or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial.

Before we begin the applique project, let's discuss applique.

what is applique?

Applique is a lovely embellishment technique that applies one piece of fabric to another to create beautiful designs. It is usually shapes or designs on top of background fabric.  The applique can be left plain or decorated by using different colored or textured threads, beads, sequins and pearls around the edges of the fabric motifs. 

INStRUCTIONS for appliqueing a flower tote bag

STEP 1: gather supplies

Step one is to gather your fabric choices and the rest of the supplies listed above.  I love to use scraps when appliqueing tote bags and for other applique projects. It's a scrap buster!

If you want the exact size of the fabric pieces you need for this project, here they are:

1 - Heat 'n Bond UltraHold 12" x 8"

1 - 4" x 6" Green Fabric for Stem and Leaves

1 - 6" x 6" Flower Fabric

1 - 6" x 5" Pot Fabric

1 - 2" x 2" Flower Center

STEP 2: Trace pattern pieces

Download and print the flower applique pattern (link below).  Then, trace the pattern to the paper side of the Heat 'n Bond Ultrahold.  It is very important that you use Heat 'n Bond Ultrahold.  It is a permanent adhesive that can be washed and the applique won't come off.

 To transfer the design onto the Heat 'n Bond you have a few options.

1. Simply lay the Heat 'n Bond on top of the pattern sheet and trace.  As long as I can see the design, this is my preferred method. 
2. A light box is a great aid in tracing embroidery patterns.  
3. Bright window method - Tape the pattern to the window glass so it doesn't move.  Tape the Heat 'n Bond over the pattern and trace.

Step 3: cut pattern pieces

Cut around all the pattern pieces about 1/4" from the line.  You don't have to be precise but DO NOT CUT ON THE LINES.

STEP 4: Attach pieces to the fabric

Begin by preheating the iron to a medium heat setting.

Iron the adhesive side of the Heat 'n Bond (the rough side) on the back (wrong side) of the fabric.  The paper side of the Heat 'n Bond is facing up.

Place and hold the iron on the paper for 2 seconds.

STEP 5: cut fabric

After all the pieces have been adhered to the fabric, cut out all the shapes along the drawn line.

STEP 6: attach to a tote bag

Begin by ironing the tote bag to remove any wrinkles where you will be placing the design.

Then, with the flower, flower pot and stem shapes, peel the paper off of the cutout.  A quick tip for removing the paper is to take a pin and lightly score the paper.  You will find it is easier to remove.

Place the fabric flower, flower pot and stem pieces adhesive side down on top of the tote bag.  The stem piece ends can be placed slightly under the flower and the pot.

Again with the iron on a medium setting, press and hold the iron for 8 seconds on each section until the entire pieces are bonded.

Last, adhere the flower center and leaves to the tote bag.

Ta-Da! The tote bag is finished.

Canvas tote bags make great gifts and they're also a wonderful way to carry things around town or home from the store.

I hope that you enjoyed this DIY blog on how to turn a plain tote bag into an applique tote bag. If you like this project be sure to pin, bookmark and share.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to help or clarify anything.

Don't forget to celebrate Earth Day! Have a wonderful Spring!  

Annette

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