I have a ton of muslin drawstring bags left over from my clothing line and I love to use them for gifts. They can be a little "blah" on their own so I've been doing some embellishing - in NEON no less.
This is a simple and quick project with really fun results.
What you'll need for the polka dot bags:
Muslin drawstring bags (any size is fine) - find them on Etsy or do a google search for a list of suppliers
Neon fabric paint
Circle sponge applicator thing (pictured below - super cheap at craft stores)
Steps:
1. Place a piece of cardboard in the bag so that the fabric paint doesn't seep through.
2. Dab your sponge in the fabric paint - make sure you don't overdo it on the paint. It's better to have too little paint on the sponge than too much. You can practice on paper to gauge the best amount.
3. Press your sponge onto the bag to make your dots. Reapply paint on your sponge every dot or two.
4. Let paint dry completely.
5. Place a piece of scrap fabric over your bag and press with a hot iron to set the paint.
I made a ton of these bags up so that I can grab one whenever I need one for a gift.
What you'll need for the chevron bag:
Muslin drawstring bag
Neon fabric paint
Paint Brush
Freezer paper
Chevron template - available here
Exacto knife or small pointy scissors
The chevron bags are a bit more labor intensive than the polka dot bags but still don't take too much time. (It would save a ton of time if I could figure out a way to make a reusable template rather than cutting out new freezer paper for every bag.)
1. Print out the chevron template. Place it underneath the freezer paper and trace it.
2. Use an exacto knife (place a cutting mat or cardboard down to protect your surface) or use small pointy scissors to cut out two of the zig zags.
3. With the waxy side of the freezer paper down, iron it on to the bag. 4. Again, put cardboard inside the bag and use the paint brush to paint the fabric paint onto the design. Be careful not to use too much paint. You need just enough to cover the surface.
5. While the paint is still wet, carefully peel off the freezer paper. 6. Wait for it to completely dry and then heat press it with an iron (place a scrap piece of fabric on top of the bag to be safe).
Super easy. Not only do these make great gift bags, they can also be used for toys, crayons, party favors, etc. Endless possibilities here.
Muslin bags come in all sizes and quantities. You shouldn't have any problems finding them online but if you do, let me know and I'll help you out. Cheers!
