How to Make a Colourful Flamingo Tote Bag
Turn a plain cotton shopping bag into a bright and playful flamingo tote using fabric paint and a handprint. This easy craft is a fun personalised project for children to create as a handmade gift for Mum.
The tote bag is quick to decorate, but it should be left to dry completely overnight before use.
Project Details
- Project number: C025
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate project time: 24 hours, including drying time
What You Will Need
Materials
- 100% cotton shopping bag
- Makr Fabric Paint in pink
- Makr Fabric Paint in yellow
- Makr Fabric Paint in red
- Makr Fabric Paint in black
Equipment
- Paintbrush
- Paint palette
- Piece of cardboard
Prepare the Tote Bag
- Place a piece of cardboard inside the cotton shopping bag. This will help prevent the fabric paint from bleeding through to the other side.
- Lay the bag horizontally on a flat, protected surface, with the handles positioned towards the right.
Create the Flamingo Handprint
- Cover the right hand evenly with pink fabric paint.
- Firmly press the painted hand onto the front of the cotton shopping bag to create the flamingo’s body and feathers.
- Carefully lift the hand away from the fabric and wash the paint from the skin immediately.
Paint the Flamingo Details
- Using a paintbrush and pink fabric paint, paint a long, curved neck extending upwards from the handprint.
- Mix yellow and red fabric paint on the palette to create an orange colour.
- Use the orange paint to add the flamingo’s beak and legs.
- Use black fabric paint to add a small eye.
- Paint the word Mum vertically beside the flamingo to personalise the tote bag.
Allow the Design to Dry
Leave the tote bag flat in a well-ventilated area and allow the fabric paint to dry completely overnight. Keep the cardboard inside the bag while the paint dries to prevent any transfer between the fabric layers.
Helpful Tips
Protect your work surface before beginning and supervise children while they are using fabric paint.
Follow the drying, heat-setting and washing instructions provided on the fabric paint packaging before using or washing the finished tote bag.
