Sew Ready to Play with The Southern Institute

Introducing once again, the fabulous Jenny from The Southern Institute! If you’ve been following this blog for a little while now, you know that  Jenny and I have become pretty good pals and have enjoyed sharing on each other’s blogs. We met over comments about washing detergents and the rest is history! She shared her Indoor Herb Garden here and I’ve shared my Magnetic Bookmark tutorial there.

And I’m honored to have her here again! Welcome Jenny!

Red Rover Tote Bag

from The Southern Institute

Hi everyone, Jenny here from The Southern Institute!  I was so excited when Louise asked me to be a part of this series.  What a fun idea!  I had a hard time choosing a game to go with.  It came down to Heads Up 7Up or Red Rover for me.  I loved both of those games as a kid, but when I mentioned Heads Up 7Up to friends, there were a few who looked at me with blank stares.  Everyone seems to be familiar with Red Rover, however, and so was born the idea for the Red Rover Tote Bag!  Here’s a little tutorial for you.

Supplies needed:

• tote bag (you can buy one or make one using this tutorial)
• freezer paper
• exacto knife
• cutting mat
• fabric paint
• fabric paint brush
• brown paper shopping bag
• a large scrap of fabric, about 14″ x 7″
• Pellon Wonder-Under (found with the interfacing at Joann’s and other fabric stores), cut to the same size as the fabric.
• iron
• scissors

First a little freezer paper stenciling.Using the freezer paper stenciling technique, paint “RED ROVER” onto the top half of the front of the tote bag. (Detailed Freezer Paper Stencil Tutorial found here).

Print out your stencil onto the dull side of the freezer paper (you can download it here).

Cut it out with the exacto knife.

Iron it on to the tote bag, shiny side down…

Apply two coats of paint, allowing about 10 minutes between coats, and peel the stencil away when it’s dry.

Now for the applique.

Press your fabric nice and smooth.  

In retrospect, madras was not the ideal fabric choice, but I love the way it looks.

Following the directions (they come with the Wonder-Under), attach the fabric to the Wonder-Under.

I cut out a paper people chain by drawing a little man (find him here) and drawing him over and over.  

Trace around the template onto the back side of the fabric.  

It doesn’t have to be perfect, as you can see.  

Cut the little guys out!

Attach the Madras Men to the front of the tote bag, according to the Wonder-Under directions.

This is going to be a book bag for our library trips.  It would also make a great gift!

Thanks so much for having me at I’m Feelin’ Crafty!  

It was “SEW” much fun!

See you all at The Southern Institute!