paint cut paste

N will begin kindergarten at the local waldorf school in early september. (yes, she’s only 4.5, but they do a mixed age K class, so this is her first of two years in kindergarten.) anyway, about a week ago, we got a letter in the mail from her teacher with instructions for how to make a bag in which to store her spare clothes at school.

now, for a momma like myself who really cannot sew is a very beginning seamstress, this is rather daunting. it’s funny to me that the waldorf school assumes the parents can all sew — and also great that they emphasize it because really, coming from a long line of fiber artists, i really should know! luckily, i inherited a sewing machine from my artsy (and adventurous) friend who moved her family to bali last year. (thank you, linds!) so i busted that out and gathered my supplies.

when we made our seasonal placemats a couple weeks ago, N and i placed the fabric order (together at the computer screen – i know, waldorf) on spoonflower. N could not resist one of the fox fabrics we saw on there, so i bought a yard of the fabric, not knowing what exactly we’d do with it. well, here is the answer — time for a foxy spare clothes bag! the directions were simple (thankfully!) first cut fabric to 16″x32″ — easier said than done when you don’t have a cutting mat thingie or a rotary cutter, but i managed some diagonal approximations of straightish lines. fold fabric in half, right side facing in.

sew up the two sides of the bag, leaving the top open.

okay, i didn't cut it straight AT ALL but whatever. it's inside the bag, right? is this where you all put the pins when sewing?see, i need help.

fold in the open side about 2″ and pin. sew along the fold to create a casing for the drawstring.

insert a string, rope, ribbon, or braided cord through the casing at the top. i quickly realized that a huge crochet needle would be my best friend in this task.

pull together, tie into a bow (or wait until you get into the classroom to see where the hook is and how long the string is supposed to be, then cut it and tie a bow ) insert spare underwear, socks, pants, t-shirt, and hang bag in kindergarten classroom.

it is easy being green! who couldn’t use another reusable canvas bag – for groceries, target runs, library books, the farmer’s market, playdates, dance class, etc.? we decided to customize some springy totes for N’s preschool teachers and dance teacher in honor of teacher appreciation week!

i bought a 3-pack of tote bags from michael’s for $9 (individual bags for $4.) they’re a nice 13″ size for carrying lots of things! i also got three colors of non-toxic fabric paint for about $1.40 each. (they sell assorted color sets for more money, but i thought i needed a larger amount of just three colors.)

then we got down to business… i used a sponge brush to paint the fabric paint onto N’s hand. then she pressed her handprints (reapplying paint in between) on the bags in a radial fashion.

these made pretty flower petals. then she used a sturdy paintbrush to paint a center on each flower (in a different color) and a stem with leaf on each one.

you could personalize further by writing or stamping a person’s name on each tote, but we liked them as is. just let them dry for 4 hours, and you’re good to bag up your stuff!

these made great gifts for N’s teachers, (along with these custom gift tags drawn & written by N.) the bags would also work nicely for mother’s day or a reusable gift bag to fill with goodies when celebrating a birthday, bridal/baby shower, or any spring/summer event!

and if you like N’s shirt, it could be yours… click here!