I’ve been traveling alot again.. I hate to admit this, but since the beginning of June I have been to the following places – New York, Atlanta, a small town in New Jersey, Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, Orangeburg, SC and Toronto.. No joke.
A few months ago I had a similar crazy work schedule and created an airport code themed totebag. I thought it was cute and in a weird way, a funny keep sake.. One day my travel schedule [hopefully sooner than later] will be MUCH slower and I will have the bag to remember..
One side of the bag was blank and I don’t like incomplete projects. With finishing my big “tour”, this was the perfect opportunity to fill it in. Can you guess the first round of airports codes?
Materials Needed:
- Fabric – Sew your bag! I made the bag myself and you can get the tutorial here.
- Link to the handle template here – Market-Totebag-Handle-Pattern-Piece.pdf
- Sewing materials – pins, needles, thread
- Sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Freezer paper
- X-Acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Pens, ruler, paper scissors
- Tulip fabric ink – I really like this brand of fabric ink
- Sponges
I reduced the steps from before. These are your basic 6 steps for printing with freezer paper:
- Find your font and print it out. You may need to print a few versions to get the right size and placement for your bag. Place the paper under the freezer paper and trace. Trace with the shiny side of the paper down
- Gently cut out the words with an X-Acto knife on top of a mat. Place the shiny side down and iron onto your fabric. No Steam. Don’t pull the iron over the paper, lift and press. You want to make sure all the edges are firmly down
- Place cardboard under your fabric. Dab ink over the cut out areas. Make sure to dab very gently near the edges. Do not pull/push the sponges along the fabric – you do not want to lift the edges of the freezer paper. This will make the ink run!
- Continue to dab on surface area until it is all covered
- While the ink is still slightly wet, pull the freezer paper off the fabric. Use the tip of the X-Acto knife to pull the little centers off the letter Os, As, Bs..
- Using a whole punch, I added the little dots around the outside. I think it makes the design look more finished
Once you have tried printing with freezer paper you will be hooked! I promise..
So, what do you think? Travelling this summer? Special destination like a wedding or reunion? Why not make a themed totebag today.
Happy sewing!
LOVE IT! These are sooo cute. Wow.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love this idea! Our daughter has traveled so much. . . I should make something for her with all the airport codes of places she’s been!
I agree, this is a fun keepsake for anything travel related – destination wedding, girls trip, family reunion.. The list goes on.
I love this! It’s like a secret code! Can you post the tutorial to sew that bag next!? Found you on craftgawker right above my own project! (HelloHydrangea.com)
Sure. I can post it next week. Thanks for stopping by. I will check out your blog
I saw this on Twitter. Very cool
what a fun idea!
I really love this! The bag is so adorable and I absolutely love the airport codes… and freezer paper is such a great tip. Definitely going to use it!
Thanks so much for linking up at the Inspiration Monday Party this week! I was so excited to guest host and to get to see so many fabulous new projects and blogs! Have a great week:)
Krista @ the happy housie
Hi Krista, Thank you so much for stopping by and the comments. Glad you learned something new!
Nice bag! Skip the tracing step and run your freezer paper through your printer — first cut the freezer paper to 8 1/2″ x 11″.
Hi – thanks! I didn’t realize that was an option, or was to afraid to try it. Going to use my printer going forward – so much easier!! 🙂