How to decorate a tote bag using fabric scraps

Textile bags are becoming increasingly popular. To give your accessory a unique look perfect for a stroll around town, I suggest decorating your tote bag with a fabric scrap appliqué. The work is done almost entirely by hand and is suitable even for those without a sewing machine.

Materials needed:

Base for the appliqué: canvas, linen, or coarse fabric; even burlap will work. Batting (polyester batting). Colorful fabric scraps. Embroidery floss or regular sewing thread.

Step 1

Cut out a rectangle smaller than the bag and back it with batting. Fold the edges inward and press.

Cut rectangles and squares of various sizes from your fabric scraps. The fabric colors can be quite "boring"; this is a great way to use up scraps you were planning to throw away.

Fold each square in by 1 cm on all four sides, press, and sew onto the base using an invisible stitch.

Gradually fill the entire surface, arranging your future "houses" randomly and close to each other.

Similarly, cut out triangles for the roofs of the houses. You will only need a few of these. It is better to choose brighter fabric for these.

Sew on the triangles, and also hand-embroider the base itself, adding interesting details.

All that remains is to hand-sew or machine-stitch the finished appliqué base onto the bag, and your trendy tote is ready.