Red Poppy Crossbody Bag Tutorial

Grab some Sharpies and alcohol to create this cute Red Poppy crossbody bag with just a few supplies. The canvas crossbody bag was purchased from Hobb Lobby for under $2.00. It’s called a “Purse on a String”. You can’t even buy the fabric and zipper for that price, let alone sew it yourself.

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:

1. Canvas Crossbody Bag
2. Sharpies – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Black
3. Isopropyl Alcohol (50%)
4. Sponge Brush
5. A few paper towels
6. Aluminum foil

This is an important step. DO NOT SKIP! Tuck a couple of folded paper towels inside the bag. This will absorb the alcohol and excess ink from the sharpies

Behind the paper towel insert a folded piece of aluminum foil. This protects the back of the bag from leaking ink. And it will leak.

Transfer your design using graphite paper or dressmaker carbon. Or you could freehand the design.

In the GOOD STUFF LIBRARY is a Dragonfly coloring page that would make a good pattern for this bag. This pattern is free when you subscribe.

Let’s get started:

Color in the shape starting with the outer edges colored red, then add orange. You will need to add yellow toward the center of the poppy. Color the stems green.

Reference the above photo add just a touch of black around the middle of the poppy. We will add more details with black after the bag is completely dry.

We all learn in different ways. Some like just written instructions, some people like lots of pictures with written instruction, and some like videos. If you like videos here you go. And I would love it if you subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Make sure you are in a WELL ventilated area.

Use your sponge brush and apply an even coat of alcohol across the entire surface. The ink will soften and bleed to the edge of the alcohol. Caution: The more ink and alcohol you use the more the poppy will bleed.

This is not a new technique but sometimes we just have to go back and revive a few projects that were just too much fun. Several years ago we used this same method on t-shirts at a Godly Girlfriends Retreat for teen girls. There were about 50 of them – all in one room – all with sharpies – all with brushes and alcohol. It didn’t take us long to start opening doors and turning on the fans to air the place out. So, take it from me. Do this in a well-ventilated area.

Now it’s time for a break.

Set the bag aside and let it dry. Don’t use a hairdryer as this stops the bleed process.

When it is completely dry you can move on to the next step.

I removed the paper towel at this point but you can leave it in until the very end if you want to. I did not remove the foil. You can see how the ink bled into the paper towel. That is why you want to protect the bag with the paper towel and the foil.

Now for the details.

I used a fine point Sharpie to draw in a “sketchy” outline. The ultra-fine was too fine and didn’t show well. If you want a sharp, clean outline, go for it! To me this has a watercolor and ink look so I really like the sketchy look for the outline. Color in the center of the poppies and a few little circles here and there around the center area.

And there you have it, your own work of art on a cute little crossbody bag. I also think this would be adorable for a child to draw their artwork onto the bag. Don’t let them do this unattended. Two reasons. The Sharpies and the alcohol need adult supervision and your tabletop or walls might never be the same.

I would love to see what design you come up with.

Thanks so much for subscribing and sharing.

’til next time,

Nathalie