I'm huge fan of all the beautiful and unique picnic bags popping up lately, butcouldn't bring myself to buy another bag when I already own too many (I'm really
working on the "less is more" philosophy.) Instead, I decided to take an old
canvas tote I already owned and make it over. So here is how it turned out!
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Step 1: Get a plain tote. This one (from LL Bean) used to be my grandmother's,
but she handed it over to me awhile back because she never used it. Instead of
taking off her initials (which I kind of like) I simply turned the bag around to
the blank side. If you wanted though, you could pull out the seam ripper and go
to town removing the monogram. I just didn't think it was necessary.
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Step 2: Sketch out what you would like on the bag in pencil. I went with the
whole "looking into an open picnic basket," but you could draw out wine bottles,
loaves of bread, herbs...whatever you'd like. I'm a big proponent of drawing from
life though, so I pulled out the mismatched flatware, the wine opener etc. to
make sure everything would look close to how it should. (For me, this was most
important for the buckle around the plates. I drew a blank when trying to
remember what it should look like and had to bring out a belt!)
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Step 3: Trace over your sketch with a Sharpie. You could probably use a fabric
pen, but I didn't have one handy. (As an artist though, I always have sharpies
around!) I decided to use two sizes- thick and thin- to create more depth in the
objects. Pick where you'd like the light source to come from (thanks to studying
scientific illustration, I almost always have it coming from the top left) and
use the thick Sharpie on all of the areas that should have a shadow. For me, that
meant I used it on the right side of my objects. Once that's done, use the thin
Sharpie to finish the other parts and to add delicate details to the flatware,
plates etc. I kept going and added more values to the straps etc, but that's not
necessary. I just thought it made everything pop a little more!
Step 4: If you feel like it, erase your pencil marks. I didn't care if you could
see the sketch so I didn't worry about it, but if it bothers you, feel free!
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Step 5: Step back, marvel in your handiwork, and get to planning a picnic so you
can show off your new bag!
Hope you all enjoy!!
