Alphabet Rocks in a Bag

Alphabet in a Bag

 Hello!  Happy Friday!  Alphabet in a BagI’ve been so eager to share this fun project with you, so here it goes!

I am a Mimi, but, unfortunately my granddaughter lives in Denver ( I am in Ohio) so it’s especially fun to create things for her that she can play with and enjoy…a little piece of me she can keep that will be a reminder that her Mimi loves her so!

She adores letters, and at 3 is already beginning to read..so, I’ve made a hand painted, sewn bag to hold a rock alphabet. (a very affordable project too!)

I started with a free pattern by Jeni Baker

(simple and easy to follow…thank you Jeni!)

Jeni’s Blog and Pattern here.

For the external pieces, I used a very inexpensive muslin. Because this muslin is such a light weight fabric, if I were NOT painting it, I would use some type of interfacing to give the bag more body…but you’ll see that the paint will add enough “weight.”

In order to make this bag washable, you will need to add a textile medium to your acrylic paint…I used what you see below. (directions are on the bottle)

textile medium

You can find this product at most local craft stores.

For the background of the 2 external pieces, I used a turquoise blue that would match my lining fabric.  (make sure you paint on a craft mat, some of the paint will soak through the thin fabric)

Alphabet in a Bag

 I knew when I started, that I wanted to use TCW “Wonky Circles” stencil…it’s a fun, bold, eye catching pattern, with doodle possibilities!

TCW220 Wonky Circles

TCW220 Wonky Circles

I like to use what’s called a “pouncer” to apply paint using a stencil onto fabric.  This tool helps provide more control since you will need to “load” more paint than you would if you were stenciling on paper.  (fabric soaks up the paint)

pouncer

Alphabet in a Bag

Painting blocks of color would allow some great areas to doodle in later.

Alphabet in a Bag

I used a couple of permanent ink pens to outline. (Make sure to heat set with an iron to be certain all designs will hold up in the wash)

Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag Once the outside pieces were painted and set, I began to put all the cut pieces together.Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag Above are the rocks to be stored in the bag.

These are river rocks I had on hand from another project. I purchased them at Michaels. The letters are painted with acrylic paint and outlined with a black Pitt multi liner pen.

You could use any rocks you have on hand that are the right size. (1 1/2-2 inches) I have been known to steal rocks from our landscaping beds:)

After the rocks are all painted, seal with a clear acrylic sealer.

I made sure to make a few duplicate letters for my new little speller!

Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag Alphabet in a Bag

I can’t wait to give Annabelle her “bag ‘o rocks!”

It’s a joy to share with you!

Hope you feel inspired to create your own fabric projects with TCW Stencils!

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The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team

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