Decorating canvas bags - please help me with a group craft project...

[BettyButterknife]

I'm running a 1-2 hour craft session for my local WI group at the end of this month, the project is to each decorate a fabric bag.

We are going to supply our members with:
a plain off-white canvas bag
a selection of iron-on coloured transfers of our name and logo
a treasure box of bits and pieces with which to bling up said bags - ribbon, beads, felt, buttons etc.

I would like to make up a couple in advance, both to check the iron-on transfer stuff works well enough, and to give people some examples of what they might like to do. I plan to make the following three bags:

1. Transfer of our logo (a teacup outline) with beaded steam coming from the top of the cup
2. applique bunting spelling out Malago WI
3. The tea cup surrounded by applique cupcakes, perhaps with matching fabric sewn onto the handles.

Can you suggest any other examples I could make up? Or any other ideas/craft materials that would work well? I'm struggling a bit!

Thanks :)

This all sounds like it could look good...flowers would be another, if not very imaginative, idea.

fabric corsages so easy to make.I've decorated a few bags this way.
The most simple way is just to cut circles out of scrap fabric, about 2 inch and 1inch circles.
Layer 3 or 4 on top of each other and sew in the middle.
Then sew a bead or button in the centre to finish off.
Sew onto your bag.
You can play about with different types. Example use a circular flower shape for your fabric cutouts to get a different look.
The type of fabric will change the look too. Felt and cotton you only need a few layers. Organza etc you would need alot more to get a fuller look.
They really are as simple or as ornate as you choose to do them.
Red and navy cotton fabric in stripes or gingham finished with a simple button is so effective.
Found this link it might help www.ehow.com/how_2364054_make-fabric-corsage.html but if you google there are loads of examples on youtube etc.

Fabric markers? We use those for a group of children when we do fabric bags at a holiday club because it is easy but it could add another dimension.Like these?

The same website also has self adhesive felt flowers for those who don't want to cut things out.

Fabric paints and stencils with top stitching and embellishments... All you need are stencil brushes and irons... go for it!

You will be amazed what you ladies could also do free hand!