Project Sheet

Personalized Pencil Pouch

Create a colorful canvas bag with your initials, school mascot, or pattern.

Difficulty Level: Beginner
Completion Time: 1 hour (plus drying time)

Watch a video overview:

Back to school season is here and what better way to get ready for it than with some arts & crafts! With endless color options & design variations, you can create a look all your own!

What You'll Need

pencil-pouch-step1 Before you begin, make sure you have all the supplies you'll need. The list below contains all the products we used to create the example shown in this demo. Materials are optional based upon your own design.

Natural Canvas Pouch (10 x 12 inch)
Marabu Fashion Liner (Shimmer Black)
Marabu Fashion Spray (Sunshine Yellow, Red)
Crafters Workshop Stencils (Cosmic Swirl)
Stencil Brush
Soda Ash Dye Fixer (optional pre-soak)
Water Mist (optional)

1. Pre-Soak (Optional)

pencil-pouch-step2 Prepare a bowl of warm water with Soda Ash (1 cup/gallon). Follow the instructions on the package and allow to soak for about 20 minutes. Do not rinse. Wear gloves to avoid contact with soda ash, as it may cause skin irritation.

ARTISTIC TIP:
For a soft, blended look, apply the sprays to damp fabric.

For a crisp, detailed edge, allow the canvas to dry prior to spraying with color.

2. Prep Your Workstation!

pencil-pouch-step3 Cover your work area to avoid potential stains from the color mist. Cut a scrap piece of cardboard to match the size of the canvas pouch and place it inside to prevent the colors from bleeding to the other side.

3. Found Object Masking

pencil-pouch-step4 Use stencils or other objects to mask the canvas from the fashion spray. We recommend using coins as a handy, easy-to-clean option that offers a variety of sizes and arrangements. Masking preserves lighter layers - such as keeping the natural canvas contrast for behind our lettering.

GET CREATIVE!
Coins and other washable items can be arranged to create a variety of designs and layers.

CAUTION: Porous items absorb the spray and stain causing discoloration, so only use items that are disposable to you.

ARTISTIC TIP: When layering colors, start with your lightest color first.

4. Stencil Time!

pencil-pouch-step5 Stencils offer intricate details in a flash. Add a second design layer with a new color. Basic color theory applies, especially if the previous layer is wet. Use paper towels or an old T-shirt to cover any areas you don’t want the second color to receive. Take your creativity to another level by flipping the stencil(s) to create a mirroring design. Once sprayed on, the stencil may also serve as a makeshift stamp, and the over spray can be pressed onto the fabric for a more distressed look.

ARTISTIC TIP: Press stencils or objects flat with the end of a paint brush to avoid unintentional spraying under the design.

5. Liners

pencil-pouch-step6 Liner paint appears thick and puffy at first but rest assured, it dries flat with the surface. Apply directly from the fine tip for detailed linework.

CAUTION: When opening and closing, grip the liner bottle just below the cap to avoid squeezing the bottle. When first opened, if the paint begins overflowing out of the tip, unscrew the tip to equalize the air pressure and then reattach.

ARTISTIC TIP: The paint from a liner may also be applied or manipulated with a brush while wet.

To create unity, we repeated parts of the stencil design in the liner color with a brush on the front and back.

6. Heat Set

pencil-pouch-step8 Allow the paint to dry completely (approximately 6 hours depending on thickness of application). Follow the instructions on the bottle to heat set the design. If using the iron option, preheat with the “cotton” setting. Place a clean cloth between the iron and the pencil bag. Apply heat for approximately 3 minutes while moving the iron continuously.