A plain market bag is a lovely excuse to take our favourite autumn designs beyond the craft room. I made two versions: a cheeky dragon bag and a Scottish Highlands bag filled with plaid, pumpkins and pretty things. Add a ribbon dangle at the handle and an everyday tote becomes something rather special.
Two autumn looks
Dragons Don't Do Pumpkin Spice — We Bring the Heat: the dragon design pairs beautifully with a full red-and-burnt-orange bow, beads and gold charms. Keep the bow snug against the handle and let the ribbons drape along the side so the dragon and wording remain visible.
Plaid, Pumpkins & Pretty Things: the Scottish Highlands version calls for purple plaid, matcha green and purple velvet ribbons, with pearl sprays and a cabochon at the centre of the bow. A silver Scottish thistle charm adds the finishing touch.
What you will need
- Your chosen digital image and Canva
- A light-coloured market bag suitable for sublimation
- A printer set up with sublimation ink and compatible sublimation paper
- A heat press, fresh protective butcher paper and an appropriate pressing surface
- A lint roller and heat-resistant tape
- A handmade or purchased purse dangle
Check your blank: a canvas look does not necessarily mean a bag is suitable for sublimation. Use a bag sold for sublimation and follow its supplier's instructions. Ordinary untreated cotton requires a different transfer method.
1. Prepare the image in Canva
Open an 8.5 × 11 inch design in Canva and upload your image. Size it to suit the blank space on your bag, allowing for your printer's printable margins. Keep the image in proportion.
Flip the image horizontally, then download it to your device at high quality. The lettering should look backwards in the saved file. Mirror it only once: if you have flipped it in Canva, leave any additional mirror setting in the print dialogue turned off.
2. Print and allow the ink to dry
Print on the correct side of your sublimation paper using the settings recommended for your printer, ink and paper combination. Check the print preview to make sure the design has not been resized unexpectedly.
Allow the ink to dry fully before handling. Carefully tear away the excess paper around the image, leaving a small border and keeping all of the printed design intact.
3. Prepare the market bag
Lay the bag flat and lint-roll the area that will be pressed. Pre-press as directed by your bag supplier to remove moisture and wrinkles, then allow it to cool before positioning the transfer. Put fresh protective paper inside the bag to protect the back. Keep handles and bulky seams out of the pressing area.
4. Centre and press
Place the printed image face down in the centre of the blank space. Check that it is straight and secure it with heat-resistant tape so it cannot slide. Cover it with fresh protective paper as directed for your press.
Press using the temperature, time and pressure recommended for your particular bag and transfer supplies. Settings vary, so use the supplier's guidance rather than a single setting for every tote.
5. Remove from the press and cool
Carefully lift the bag from the press and lay it flat on a heat-safe surface. Follow your transfer supplier's instructions for when to remove the paper, lifting it cleanly without dragging it across the print. Let the bag cool completely before adding its decorations.
6. Add a little personality to the handle
Attach your purse dangle close to the base of a handle, with the bow sitting snugly against it. Arrange the ribbon tails, beads and charms down the side of the bag so they frame the transfer without covering it.
Make your own with layered ribbons, beads, a clasp and a few favourite charms, or purchase a ready-made bag dangle from Etsy. There are lots of cute charms on Temu too—lovely little finishing touches for a dangle that suits your bag's personality.
For the dragon bag, think rich reds, burnt orange and gold dragon, leaf or flame charms. For the Scottish Highlands bag, combine purple plaid, matcha green and purple velvet with pearl sprays, a centre cabochon and a silver thistle.
One simple process, two very different moods: a little Highland romance, or a dragon with opinions about pumpkin spice.
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Shop the artwork for these market bags
Choose the printable collection for your favourite version: Dark Fantasy Fall Expansion on Etsy for the dragon bag, or Scottish Highlands Fall Expansion on Etsy for the Scottish Highlands bag. These are digital downloads; bags and craft supplies are separate.
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