Last time I was in a giant craft store picking up some yarn I decided to check out the Cricut section. HOLY COW! I couldn’t believe all of the wonderful things available. There were bins of plain hats, bags and shirts to use with iron-ons. I found this perfect-size tote bag just screaming to go home with me. I knew I wanted to add a cute crochet saying so I asked in my facebook group for suggestions. They know how much I love Dr. Seuss so a few shared Seuss-inspired crochet sayings.
I really love how this bag turned out and hope you do too! I’ve decided to give it to one of my followers. Scroll down to enter or CLICK HERE to jump down quicker.
How To Make One Too
Materials We Used
- Cricut Easypress 2 machine (size small/6″ x 7″) or iron
- Cricut Maker
- Cricut Everyday Iron-On Vinyl: Black, Red
- Computer or other device to access Cricut Design Space
- Weeder tool, Standard Grip Cutting Mat
- Cricut Brite Pad
- Canvas Tote Bag. Dimensions: 15 x 15.25 x 16.25 inches
- Fabric Paint (optional): black and red
Extra Supplies Worth Having
The Cricut Tools Basic Set includes a lot of things that come in handy: a weeder, scraper, scissors, tweezers and spatula.
Making the Iron-on Vinyl
Step 1: Making The Graphic
I had this saying in mind so I made my own graphic. It does include a font that I purchased so there is a small fee to use the graphic.
CLICK HERE to make this in Cricut Design Space.
For tips on using design space, check out Design Space For Beginners.
Step 2: Cutting the Vinyl
- Place your iron on vinyl shiny plastic-side DOWN on your standard grip cutting mat.
- Follow the guided steps.
- Make sure to click “Mirror Image (for iron-on)” so it flips your image.
- Don’t peel the Cricut vinyl sheet off the mat yet. We are going to remove the extra vinyl that’s not part of your design first.
- Use the Cricut weeding tool to remove any unwanted vinyl. Make sure you get every little piece out of the letter centers too. When done, peel the piece off the mat.
- Cut around the outer edge of the vinyl to remove the extra film. You don’t have to be super close to the letters. If you use the same bag I did (that has the handles down the sides) it is important to remove the extra film from the sides so the vinyl can lay flat on the bag.
My bag was pretty wrinkled when I bought it. I heated my small Easy Press machine to 340 degrees (suggested temp for cotton canvas) and used it to first press out any wrinkles on the bag. I also used it to make the corners nice and crisp too.
Temp Settings: Need to know the temperature to use for your fabric? Cricut has an online heat guide you can use. I also really like the downloadable charts from “Hey, Let’s Make Stuff”.
Place the bag on an EasyPress Mat. Check placement and make sure it is straight.
Step 3: Applying The Vinyl
When the EasyPress has reached the necessary heat, place it on top of the vinyl. Push the button to begin the timer for 30 seconds.
Flip the bag over. Cricut suggests also ironing from the back of the piece, but since this is a bag I put my EasyPress inside so I was only working with one layer of the bag. See more info about this below under “what we learned”.
Allow the vinyl to cool a bit and peel off the film.
Step 4: Painted Accents (optional)
I wanted to add some more color to the bag so I added black dots around the top edge with the tip of my paint brush and black fabric paint. I added red squares across the top of the pocket with a 1/4″ flat paint brush and red fabric paint. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
What We Learned
How Tos: Links I found super helpful with this project
~ Make your own designs in Cricut Design Space
Don’t Dos
I am getting really good about finding ways to NOT do Cricut stuff. I hope you will learn from my “don’t dos” and be able to avoid my mistakes.
~ Transfer Tape is NOT needed when you use iron-on vinyl. I know several of you pros just spit your coffee out laughing at that no-brainer there, but for some reason I keep thinking I need to use it on my vinyl. Yes, “Transfer Tape”, that clear, sticky, tape-like stuff you use with vinyl to apply it to items.
~ Make sure to use the right size EasyPress 2 machine for the project. Cricut sent me two sizes and I wondered why I would ever use the smaller one. The bigger one covered the project, so just always go big right? WRONG. Because of the straps running down the sides of my vinyl they weren’t allowing the EasyPress surface to sit down on the bag so I wasn’t getting a strong bond.
Of course I didn’t realize this until after I had thrown away the film from the vinyl. Now what? I found some super helpful people in a fb group that suggested using parchment paper if you need to repress the iron on. THEY ROCK!
Win This Bag
Pin To Save For Later
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Congratulations to Our Winner
The next project I want to make is the eagle pillow or bag I haven’t decided yet
The next project I want to make is a tapestry crochet blanket
My next project will be a crochet blouse for my 25 yr old daughter.
This is so adorable. I’m really encouraged to pull my new (and only used a couple times) machine out and start doing this, but I can’t put my crocheting down long enough to learn it well enough.
I want to make a sweater
Love this bag.My next project is some toy story crochet appliques
I love your designs. I’m going to make a blanket.
The next project I want to make is the Phoenix afghan
I love love this
Thanks for the opportunity. Love it
Absolutely love this tote bag!!
This is super vut and functional! 🙂
The next project I want to do is a huge Granny square blanket. I would love this tote! Thank you for the chance to win!
I’m making your birthday cake for a granddaughter
Need to catch up on your recently released patterns
I want to make a purse
I so want this bag…. and a cricut
I love this bag….. I am addicted to tote bags LOL
I want to make an amigurumi from the new crochet book I recently purchased!
I want to make so many things I just don’t have enough time. Lol. If I have to choose just one I guess it would be a shawl. I need one for when I’m in the Dr office waiting for my husband’s appointments. It’s always so cold in there.
I love your design! I have a machine still in the box. You are inspiring me to give it a try.
I’m trying to finish a buffalo check blanket then on to some yarn bombing projects.
Currently working on crochet blanket (no pattern), then hopefully a blanket for my daughter.
Need to come up with somemthing quick and easy to make for dialysis patients for August and September.
This tote is awesome. And you can never have to many totes. Where can you fine just the crochet hook par% of the design also.
Thank you for all you do
I want to make something quick with bulky yarn!
My next project is a Christmas stocking for our new pupoy!!!
I would do a tote bag too. Mine would say “Crochet is the new zen” or “Crochet is my happy place”. Or maybe “Create joy. Crochet.”
What a great bag. Your message is adorable and very catchy.
Currently, I have about 6 ACTIVE WIPs (and numerous others in time-out), so I really should stop looking for other inspiration…but my grandchildren’s first and second birthdays are coming up, and I’ve seen some really cute birthday cake slice and cupcake patterns that I would love to make and send to their adoptive families to give to them.
I am so amazed by everything you do!
This is so awesome!!
Love this tote! Heidi ROCks!!
I love all your patterns
Thanks for the giveaway, I actually do many crafts also.
This is the cutest tote. I have a couple of totes but I would love to have this one to carry my project in. No one can have too many totes and this would just be the best.
My next project will be a crocheted backpack
Thank You for the chance on this giveaway and to answer the question what I will be crocheting next is a lovey of some sort! They happen to be one of my favorite things to make!!
Wow… This is so cool.
shared & tweeted! .y next projects are hats shark cozy and pencil topper for shark week, and snug SD bug set from pattern paradise! 💜 love the bag!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206087330219080&id=1737105046
https://twitter.com/freespiritczs/status/1143032136443842560
Thank you
I’m currently making a shirt for pattern testing but after that I’m going to make hats to donate to The Ronald McDonald house
Looks awesome and I love the saying!
I love it, it is soo you!! Thanks for the chance!
Butterfly blanket for my great granddaughter
Great bag.
Wow! I really don’t need a new hobby. 😂 My next crochet project will be my Wonder Woman shawl.
I want to make more tote bags
Set of towels to go with my mermaid soap dispenser.
Very cool project.
I would love to win this!
I do all sorts of crafts, vinyl, beads, crochet… I’m not sure what my next project will be. I just finished one for a friend having a baby…
Such a cute bag! Happy Summer!
You are Awesome! I enjoy your patterns and look forward to ones to come
The next project I want to make is your Uncle Sam Flag. It’s perfect for the 4th of July.
The next project I want to make is your Uncle Sam Flag. It’s perfect for the 4th of July.
Really cute. I would love this
I’m working on the Panda Lovely 😍 I just need to see him together !
I want to make up some of your bbq towels.
Beautiful bag
Thank you… what a wonderful thing to do.
That tote bag is so cute! I want to make an Afghan next.
Making a different granny called Glourious granny.
This would be a wonderful thing to winl
I love all your patterns and this tote bag is awesome.
I want to make a shawl as my next project.
Love the bag. Would love to have one.
My grandson who is 4 has informed me he needs 2 more banana bags in the same colors as his. Blue,red,green. I have yet to ask him any questions. Seemed like pretty important business for him though.😄💜
Perfect Snappy tote!
The next project I want to make is a blanket for a grandchild!
This is one of the cutest totes I’ve ever seen!
Love the bag, great job.
More hats 🙂
I don’t have a Cricut, but would love to get one. I’ll just stick with crocheting for now!
My next project is going to be the Cupcake Baby Blanket for my granddaughter due in October.
I have a n order for a couple back pillows & an order for a bowling pin & ball set I will be working on. Great giveaway!
I am working on Loveys for a pregnancy help center.
I love your new bag. I would love to win it.
Love it!
I love Dr Seuss as well!! This tote is amazing. I am new to Cricut. About 2 months into it now. I just ordered my Easy Press 2 on HSN a couple weeks ago. So really new to the iron ons 🙂
The next project I want to make is a rug for my new home!
i love this!
Thanks for the chance to win the bag. It would make a handy wip bag.
As to what I want to make next, I think that I’d better finish one of my seven or so wips before starting anything else! 🙂
I want to make some hats and headbands for Christmas gifts. I never plan ahead with projects so I never finish in time!
I am going to make another crocheted lapghan after i finish the one i am doing!
Love the bag!❤️
Love the tote! I want to make Footsie blanket for my crochet room
My next project I want to start is the MAM blanket.