This guide is one is a series of ways to embellish small cotton muslin bags. For our example we used a white, 100% cotton muslin bag with an attached tag. You may also want to try cotton blends for this project. And even prints can be used if you wish.

On most fabrics there is a protective coating known as sizing. It is added to most fabrics as a barrier against stains and dirt and should be removed before you paint. So I suggest a quick woolite or hand soap cool-water bath for the bags before you paint them. Do not tumble the bags with attached tags in your dryer because the tags are made of a very tough material that withstands tugging and tearing but aren't happy when heated up. I ironed one right off the bag one day when I couldn't wait to get going after soaking it. So if you want to learn from my lesson, allow them to air dry and then when pressing out the wrinkles, keep the tags away from the hot surface of the iron.

Once the bags are free of sizing and have been pressed flat, they are ready to paint. Cut a small piece of 2-ply card stock (3x5 file cards are a perfect choice and they will fit in the bags with no cutting required). Slip the card down into the bag and you are ready to begin the painting process. The reason for the card is to keep the paint from bleeding through to the back side of the bag. The card will also give you a more smooth surface to paint on. If you want a tighter surface, try push pins inserted through the bags into a small bulletin board or piece of Homasote board to hold it securely while applying the paint. (Homasote board can be found at your local building center).

If you are painting on a white bag, it is possible to simply apply your paint directly to the bag. I recommend acrylic paint because it dries quickly and sticks to the fabric. If you want a watercolor look just add water to the paint until it reaches the consistency you are looking for.

You can paint anything from quick One-stroke, Tole painting or Rosemaling all the way to the finest works of Art. Several interesting techniques will work. You may like some quick flowers and butterflies, then with a fine liner brush or a felt marker, outline the subjects. You can spray water on the painted areas while they are still wet and get an interesting water effect. Or try stencils and a sponge on top of the dry artwork. Or sprinkle salt on the wet paint for a unique effect. Age with walnut ink crystals, aging ink, etc.

For working on printed fabric, or if you would like a more canvas-like look then simply paint a couple of thin coats of gesso on the center of the bag, feathering the edges outward. Allow the gesso to completely dry and then paint as you would on any small canvas. Remember that the top 1/4 to 1/3 of each bag will be gathered up as the strings are pulled, so keep your artwork low on the bag and keep the work centered inside the gesso area so it will show to the best advantage when each bag is filled. Add hand lettering, curly vines or dip-dot flowers and tendrils wherever they will work out well and if desired.

Prepare several bags at one time and paint them all. This will add a feeling of accomplishment and loads of ready to go bags at one time.

Remember these bags have tags too. So when adding gesso to the fabric, you may also want to gesso the tag and add a small cameo of the picture. Or personalize the bag with a small bit of information about the contents of the bag, your artwork or something that will complete the message you wish to convey. I am currently working on couple of project to share in OALA, ACEO where I am a member. And other eBay Fine Art group members may find creative, artistic uses for these multi-purpose, versatile bags too.

Life is a journey of many single steps... Enjoy each one!