Striped West Elm Inspired tote bag

INSIDE : Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style.

Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style. Delineate Your Dwelling #stripedtotebag #canvastotebag #DIYcanvastote

 
I love West Elm.  If I had to pick one single store to literally bring my toothbrush and move right in, it would be West Elm.  Today I will be sharing how you can create this West Elm knock-off bag for a fraction of the cost!
 

Here is my inspiration bag, the Baggu Dipped Tote in gold.  It comes in at a price of forty five dollars.  I did a little photoshop action and added my knock off Canvas Shoulder Bag for a side by side comparison.  My bag came in at a total of eight dollars.

 

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WHAT SUPPLIES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A STRIPED TOTE BAG?

 
The first order of business is to purchase your canvas totes.  I got mine at Hobby Lobby but there are a ton of options as to what type or style of bag you can select.  I went for simple no frills tote bag.
 

I then took masking tape (I can’t locate our painter’s tape to save my life) and started blocking out the stripe pattern.  I started at about 2/3 from the bottom and worked my way up.  Leave the strap as is for now.

Inspired Stripe West Elm step1

 
 

Next, I used my black acrylic paint and added some acrylic fabric paint medium as per the directions.  The fabric medium helps prevent the paint from cracking once it has dried.

I slowly started filling in the blank spaces using my pouncer.  Make sure your tape is pushed down all the way so no paint sneaks underneath it.

Inspired Stripe West Elm step2

 
 

After about an hour, I removed the masking tape.  Phew, what a lovely surprise so far.

Inspired Stripe West Elm step3

 

Next, I wanted to mimic the black stripes along the West Elm bag’s handles but didn’t want to paint them.  

I was worried even with using acrylic fabric paint medium that the paint would bleed onto the shoulders of my clothing.  So, I grabbed some black ribbon and my sewing machine.  I’m absolutely not a fancy sewer and hate being precise with things like measuring.  So, I just eye balled the spacing at fairly regular intervals.

I also cut each ribbon to be about 3″ in length and left the excess hang over each side of the strap.

Inspired Stripe West Elm step4

 
 

After all the ribbons were sewn on, I cut them down to size.

Inspired Stripe West Elm step5

 

To get the gold color on the bottom portion of the bag, I tried a new product called Tulip Color Shot fabric spray paint. 

I wrapped the entire canvas bag in a plastic bag and taped down the edges just at the edge of the last black stripe.   I could not have been more pleased with the color.  It took two quick swipes and was the perfect shimmery gold addition.

Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style. Delineate Your Dwelling #stripedtotebag #canvastotebag #DIYcanvastote

The final product was so much better than I could even have imagined!

Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style. Delineate Your Dwelling #stripedtotebag #canvastotebag #DIYcanvastote

Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style. Delineate Your Dwelling #stripedtotebag #canvastotebag #DIYcanvastote

Learn how to create a gorgeous DIY Striped West Elm inspired tote bag! Perfect for carrying your miscellaneous items around in style. Delineate Your Dwelling #stripedtotebag #canvastotebag #DIYcanvastote
I am officially in love with this tote and to be perfectly honest, I have a soft spot in my heart for DIY tote bags!

Looking for other fun tote bags crafts?

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Triangle Tote, Last Minute Handmade gift - Delineateyourdwelling.com
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1-Inspired Stripe West Elm bag

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How to create a gorgeous Plant Embroidery Tote Bag. Delineate Your Dwelling #embroiderycraft #totebagcraft
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44 thoughts on “Striped West Elm Inspired tote bag”

  3. OK – I pinned this idea when you first posted with ever intend to make a similiar one. In my true fashion, it has yet to get done. BUT I keep seeing this idea all over the blogworld! It has reinforced my desire to make one…I am makign a list and hitting Michaels tomorrow!!!

    Reply

  15. This is AMAZING! I love West Elm so much…including this bag. I also love the green stool you featured in this photo, haha. So glad I stumbled upon your blog!

    – Kate @ Toile + Thyme

    Reply

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