How to Make a Punch Needle Tote Bag
This Black History Month we asked Shikira from @kre8iveshack to create a mixed media tote bag that represents this year's theme of 'Celebrating our Sisters'.
Featuring punch needle and embroidery, plus a slogan close to Shikira's heart, this is the perfect project to make with you and your friends this October.
Project and instructions by Shikira from kre8iveshack
You will need
How to make
* DMC thread in colour 310
* Knitcraft Everyday Chunky in Rust
* Womans Institute Soft and Chunky in Black
* 12 Inch Embroidery hoop
* Canvas Tote Bag
* Embroidery needle
* Adjustable Punch Needle 5mm
Print out the pdf template and transfer the image onto your fabric. I’m using a heat transfer pen which requires you to iron the paper image face down onto the fabric. For this you would need the reversed image template.
Using Women’s Institute Soft and Chunky in black, thread your needle. Begin punch needling around the outline of the ponytail, then move onto the leave details.
Thread the punch needle with Knitcraft Everyday Chunky in Rust, and fill in the leaves which are filled in on the image.
Thread the embroidery needle with DMC colour 310 (all 6 strands) and start to stitch the outlines of the woman in the image.
Once the woman is complete, thread the embroidery needle with more DMC colour 310. This time double the threads so you will stitch with 12 strands. Stitch the letters of the design.
Move back onto punch needling by filling in the hair of the ponytail. Use the black yarn.
To complete the bag I recommend fixing the punch needle stitches using a fabric glue to secure your stitches. You can also stick a square of cotton fabric just to cover all of the stitches on the wrong side of the bag.