DIY Backpack Decorating: Embroidered Tutorial - Darice

It’s easy to make your own custom embroidered bags with Darice canvas bags and stencil kits! Come learn how to make your own adorable embroidered backpack or zipper pouch. Follow below for the DIY backpack decorating ideas.

It’s officially back to school time, and even though I’m long done with my school days, I still get excited about the thought of new school supplies and getting ready for a new year! With the smell of freshly sharpened pencils in the air, it seemed like the perfect time to make a cute new backpack and zippered pouch, because who doesn’t love pretty organization?

If you want to make your own personalized embroidered bags, keep reading for the full (easy) how-to instructions!

DIY backpack decorating supplies:

Step One. Transfer Design.

When you see stencils, you may first think of using them with paint, but they can also work great for embroidery! For this project, I used several cute stencils from this Darice Adhesive-Back Stencil Set as embroidery patterns!

To use an adhesive stencil as an embroidery pattern, first start off by selecting the stencil you want to use. You can set aside the other stencils and the paint that comes with the kit for another project.

Peel the stencil off of the paper backing and position it on your bag. The adhesive backing will help to keep it in place as you transfer your design.

Next, simply trace the stencil with a water soluble marking pencil or a chalk pencil to transfer the design onto your bag.

Then, peel the stencil off (stick it back onto the backing paper to use again).

Step Two. Embroider.

Use an embroidery hoop to keep your fabric taut as you embroider. A small 3″ hoop works perfectly for embroidering a pocket or smaller pouch.

Thread your needle and start stitching along the lines you have marked on your bag. I used a backstitch to trace all of the lines and then filled in some of the shapes with my best attempt at a satin stitch.

I added rainbow and butterfly designs to the front pocket of the backpack and a cute “hello” design to my zipper pouch.

Step Three. Add Trims and Embellishments.

When you are done with your embroidery, you can some extra interest, color, and texture to your bags with some trims and embellishments. Darice has some adorable trim options to choose from. I ended up picking a silver piece from a Fabric Trim Value Pack for the front pocket, a purple felt rick rack to go around the top of the backpack, and some fun pink pom pom trim for the side pockets.

I finished off my zipper pouch with some black pom pom trim and a pink tassel keychain.