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Vintage Poster Library Tote

June 9, 2014 1 Comment

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

I am mildly obsessed with vintage ads, and in particular the work done for the Works Progress Administration after World War II. They’re really inspiring to look at, and they make excellent wall art, but sometimes finding big enough copies of images is hard. Lots of web searches yield images that are only like 250 pixels and compressed practically beyond recognition. So where did I find the adorable WPA poster to make this tote?

My new favorite source for vintage images is called Vintagerio. It’s also my favorite place to spend hours drooling over and getting inspired by vintage ads, propaganda, vintage greeting cards, foreign vintage art and illustrations. Vintagerio’s incredible collection of thousands of high quality vintage images is perfect for vintage lovers and DIYers looking for images to craft with. The best part is that their library includes a lot of images I haven’t seen a million places before. Today, I’m sharing just one idea for how to use a vintage image in a DIY, but the possibilities are endless.

Supplies

blank tote bag
Mod Podge image transfer
sponge brush
waxed paper or silicon craft mat
vintage image from Vintagerio
scissors
washcloth
a sink

Directions

phase 1: prep

Download your favorite Vintagerio image (my two biblio-picks: miss muffet & use your library). Using photo editing software or a free site like Pixlr, flip your image horizontally, particularly if it’s got text on it. If you don’t flip it, the text will read backwards when it’s transferred.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Print your reversed image on a laser printer. Most home printers are inkjet, which doesn’t work with Mod Podge image transfer formula. (I got my image printed at my local shipping store.) Next, cut away excess paper from your print out, and prep your tote bag by washing, drying and ironing it.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

phase 2: transfer your image

Apply a very generous layer of Mod Podge image transfer formula to the ink side of your image with a sponge brush, covering it all in about a 1/16″ layer, all the way to the edges. You should work on waxed paper or a silicon craft mat so you can spread your Mod Podge past your image and onto your work surface.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Carefully lift your Podged image from your work surface and center it on your tote bag. Put a piece of cardboard or an old magazine inside your tote so the Podge doesn’t seep through to the back of the bag, gluing it shut.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Press down on your image, ensuring there are no bubbles and that the whole image, including the edges, are pressed into the tote.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

If some of the Podge leaks out of the edges, use a damp rag to wipe it up while it’s still wet. When your image is all pressed down, let dry for 24 hours. 

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

phase 3: removing the paper

Before you get to work the next day, double check that your Podge has dried 100%. If it has, get a small bowl of water and a rag or washcloth. Dampen your paper thoroughly.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

Rub off the paper with your damp cloth, working in circles to break it down. The paper will begin peeling off, as shown.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

When you think most of your paper is removed, I recommend rinsing off the little pieces of paper and continuing to rub off the paper a little more. If not all of the paper is removed, your image will look a little like you’re looking though a film when it’s dry.

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

It took me a few rounds to get all of the paper off completely, but I love the finished tote!

Vintage Poster Library Tote - Mod Podge Image Transfer Tutorial at handsoccupied.com

This post was brought to you by Vintagerio, who I’d like to thank for supporting Hands Occupied and being a true pleasure to collaborate with. 

—

Jillee Bean and the One Good Thing by Jill Nystul - Children's Book Pick at handsoccupied.com

PS: This tote is the perfect size for children’s books, and in mine is my buddy Jillee’s new children’s book, Jillee Bean and the One Good Thing. It teaches kids about the value of doing small kindnesses, and that kindness can be just as rewarding as a sports trophy or perfect grades.

Filed Under: Back to School, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, How-to Tagged With: image transfer, library tote, little miss muffet, mod podge image transfer, picture book, tote, vintagerio, works progress administration, wpa

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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1. I knit this bottom up with scraps and ran out of black yarn. If the vest consistently drifts down her chest upon wear, I might extend the collar or redo the chest panel at a smaller size. If you’ve read this far, what do you think? As a designer, I so rarely get to improvise a knitting project, and I’m having fun working with fewer rules than usual. 🧶
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