DIY Mermaid Tote Bag With Cut File

Learn how to make your own cute mermaid DIY tote bag with this easy tutorial and free cut file.  You can never have too many tote bags and I’ve come to the conclusion that every mermaid needs a Mermaid Off Duty Tote!

This “Mermaid Off Duty” tote bag is perfect for so many things.  Use it as a beach or pool bag, use it to hold your school supplies or use it as a shopping bag.  I just love the way it turned out and I especially love the free design that you can download from the supply list.  So, gather your supplies for this easy DIY project and have fun making your very own mermaid tote bag.

Supplies needed to make your own mermaid DIY tote:

• White Tote Bag
• Cutting Machine
• Holographic Heat Transfer Vinyl
• Cricut Basic Tool Set – I love these scissors!
• Iron
• “Mermaid Off Duty” Cut File (SVG, PNG)
• Chain Tassels
• Starfish Charms
• Gold Key Ring Lobsters
• Pliers

Step 1.  Open the file in your cutting machine software.  Scale the design to the size you want for your project and let your vinyl cutter work it’s magic.  Make sure to mirror the image since we are using iron-on vinyl.

Step 2.  After the image is cut, use your weeding tool to remove vinyl from around the image and inside the letters.

Step 3.  Set your iron to the wool setting and make sure the steam setting is turned off.  Use the iron to preheat the area of the material where you will be applying your cut image for 10-15 seconds.  Place the weeded image, liner side up, onto the preheated material. Place the iron directly onto the liner with medium pressure, moving the iron continually in a slow circular motion over the entire image for 50 seconds.  Let cool for 1-2 minutes and remove plastic film from image.

Step 4.  Make a fun tassel for your tote bag by adding the chain tassel to the lobster hook using the pliers. I took off the key ring part but feel free to keep it.  I also added a small starfish charm because when I think of mermaids I also think of starfish.

Now, fill up your gorgeous tote with everything you need and show off your mermaid DIY tote to all your friends.

Kara Harvey

Kara Harvey, owner of Happy Go Lucky, is passionate about showing her readers that if she can do it, they can do it too. She shares projects and recipes that don’t require a lot of supplies or ingredients.