How to cover a branded logo on a bag

Whether you’ve received a bag with a logo that doesn’t quite suit your style or you simply want to personalize your accessory, covering or altering a logo on a bag can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. This guide will walk you through one method to effectively cover up a logo on a bag, giving it a fresh new look.

Why Cover a Logo?

Before diving into today’s method, you might be wondering why someone would want to cover a logo in the first place. There are a few reasons:

• Personalization: You might want to add your unique touch to the bag, making it stand out in a crowd.
• Brand Ambiguity: You may prefer not to advertise a brand you don’t personally endorse or recognize.
• Reusing and Recycling: Covering logos can breathe new life into an old bag, transforming it into something entirely new.

My friend recently gave me a high quality tote which she picked up from a works conference as one of the promotional items. Made from durable materials the reusable tote is not to be wasted. I hate our western disposable culture, but I’m also not so keen on promotional bags for a company I know nothing about!

It’s time to conceal the logo and add a splash of my personality to custom tote bags.

Today Im joining in the Sustainable Craft Challenge and this month out theme is TRANSFORMATION. I join some of my creative blog friends and we each bring a craft idea with a sustainable, recycled or upcycled twist. This was just the push I needed to finish this half written blog post!.

Earlier in the summer I attended the Festival of Quilts with Julie from Sum of their Stories – we had fun spotting handmade bags and creating reels of the different custom bags we spotted. This provided lots of inspiration for me.

This isn’t the first time I have covered company logos on promotional tote bags – check out my decorate a tote bag with applique post.

I have chosen to slash and pleat layers of fabric, working with scrap linen to make a large patch to cover the logo of the promo bag..

Start by working out the size you need to cover the logo on your bag, I have used a dinner plate to check sizing and as a template.

Cut three contrasting fabrics to your chosen size. I recommend marking with taylors chalk round your template on one fabric, cutting this precisely, then using this as your template for your other two fabrics.

Pin your three layers of fabric together to stop them moving around. Stitch a central line using a short stitch length such as 2, this will help prevent your stitching from unravelling. As you can see from the photograph below I have tried my best to follow the grain of the fabric. Although I love the look of fraying fabric I don’t want it to fray too much.

Using your presser foot as a guide stitch parallel lines approx 1/2″ apart.

Using a sharp pair of sewing scissors carefully cut through the top two layer of fabric only – do not cut through the third layer!! You have successfully slashed the fabric, the next step is pleating.

Using a quilter’s ruler and taylor’s chalk mark right angle lines – mine are 1 3/4″ apart. Machine stitch across folding the cut fabric in one direction.

For your next stitch line fold the fabric in the opposite direction. Now you have a completed patch ready to cover the logo on your tote bag. I have used fabric glue as the first step in securing the patch.

Followed by a double line of stitching all around the edge of the patch, being careful not to catch any of the other side of the bag!  This is the perfect way to fully secure your patch ready for frequent use of your new custom tote.

Lastly, trim any stray fabric!

If you love bag making, check out my many free tutorials for sewing your own totes.

Covering a logo on a bag not only gives you the chance to customize an accessory but also helps you create something uniquely yours. Whether you’re sewing on a patch, painting a new design, or using an appliqué, these methods allow you to transform a standard bag into a stylish statement piece. Get creative, and enjoy the process of making your bag truly your own!

Let’s take a look at what my creative blog friends have transformed for the Sustainable Craft Challenge.

Our Good Life : Transforming Mason Jars into Solar Lights

Purple Hues and Me: Busted Canvas on Bottle Transformation

Christine’s Crafts: Denim Jacket Upcycle

Modern on Monticello : Transformed Truck Suspension Spring to DIY Bird Feeder Stand

Sum of their stories: Embroidered Sweater Bag

Old Rock Farmhouse: Cultivating Autumn Arrangements

Decor Craft Design: Transform a Vintage Powder Case into a Jewelry Box

Enjoy your new to you tote 🙂