Ballerina Tote Bag

I don’t know about the rest of you, but here in upper Indiana, we’ve had a VERY late spring. Β It’s FINALLY gotten warmer and the trees are flowering. Β And that means that I’ve been spending a bit more time outdoors…weeding. Β Yep. Β That glorious task. Β Weeding. Β It’s rewarding, but definitely hard work and often pretty dirty work. Β So I haven’t been sewing quite as much yet.

But I did start pulling out fabrics for my project for Ayumi’s Book Sew Along. Β And I found a fabric that grabbed me and said “use me!”. Β But not for Ayumi’s projects. Β For a project for my Caitlyn. Β A budding Ballerina.

Ballerina Tote Bag

I made this little lined tote bag for a tiny ballerina just getting ready to start lessons this summer. Β This mama KNOWS that her daughter will love being a ballerina. Β The girl already has some great moves without a single lesson and prances around all the time. Β lol Β Plus she has a good sense of rhythm and pitch (which makes me happy because I’m a singer and my dad happy because he’s a drummer). Β So music is in her genes (and I haven’t even gotten started on her father’s side and all the musical talent there).

Ballerina Tote Bag

I used a pre-made purchased pink webbing for the handles. Β They wrap completely around the bag. Β I’ve been wanting to try that style for a long time. Β I didn’t Β follow any particular pattern but merely looked at a lot of pictures of bags I wanted to try and figured it out as I went. Β I’m NOT a natural bag maker, but it’s good to push that 3 dimensional thinking for me every once in a while.

Ballerina Tote Bag

I had one 10″ x 10″ piece of this ballet fabric and I knew that it needed to be a pocket detail on the tote bag. Β It’s just darling. Β It was hard to cut into but it’s always good to use even a piece of fabric rather than just letting it lay in your stash. Β Oh I could just eat that fabric, it’s so cute. Β It’s a Kokka Japanese print for anyone looking. Β It actually comes in a few colorways, so find the one you love.

Ballerina Tote Bag

The body of the bag is made from an Essex Linen in Demin from Robert Kaufman. Β I added a light fusible interfacing to give it some body. Β The lining is a pink polka dot from someone…can’t remember. Β Riley Blake maybe? Β I’ve had it a LONG time. Β So happy to finally use some of it!

A box pleated, lined tote for the little ballerina in my house. Β She loves it and can’t wait to start her lessons. Β Don’t worry. Β I’ll take pictures of her in her little leotard, tights and shoes once we have them. Β She’s going to be uber cute…especially with her special tote bag just her size for her shoes.

9 thoughts on “Ballerina Tote Bag”

  1. Darling. I think fabric.com might have that print on clearance right now. I've been wanting to buy some . . . but there's the issue of having three boys (only).

  2. This is lovely. You did a fantastic job. I did something similar when our girl was little. Only she did Polynesian dancing. So I drew from the Hawaii fabrics. She is now 25, but still has the bags and clothes that where made. A very fond memory for her. And yes she is super musical also.

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