Hooray, my daughter finally has a bag for her ballet gear. A year ago I did some pattern testing for Juliet from Tartan Kiwi, the pattern was these paper pieced ballet shoes.
I knew I wanted to turn them into a ballet bag but couldn’t decide what bag to make. Then a few weeks ago Svetlana asked for testers for her new drawstring bag pattern. I said yes straight away, it seemed like a great way to get this ballet bag actually made. Nothing like a deadline for me to get something finished!
Svetlana’s latest pattern comes together so easily and has a really neat way of boxing the corners that I’ve never come across before but is so easy and fast! I love learning new techniques!
It did take me a while to figure out the best way to incorporate the shoes into the bag panel. In the end I simply added more of the Juliana Horner print to the sides and the bottom of the block. It makes the ballet feet look as if they’re airborne which wasn’t exactly the look I was going for but I can live with that. I’m just happy that my daughter’s ballet costume and shoes can finally be kept in one place.
A few notes;
The finished bag is 15.5″ tall by 15″ wide.
The drawstring tote bag pattern can be found in Svetlana’s Etsy shop here.
The ballet shoes can be found in Juliet’s Etsy shop here.
15 thoughts to “A Ballet Bag”
Love it! I haven't seen corners boxed like that before either 🙂 looks neat though and I am sure you and your daughter are thrilled. Love that pattern… it is one of my favourites 🙂
This is such a gorgeous tote bag Rachel, I think those ballet shoes look perfect just the way you placed them. Thanks for testing this pattern for me, you're the best!!!
Your Ballet Bag is amazing. Great job!
Love the bag with the ballet shoes! It reminds me of a water colour painting I once made.
I'm sure your daughter will be the envy of the ballet class now. Other mums will be asking you to make one for their daughters too. If you're willing to do that, just be sure to charge enough – at least $25 / $30 I'd say. (just my 2 cents worth – feel free to ignore if you know them well).
Great! Dream bag for a ballet girl! Intrigued by the corners, can't quite figure it out? Drawstring & handles look like good combo
Goregous! Lovely colours Rachel, your daughter will love it. I've just made my little ballerina a pouch for all her ballet hair 'stuff'. What does your daughter put her hair things in?
So good to see the finished bag- I hope your daughter loves it. Looks like a great bag pattern.
Those boxed corners look really nifty!
Your thoughts about shoes in the air came to my mind immediately, too, but the bag is beautiful nevertheless. I love those origami corners. Have to try that, too.
Your thoughts about shoes in the air came to my mind immediately, too, but the bag is beautiful nevertheless. I love those origami corners. Have to try that, too.
What a beautiful ballet bag you have made! The shoes do look that they in in a dance step!
So pretty!
Susie
Beautiful!
what a great ballet bag – and the boxed corners look fantastic.
It is not heavy (though it depends on how much you can fit), it is soft fabric. Stitching of best handbag brands is perfect and the hardware of the purse doesn't look cheap at all. The handles are only long enough to be carried by hand, but it does have a strap that can be added to it.