DIY Ballet Bag
Make this darling DIY Ballet Bag in no time! Perfect for your little dancer!
This was first posted nearly in 2008, and was one of the first projects I ever made with my Silhouette. It’s an easy, beginner project…and on up! I’ve also used this same method to make many different kinds of bags, and there are just so many options!
My girls love their new ballet bags, and they’re perfect for taking to their dance class. They’ve even used them other times, like small trips in the car, the library, or any other time they need to carry “their stuff”.
If you don’t have a Silhouette, you can certainly use an iron on transfer design you like and fabric/heat ‘n bond.
Easy DIY Ballet Bag: Silhouette Cameo Project
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ITEMS YOU NEED:
- canvas bag, or other fabric bag
- fabric, in two coordinating colors
- thread, notions
- Silhouette & heat transfer
- iron
OR
- fabric, and heat ‘n bond, and iron on transfer
DIRECTIONS:
First of all I want to say that you don’t have to have a Silhouette to make these bags. I would just look for an iron-on transfer of whatever you’re looking for. I’ve seen them at JoAnn Fabrics, and other sewing/hobby stores. You would use fabric and heat ‘n bond to create the name, following the package directions. The rest of it–the ruffle–is the same.
1. I found the ballet stick figure in the online Silhouette store, and the font I used for the names is Impervious. I cut it out, and ironed it on the bag.
2. Since the bag was already made, I couldn’t sew a ruffle directly onto it (at least that I knew how to do!). So, I took a piece of the black & white gingham fabric, and measured it to fit my bag. I then cut out about a 1 1/2 inch wide piece of the pink, the entire length of the fabric–about 36 inches.
3. I sewed the pink on to the gingham to make a ruffle, like I did HERE. I used one entire strip, and had to use a little of another one.
4. To attach the whole thing to the bag, I used wonder under, even though I wish I would have used heat ‘n bond. They do the same thing–wonder under you buy by the yard at the cutting desk, and heat ‘n bond you buy in packages or rolls. I find heat ‘n bond easier to use, but I think it’s a personal preference.
I LOVE them. They will be perfect for ballet shoes, leos, tutus, skirts, and maybe even a little snack. Can’t wait for ballet next week!
You could make these bags for a myriad of things–library books, groceries, teacher gifts (stuffed with school supplies), overnight or car trip bags…anything you like! They would also make darling gifts or party favors!
Other Silhouette projects you might like…
- Hello, Fall Wood Sign
- How to Easily Turn Any JPG or PNG Image Into a Silhouette Cut File
- DIY Wood Flag
- Labeled Makeup Organizer
Kierste Wade is a published author, blogger, and mom to six. With more than 20 years DIY and project experience, she has been sharing ideas on her blog since 2009. Focusing on simple and doable projects, she loves to share attainable ideas for all things home, holidays, and family. Kierste has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, HGTV, American Farmhouse Magazine (print and online) Taste of Home, Country Living, and more.
Such fun projects! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Hi, Kierste! I just ordered my Silhouette machine today, and I am SO excited!!! How long did yours take to come in? I love the projects you shared today. I think I'll have to make an entire Silhouette idea folder on my computer. ;)
Amanda! I'm so excited for you! It didn't take too long–about 4-5 days. Definitely make an idea folder–I have one, too! Let me know how it goes!
Cute, cute, cute! Love the bags. The burp rags would be adorable for my "almost-here" grandson. I've always wondered if I would use one enough to warrent the purchase, but just these ideas makes me think I would.
The burp rags are just to die for! I love the graphic on them!
Can you send me your spread sheet through email? I would love to see what you were going to try with your silhouette. I just got mine and I want to do some fun stuff, but just don't know where to start.
eric_danielle at netzero dot com
so cute!
cute projects! i so want to add one of these to the shopping cart and press enter :)
Those are so cute!! The silhouette people really chose the right person to send that too!
I always wondered how to work the ruffle or fabric onto an existing canvas bag. Now I know. So cute!! :)
Those ballet bags are absolutely adorable. Thank you so much for sharing the project. Excellent idea to sew the ruffle on the fabric strip and then heat and bond it to the bag. Simple. Elegant. Effective.
Such great Ideas!!!!. I love the burp cloths, so cute
those are so cute!!! the heat transfer option is the coolest of them all, hoping i win your giveaway so i can try it out!!
are you able to use any of your own fonts, or their selection? i cant remember if i read that on their site or not. have to check it out again {and drooL!}
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
these are just the cutest! tfs!
Danielle-I will send it! Give me a couple days to add to it, and then it's yours!
Kelly–You can use any fonts on your computer. LOVE that feature, because I have a lot of fonts and want to utilize them.
I am thinking the brown shirts with orange construction vehicles will be so very cute!! Its hard to find "cute" big boy shirts now these days!!
The burp cloths are so cute but I am wondering how they will wash up. I haven't tried an iron on yet because I am afraid after one wash it will come right off. Have you washed yours yet?
Cute stuff! I felt the same way. I've been staying up nights thinking of all the things I want to do!