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Create the perfect carryall for your dance shoes with this mesh drawstring bag. Lightweight mesh is breathable, meaning it's a great choice when looking for a bag that will protect your shoes while letting them dry after every use. Learn how to make this dance shoe bag by following these instructions.
Supplies
Project Needs & Notes
- 1/3 yard mesh fabric (I found mine in the utility fabrics section at Joann Fabrics)
- 1/4 yard print cotton fabric (I used quilter's cotton)
- 1/4 yard sturdy cotton fabric like denim, twill, or canvas (I used canvas)
- Heavy-weight water soluble stabilizer (like Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Temporary spray adhesive
- Air-erase pen
- 1 1/4 yards cord and safety pin
- 1/2 yard decorative trim and fabric glue
For this tutorial, I used the extra large size of the Ballet Dance Shoes design. You can find even more dance designs in the Dance & Gymnastics department here. Be sure to choose designs that have filled in areas, as light and airy designs will not hold up well on the mesh fabric.
Designs Used
First, cut a piece of the mesh fabric to 10" x 26". Using an air-erase pen, measure and mark 13" down along each side edge starting at each top corner. Draw a line between the marks. The fabric will be folded along this line later on.
Print the design from embroidery software to make a template. If you don't have software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program that can print templates.
Place the template on the top section of the fabric above the line you just drew. Center it, mark the center point and the horizontal and vertical axis points, then connect these marks.
Hoop two pieces of the water soluble stabilizer with the mesh fabric -- make sure the fabric is sandwiched between the stabilizer.
Embroider the design.
Trim the excess stabilizer away. Then, soak the pieces in water to remove the remaining stabilizer.
Check your stabilizer's package instructions to see how long to soak the stabilizer.
Blot, and allow to air-dry. When the pieces are completely dry, press with an iron. Use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching.
Fold the fabric together, right sides together, with the top and bottom edges (short ends) aligned. Sew a 1/2" seam along the side edges only. Leave the top edge open for turning. Turn the fabric right side out.
To prepare the fabric for the outer shell of the top of the bag, cut two pieces of print cotton fabric to 10" x 6 1/2". Align the pieces, right sides together, and pin in place. Sew a 1/2" seam along each side edge down from each top corner 1 1/2". Then, leave one inch open and continue down along each side edge to the bottom edge of the fabric (leave the entire top and bottom edges open).
Fold the side seam allowances back and glue them in place with fabric glue. This will keep the fabric from fraying after the drawstring cord is added.
To prepare the fabric for the inner lining of the top of the bag, cut two pieces of sturdy cotton fabric to 10" x 6 1/2". Align the pieces, right sides together, and pin in place. Sew a 1/2" seam along the entire side edges of the fabric only (leave the top and bottom edges open).
Press the side seams open and insert the outer shell inside the inner lining with the right sides together. Align the side seams and the top and bottom edges. Pin in place and sew a 1/2" seam along the entire top edge of the fabric.
Turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Press the top seam and top stitch a 1/8" seam around the entire top edge of the fabric. Also, sew a seam around the entire top edge of the bag starting at the top edge of the 1" drawstring pocket openings.
Then, sew another seam around the entire bag starting at the bottom edge of the drawstring pocket openings. Turn the fabric of the bottom edges of both layers of fabric in to the wrong side 1/2" and press.
Insert the top edge of the mesh in-between the layers of fabric of the top portion of the bag. Allow about 3/4" of the top edge of the bottom portion to extend inside the top portion.
Pin in place and sew a 1/4" seam along the folded bottom edge of the top portion.
To add the drawstring, attach a safety pin to the end of the cord and work it through the drawstring pockets, threading it all the way around the bag and through the pockets on both sides.
Thread the drawstring through the pocket (on the side you started on) one more time -- this creates a loop so when both sides of the cord are pulled, it will cinch the bag closed. Tie knots at each end of the cord large enough so the ends of the cord cannot be easily pulled back through the pockets.
Add decorative trim to the bag by applying drops of fabric glue to the bag and pressing the trim in place.
This fabulous bag is a chic way to carry your dance shoes in style. Customize it for your favorite type of dance -- ballet, square dancing, tap, and more!
