Tutu Tote. Project Needs & Notes

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1 Tutu Tote Any little princess will love this fancy tote bag! Not only does a skirt of fun fabric give it a tutu-inspired look, but bright colors and embroidery make it a charming dance or overnight bag. Project Needs & Notes - 1/2 yard canvas or other sturdy fabric for outer shell - 1/2 yard print lightweight canvas for inner lining - 3/4 yard (total) 58" long sheer organza, tulle, or mesh (can use three different fabrics, 1/4 yard each) - Medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer - Air-erase pen for marking - 1 yard of 1 1/2" wide decorative trim (velvet trim is used in this example) - 1 yard of 1" wide strapping The design featured in this project is H2317, Napoleonic Bee Flourish. Designs that fit within a 12" x 3.5" area work well on this bag. Finished Size: 8 1/2" x 11" x 6 1/4" deep This project was featured in the following: Totally Totes Lookbook Cut a piece of canvas to 16" x 16". A template is a printout of a design, and it's an excellent tool to plan where to stitch.

2 Print a template of the design from your embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program to use. Arrange the template on the fabric with the top oedge of the design about 1 1/2" from the top edge of the fabric. Placing the design near the top allows ample room for the tutu to be added later. Center the template between the sides. After the template is where you want to stitch the design, mark the center point as well as the horizontal and vertical axis lines. Remove the template and draw lines connecting the marks. Hoop the fabric with a piece of cutaway stabilizer, lining up the marks on the fabric with the marks on the hoop. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so the needle is right over the center point. Embroider the design. A 75/11 or

3 size 11 sharp sewing needle works well when embroidering on canvas. After embroidering, trim the excess stabilizer away from the back. Leave about 1/2" around the design. Cut a piece of fabric to 16" x 16" for the back of the tote. Measure and make marks 5 1/2" down along each side edge of the fabric pieces (front and back) starting at the top corners. Draw lines connecting the marks. This line will be used to position the fabric of the tutu.

4 Align the front and back pieces together, right sides together. Pin in place. Sew a 1/2" seam along the side and bottom edges only. Align the side seams with the bottom seam and pin in place. Measure and mark 3" in from the bottom corners. Draw a line at the mark perpendicular to the seam. Sew a seam along the line and then trim the fabric, leaving 1/4" of excess next to the seam. Turn the fabric right side out. Add the sheer fabric to create the tutu effect. Cut a piece of fabric (organza is used here) to 58" wide by 6 1/2" high. Starting at one of the side seams, align the top edge of the fabric with the drawn line on the outer shell. Pin in place at the seam. Sew a 1/4" seam along the entire top edge of the fabric. Fold the fabric over 1/2" about every inch creating pleats as you sew.

5 Cut another piece of organza to 58" wide by 6 1/2" high. Pin the fabric in place at the side seam over the first fabric layer and sew in place just as you did for the first layer. Cut the third and final piece of organza to 58" wide by 5" high. Sew the fabric in place over the second layer just as you did the first two layers. To add the trim, pin it in place starting at one of the side edges. Wrap the trim around the entire outer shell cover up the top edge of the sheer fabric. Fold the end of the trim over 1/4" when you reach the start and pin in place. Sew a 1/4" seam along the entire top and bottom edges of the trim. Cut two pieces of the strapping to 18" long. Pin the ends of the straps along the top edge of the outer shell about 3" in from each side seam. Allow about 1/4" of the strap to extend up over the top edge of the fabric.

6 To prepare the inner lining, cut two pieces of the print fabric to 16" by 16". Align the pieces together, pin in place, and sew a 1/2" seam along the side and bottom edges only. Create corners along the bottom of the lining just as you did for the outer shell. Insert the outer shell inside the inner lining, right sides together, with the straps tucked inside. Sew a 1/2" seam along the top edge leaving about 6" open in between the ends of the straps along one side. Turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Press the seams with an iron. Turn the fabric of the opening in 1/2" and press. Top stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire top edge of the tote. Give this tote to your favorite little one, or make it for anyone who enjoys a little magic in their life.

7 They'll dance with joy when they see this delightful tote. This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page. Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.

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