Carousel Ballet Bag

 

Child’s Pink Carousel Ballet Bag

by Cathie Filian

This whimsical child’s tote bag is just the right size to hold a pair of ballet slippers and leotard or other treasures. The stripes are created using ordinary school glue and masking tape as a resist.

Materials List

  • Rit Dye Fuchsia
  • Back to Basics White Tote Bag
  • Elmer’s Washable Clear School Glue
  • Masking Tape, 2” wide
  • 1 1/2 Yds. 7/8” wide Black Celebrate It Basic Ribbon
  • Beacon Gem-Tac Glue
  • FolkArt Pure Black Fabric Paint
  • 10 Pink Rhinestones, 8 small, 2 large
  • Beacon Gem-Tac Glue
  • Paint brush
  • Freezer paper
  • Craft Knife
  • Dyeing supplies: Rubber gloves, measuring cup, spoon, 2 gallon bucket or disposable container, plastic table cover

Instructions

  1. Prewash and dry tote bag to remove any sizing or finishes that may interfere with the absorption of the dyes.
  2. Cover work surface with a plastic cover.
  3. Lay dry bag on a flat surface. Place strips of masking tape diagonally across the bag, leaving ½” space between the strips.
  4. Brush a medium layer of Elmer’s Clear School on the bag between the strips of tape. 

    When dyeing, this creates a resist that will result in a striped pattern. Let the glue dry for 5 hours or use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. Remove masking tape.
  5. Wearing rubber gloves, mix one-half box of Fuchsia dye with 1 gallon very hot water; stir well. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water in the microwave or tea kettle. Immerse wrapped bag in dye bath for about 10 minutes or until desired color is reached.
  6. Remove bag from dye and rinse in cold water until water runs clear. Then wash bag in warm water with a mild detergent. Rinse and hang dry.
  7. Sew a strip of black ribbon around the top of the bag.
  8. Draw or trace a Horse Carousel design on non-waxed side of freezer paper. Cut out inside of shape to make a stencil. Using a warm iron, iron waxed side of paper stencil to bag, as shown. 

    Brush black fabric paint inside the stencil. Let paint dry. Heat set with a warm iron.
  9. Glue rhinestone accents to carousel. Tie a black bow to handle of bag.

Details