Cowboy Boot Wine Tote Embroidery Project

Gather the materials and read through the instructions before beginning. Print out a paper template of the design and color sequence. Though not shown in the pattern instructions, I wanted a firmer boot so I backed the assembled boot parts and sole with Pellon 70 Ultra Firm Stabilizer. This is very stiff and made it a bit difficult to sew the sole onto the boot and turn the boot but in the end I was very happy with the results. If you have trouble working with your hands you will not want to do this. While working with this pattern and doing the project, I thought another way to add some stability would be to quilt the boot pieces after assembly and also quilt the sole. I have not tried this but it was another thought. Follow the pattern instructions for purchasing the fabrics and assembly of the tote. Measure the pattern area (upper boot) for the embroidery and re-size the embroidery design if needed. The design used for the project was re-sized to 5” in width.

When using a fabric with a printed pattern, audition and choose an embroidery thread that will stand out when embroidered.

Read through the pattern instructions thoroughly before beginning and choose which fabrics will be used for which parts of the tote. Note: if I do this pattern again, I will use black fabric for the sole. The printed fabric I used tended to show a little bit after the toe was stuffed.

Analyze the print of the fabric and determine where the embroidery will show up the best. Cut out the paper template and pin it in place on the fabric. Assemble the upper boot pattern pieces, center and lay it over the design template and grace around the fabric with a chalk pencil onto the fabric.

Hoop the fabric with one layer of tearaway stabilizer. Load the design on the machine, center the needle over the center of the template, and stitch the design.

After the design has finished stitching, remove the fabric from the hoop and remove the excess stabilizer.

Follow the pattern instructions for tracing the pattern pieces onto the fusible product (I used Heat ‘n Bond Lite for this project). Press the fusible to the wrong side of the appropriate fabric and cut out the pattern pieces. Assemble and press the fabrics together according to the pattern instructions.

Align the boot bottom over the top and press into place as noted in the pattern instructions.

This is where I varied the instructions. I fused the Heat ‘n Bond Lite to the back each full boot piece and then pressed it on to the Pellon 70 and then cut each boot piece out of the Pellon. I also did fused the sole fabric piece to the Pellon 70 and cut it out.

The pattern instructions say to stitch around certain areas of the boot bottom. I used a satin stitch for the heel/sole area and a blanket stitch for the upper foot section in red. I used black embroidery thread to do the stitching.

I was able to ease the sole onto the boot bottom even though it was backed with the Pellon 70. I used a 2.5mm stitch length and stitched twice around the sole. The heavy stabilizer did make it more difficult to work with, but it made the boot stiffer.

Instead of binding the top edge I just cut the lining piece as instructed and lined the top of the boot and then added the grommets as stated in the pattern instructions. Purchase a good wine and insert into the boot for the perfect holiday gift.

Congratulations on completing the Wine Boot Tote…Cheers!