DIY Puzzle Bags

Materials:

Extra wide double fold bias tape (1/2” wide)
12 or 16 gauge clear vinyl
Velcro
Coordinating thread

Instructions:

Measure the height and width of your puzzle, making sure to include the thickness of the puzzle. Add about 1-1.5 inches to the width so that you can easily slide your puzzle in and out. You are essentially making a vinyl envelope, so you will need to double the height of the puzzle and add a few more inches for the flap. For example, a standard sized wooden Melissa and Doug puzzle measures approximately 12.5” W x 9” H. I cut my vinyl to 13.5” x 22”.

Make a mark on each long edge, approximately 5” in from one of the short edges. This will be the top of your envelope, and you will end up with a 5” flap.

Set your stitch length to 3.5. On the opposite short end, sew a strip of bias tape. Back stitch at both ends and trim any excess bias tape. (Tip: I highly recommend using Clover Wonder Clips (http://www.amazon.com/Clover-Wonder-Clips-Per-Pack/dp/B004ZKPX8A) when sewing with vinyl, as they do not leave holes and are easy to reposition).

Next, cut a 3” long strip of velcro. Set your machine to a zig-zag stitch with stitch length of 2.5. Attach the hook side (scratchy side) approximately 2.5” in from the edge you have just encased in bias tape, centering it. I find it helpful to use a small piece of painters tape to mark where I want to place the velcro. Sew around all four edges of the velcro with a zig-zag stitch.

Fold the edge with bias tape/velcro up to the 5” flap marks you made earlier and clip in place. Make sure the velcro is facing out. Fold one end of the bias tape into a triangle then fold down. 

Beginning at one of the bottom corners, sandwich both layers of vinyl inside your bias tape.  Clip in place. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 3.5. Sew along the edge until you reach the first flap corner. Sew right up to the edge then backstitch. 

Remove the envelope from your machine and trim threads. Fold the corner and clip in place. 

Beginning a few stitches before the corner, sew around the corner and continue along the edge. Repeat steps for next flap corner. Continue sewing the bias tape around the edge of the envelope until you reach the end.

Fit your puzzle inside the envelope and close the flap snuggly. Mark where the loop/soft side of the velcro should go. (It’s best to place the soft side of the velcro on the flap so it doesn’t scratch your hand when you slide the puzzle in and out.) This should be approximately 3/4”-1” in from the edge. Make sure it is centered/lined up with the other side of the velcro. Attach to the inside of the flap with a zig-zag stitch, stitch length 2.5.

These bags are also useful for storing slightly thicker items.

My two year old daughter can easily open the bags and enjoys sliding her puzzles in and out. 

No more missing pieces! Now all your puzzles can be stored neatly together on the shelf.

Nesting Bags

I recently had an Etsy order for 30 small nesting bags, in pink.

I'm thinking these must be for a baby shower...

Travel laundry and shoe bags

I've been meaning to make a travel laundry bag for the longest time. I usually just grab a plastic grocery bag and stuff it in my suitcase, but I wanted something that was reusable, and of course, pretty.  I had a couple of yards of blue linen left over from another project, which I used to sew a simple drawstring bag. (here's a good tutorial if you'd like to make your own). The lace panel on the front is actually a piece of fabric from an old blouse.

I also created a smaller version for my shoes, because who wants their dirty shoes packed next to their clean undies?

I used white cotton twill tape for the drawstrings and embroidered the word "laundry" onto the larger bag.

Zach laughed when he saw these and said they were very "Sarah."

Produce Bag Tutorial

I've had a couple requests for project tutorials, including my reusable produce bags. Here's the how-to:

Materials:
Mesh fabric (Update: The light-weight mesh didn't hold up as well as I would have liked. I've since made more bags using a slightly heavier polyester mesh)
2 spools of coordinating thread
Scissors or rotary cutter

Cut out a 13" x 36" piece of mesh. (Your bag will end up being approx 12" W by 17" H)

Using a straight stitch, hem both short ends of the fabric.

Fold fabric in half, right sides touching. Sew together long edges, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. To sew up the sides, I used a double stitch. I found that using a double needle strengthened the seam and cut down on time. However, you should experiment with your machine and find out which stitch works best. The mesh can be a little tricky to work with.

Trim any excess mesh from the edges, turn inside out, and you're done! If you'd like to make more than one size, use different colors of mesh so you can easily tell the difference.

In my next tutorial I'll share how to make nest place card holders.

Reusable Produce Bags

I made the switch to canvas shopping bags a while back, but was still using plastic produce bags for all my fruits and vegetables. At a recent trip to the grocery store, I looked into my cart and realized I had about 15 plastic produce bags. It occurred to me, when filling my canvas bags full of plastic ones, that I wasn't accomplishing much in the way of environmental friendliness. That's when I decided to make reusable mesh produce bags. They're easy to make, and because they're lightweight they won't add any more cost to your produce than the regular plastic bags. Each of our moms got a set for Mother's Day, along with a little broccoli.

Way Good Day Feature

My XOXO drawstring bags were featured on Way Good Day!

Hugs and Kisses

I always try to have at least one seasonal item in my etsy shop. I forwent New Years and settled on a more iconic holiday, Valentine's Day. My latest project is these embroidered XOXO Drawstring Bags. I'm pretty sure you'd be the coolest kid in class if you showed up to the Valentine's party with these little darlings filled with candy.

I'd like to leave you with a comparison of candy heart sayings from past to present:

Then

Be Mine

Kiss Me

Be True

Be Good

Sweet Talk

My Man

The One I Love

Now

You Go, Girl

Yeah Right

Email Me

UR Cute

No Way

Cool Dude

Chill Out

Nature Lover

Do Good

Sweet Harvey Letterpress Feature

Sweet Harvey Letterpress is featuring my pumpkin bags on her blog!

Broom Bags

I saw this idea for Halloween party favor bags and had been waiting for an occasion to make some. Each month our Sunday school class has dinner groups as a way for the couples to get to know one another better. Zach and I hosted an October group and I was excited to make the bags for our guests.

Using 8 brown craft sacks, a pair of scissors, twine, and some sticks I gathered from the yard, I was able to make 4 broom bags for $1.50 (plus the cost of candy to fill them). It only took about 10 minutes to make all four.

They also make really cute place settings