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.

Go Fish

This year for Christmas I made my nieces a fishing game. I got the idea, as well as the patterns for the fish and worms, here.

I started with a large piece of green felt for the base, then cut out a pond from blue felt and sewed it onto the green felt. I then sewed three concentric shapes on the inside, following the shape of the pond, and added a lily pad. The brown tackle box in the corner holds the fish when not in use and is held shut by velcro.

To make each fish, I doubled a piece of felt, traced my fish pattern onto it, then sewed along the outline. I filled the middle of each fish with polyester stuffing to give it some volume, and used the alphabet setting on my sewing machine to embroider a letter "O" for the eyes. There are magnets in the head of each fish so that the fish can be "caught".
Keep in mind when sewing you fish that you will need to leave openings to insert the magnet and stuffing. Here's the method that worked best for me:

(Note: These pictures were taken after cutting out the fish; however I did all the sewing first, as shown here)



Start at the top of the tail fin and curve back around, leaving a small opening

Insert the magnet into the head



Sew the head closed and continue around the bottom fin



Add stuffing

Sew around the top and tail fins, closing the body of the fish

Add eye, mouth, and details to tail fin

The last step is to cut around the outline of the fish, removing the excess felt. You can follow similar steps to make the worms. I also added eyelets to the end of each worm using my crop-a-dile and attached string using small lanyard hooks.

I used dowel rods for the fishing poles and painted them to coordinate with the colors of the fish (purple, magenta, and goldenrod). Instead of using screw eyes, I just drilled holes through the dowel rods and tied the string through the hole.

Go fish!