As many of you know, I spent most of the last two weeks getting ready for my daughter's birthday party. Rather than buying a bunch of stuff from the dollar store that would hit the garbage bin in five minutes, I decided to make "I Spy Bags." This way, I could still shop at the dollar store, but the kids would have something to keep them occupied and amused for hours; little did I know that this fascination would extend to parents as well!!
So, by reader request, here are the directions to make your own "I Spy Bags":
Materials needed:
-cut 1, 4x4 inch piece of 6 guage plastic
- cut 2, 3x4 inch pieces of fabric
- cut 2, 3x8 inch pieces of fabric
- cut 1, 7x7 inch piece of fabric (back)
- cut 1, 5x5 inch piece of white fabric, and bubble jet set, or use printable fabric on a printer
- cut 1, 4 1/2x 4 1/2 inch fusible web
- poly pellets (c. 1 1/2 cups)
- objects to be found (15-20)
- Using a 1/2 inch seam, stitch the 3x4 pieces of fabric to opposite sides of the plastic; afterwards, zigzag stitch along that seam allowance, to reinforce and secure the fabric
- once you have done this on both sides, your piece will look like this:
- again using a 1/2 inch seam, stitch the 3x8 inch fabric pieces to the remaining sides of fabric, again using a zigzag stitch along the seam allowance. When you are done, it will look like this:
You have now created the front of the bag, leaving a window for objects to be found. Once this is done, topstitch approx. 1/8 inch around the window, securing the fabric once again (yup, I like to make sure it is safe!!); centering your window to the middle, trim your square down to 7 inches.
Next, print your list of objects to be found on your white fabric, and fuse it to the backing fabric. Then, zigzag stitch around this piece, to reduce fraying, like this:
Now, you want to place the front and back pieces "right" sides together, and stitch around, using a generous 1/4" seam, leaving an opening to put your objects and pellets in; again, I stitch over this seam twice, to make it nice and secure.
Trim your corners, and turn your bag right side out; now, it is time to put your objects and poly pellets in the bag. Using either a large funnel or an icing bag, pour your objects and pellets into the bag; at the most, fill the bag 3/4 of the way to the top of your window, as you will want to leave room for moving things around in the bag.
Finally, tuck your seam in, and top stitch as close to the edge as possible around the whole bag, going twice around where the opening was. You will need to move the beads out of the way as you stitch, and take care not to let them spill when you start sewing your open seam closed.
If all goes as planned, you will now have an I Spy bag ready to give to someone special, that will be enjoyed for hours and hours on end!!
Notice the different fabric on this one? That's because I forgot to take a picture of the others, and they are now in the hands of happy little children!! This one belongs to my daughter - happy stitching!!
So, by reader request, here are the directions to make your own "I Spy Bags":
Materials needed:
-cut 1, 4x4 inch piece of 6 guage plastic
- cut 2, 3x4 inch pieces of fabric
- cut 2, 3x8 inch pieces of fabric
- cut 1, 7x7 inch piece of fabric (back)
- cut 1, 5x5 inch piece of white fabric, and bubble jet set, or use printable fabric on a printer
- cut 1, 4 1/2x 4 1/2 inch fusible web
- poly pellets (c. 1 1/2 cups)
- objects to be found (15-20)
- Using a 1/2 inch seam, stitch the 3x4 pieces of fabric to opposite sides of the plastic; afterwards, zigzag stitch along that seam allowance, to reinforce and secure the fabric
- once you have done this on both sides, your piece will look like this:
- again using a 1/2 inch seam, stitch the 3x8 inch fabric pieces to the remaining sides of fabric, again using a zigzag stitch along the seam allowance. When you are done, it will look like this:
You have now created the front of the bag, leaving a window for objects to be found. Once this is done, topstitch approx. 1/8 inch around the window, securing the fabric once again (yup, I like to make sure it is safe!!); centering your window to the middle, trim your square down to 7 inches.
Next, print your list of objects to be found on your white fabric, and fuse it to the backing fabric. Then, zigzag stitch around this piece, to reduce fraying, like this:
Now, you want to place the front and back pieces "right" sides together, and stitch around, using a generous 1/4" seam, leaving an opening to put your objects and pellets in; again, I stitch over this seam twice, to make it nice and secure.
Trim your corners, and turn your bag right side out; now, it is time to put your objects and poly pellets in the bag. Using either a large funnel or an icing bag, pour your objects and pellets into the bag; at the most, fill the bag 3/4 of the way to the top of your window, as you will want to leave room for moving things around in the bag.
Finally, tuck your seam in, and top stitch as close to the edge as possible around the whole bag, going twice around where the opening was. You will need to move the beads out of the way as you stitch, and take care not to let them spill when you start sewing your open seam closed.
If all goes as planned, you will now have an I Spy bag ready to give to someone special, that will be enjoyed for hours and hours on end!!
Notice the different fabric on this one? That's because I forgot to take a picture of the others, and they are now in the hands of happy little children!! This one belongs to my daughter - happy stitching!!
