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Sunday, August 7, 2011

I Spy Bag {a tutorial}

This was such a fun and easy little project!  It has been on my to do list for literally years! 


I finally got around to making them, and wanted to share with you how you can make one too!



Supplies needed

1/4 yard fabric
1/8 yard clear vinyl (found at all fabric stores, and even wal-mart!)
Plastic Pellets (found on doll aisle at Hobby Lobby)
Miniatures
Sewing machine
Scissors


Start by cutting out all your fabric

You will need:
Two strips measuring 4.75"x2"
two strips measuring in 7.75"x2"
A square piece of fabric for the back measuring 7.75"x7.75"
Clear vinyl measuring 4.75"x4.75"






Sew the two 4.75"x2" strips to opposite sides of your vinyl, like this-





Take one of your 7.75"x2" strips and pin it, right sides together, to your square.  




Sew it.  Should now look like this:



Take your other 7.75" x 2" strip and pin it to your square.  
Right sides together!!


Sew it, and it should look like this:






Now, take your back piece (7.75" x 7.75") and pin it to your completed square, right sides together.









Sew all four sides, leaving a small gap on one side to pour in your plastic pellets and miniatures.  Like so:





Turn your bag right side out, and iron if you think it needs it.
(do NOT iron the vinyl....just the fabric)



Now for the fun part!

Choose your miniatures.  I found all mine in the scrapbooking aisle at Hobby Lobby and on the dollhouse aisle. 





I love miniature stuff!  Some of my favorites:


 Click to enlarge and see the cuteness!







I  let my kiddos choose which ones they wanted in their bags.





Next up, add the plastic pellets.  I used 2.5 cups for each bag.






Sew your hole closed, and now you have an I Spy bag!!






Close ups:

Mr. A's bag



Miss J's bag



I added a tag to each bag with a picture list of everything inside.  It helps me turn it into a game for them.  I just say "can you find the ____ ?"



I found clip art images of the items, and used Word to make the tags.  Each tag is 4"x4", and is laminated for durability.



To attach the tags to the bags, I used large eyelets (also called grommets).



All Done!


17 comments:

  1. How cute! Thanks so much for sharing! I am putting this on my to-do list for my daughter.


    I'd love to have you visit our first linky party this Thursday! It's a party specifically for kids and teenagers craft and other ideas, so your idea will be absolutely perfect! Hope you'll stop by!

    bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday - - I just featured you on my FB page!

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  3. adorable! saw you on Sugar Bee's link party.

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  4. This is such a cute idea. I will have to make some of these for my kids.

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  5. I have seen these done before, but they were round. I like your square ones better. I also really like the idea of attaching the tag so they know what to look for. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  6. I just found this blog and you know what? Awesome. This is the blog that I looking for. Great ideas and invention. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sarah! What a great project! Perfect for a car trip! Or waiting....at the dr's office. Awesome! btw, I just started a blog hop on nursery & tot room decor and if you'd like to link up your kids' rooms or decor projects, I'd love to have you! Here's the direct link: http://playfuldecor.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesdays-nursery.html

    Have a great week! Nan

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  8. Wonderful! Awesome!
    Thanks, Sarah!

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  9. I am very glad I saw these as I made several for my son's school fete and that were all sold out very quickly.
    Thank you very much.
    Mel.B

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  10. I was wondering what kind of stitch you used? Were you ever worried about them coming apart? And if you made them again would you layer your fabric so you don't see the back sides from the inside? Does that make sense? I can't decide if I want the back piece to be double sided or not. This tutorial seems so easy. I'm going to start cutting my fabric RIGHT NOW!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, this is ingenious, I am very impressed! Your blog is full of great ideas, thanks

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  12. Thank you so much for your great tutorial. I just finished sewing two bags for my great-nieces, now I need to go get a grommet tool and I'll be done. This was such a great, easy-to-follow tutorial, thanks again :)

    ReplyDelete
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