The Next Chapter: Sewing

For the birthday parties Samuel was invited to, I went to Michael's in search of presents. I thought I would find something exciting, even though I wasn't too sure what to buy a 3 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. I'm not cheap by any means, but, man! I could spend over $20 on gifts! :( So I decided to make my own, and ended up spending $5 total. Here they are...

All wrapped up and ready to go! (I spelled her name wrong)

For Matthew, I made an art thing that holds crayons and a notepad.

Scrap fabric

Crayons and notepad

Sewed right sides together.

Leave an opening to flip and press it.

Find the middle so the pockets on both sides are the same.

I took a piece of paper and folded it to give me 8 evenly spaced marks. I marked them with straight pins.

The biggest pain is sewing the spots for the crayons. (We used to make tool pouches all the time in the Navy and these would hold wrenches and stuff. That's where I got the idea.) Start in the middle and work your way out so you don't bunch up the fabric.

I sewed a seam down the edge to keep the crayons from going to the bottom. Pile velcro on the left.

Hook velcro on the right. (Typically the hook wears out first so you want to sew that on the side you can easily remove it if need be. I wasn't too worried since you can get to either side.)

I did sew a line down both edges so the crayons and notepad wouldn't slide all the way to the back. That also left me a space to sew the velcro.

I'm not pleased that the crayon side bunched up, but overall it turned out really nice.

All ready to wrap!

For Lyla's birthday, I decided not to make the same thing. I remembered 25 years ago at my sister Amy's 2nd birthday she got a purse with stuff in it and LOVED it! So I decided to make a purse.

Scrap fabric from my stash. The green is actually lining from Samuel's stocking. I've had the pink since 2005. (?)

I cut 2 rectangles 7x20 inches long. (they are folded to 7x10)

I cut them apart.

One long strip of 2 1/2 inch fabric for a strap. It's easier to cut one long piece, sew it, turn it, press it, and then cut it in half then try and make 2 separate pieces. Unless your fabric isn't long enough.

I sewed the rectangles back together, and stitched the sides and the bottoem. I left the told open. I folded the fabric on the corners, sewed it, and then trimmed it. This gives a defined bottom to the purse. I sewed the handles to the outside fabric, tucked everything right sides together, sewed it, flipped it, and sewed a finished edge around the top. I apologize for the lack of pictures.( Call me, Rebecca, if you want me to go over it with you. It's easier then it sounds.)