DIY.. Velcro Kids Activity Bag

My husband and I like to dine out and usually bring our 2 1/2 year old son Tanner with us. Over the last 12 months it has gone from an easy dinner to total chaos.

We always bring a bag stuffed full of goodies for his entertainment. It’s messy and irritates us everytime we use it. For quite some time I’ve envisioned sewing a special bag that keeps everything nice and neat. The sides would “open” and be secured with strips of VELCRO® Brand product.  Tanner could see everything inside because of clear pockets.

So with another family night looming on the horizon, I knew it was the perfect time to get my project rolling!

 

Materials needed:

1. Cotton fabric – 2 colors, 1/2 yard of each
2. Fusible interfacing – Pellon SF works great, 1/2 yard
3. VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible Sew-On Fasteners – 1 box
4. Clear vinyl – 8 gauge, 1/2 yard
5. Webbing for straps – 1/2 yard
6. Bias tape – store bought or home-made
7. Sewing supplies
8. Disappearing fabric ink pen
9. Cutting mat, rotary cutter and quilting ruler
10. Wonder clips – optional
11. Sewing machine
12. Iron and ironing board

Before we get started you will need to do the following:

Cut your pieces:

1. Main and lining fabric – cut 2 rectangles measuring 29″ L x 13-1/2″W
2. Fusible interfacing – cut 2 pieces measuring 29″ L x 13-1/2″W
3. Clear vinyl – cut 1 piece measuring 22″L x 13-1/2″W
4. VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible Sew-On Fasteners  – cut 2 pieces 12″ long
5. Webbing – cut 2 pieces 16″ long
6. Bias binding – cut 2 pieces 13-1/2″ long

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong sides of the main and lining fabrics.

Alright, let’s get started:

Step 1-  Turn and fold 1/2″  the short ends of both the main and lining pieces. Press in place with an iron.

Step 2 – Place the clear vinyl onto your working surface. Along the longer edge, measure inwards 5/8″ and make a small mark. Continue along the entire length and mark a very light dashed line. Open up the VELCRO® tape. At the 5/8″ dashed line, place one side of the VELCRO® tape. Continue on the same side and now place the other side of the VELCRO® tape. Secure with a pin. Place into your sewing machine and stitch the VELCRO® down. Repeat for the other side.

Step 3 – Now place the bias tape along each short side. Cover the VELCRO® ends. Place into your sewing machine and sew down. Cut off any extra bias tape off each end.

Step 4- Sandwich your materials. Lay the lining fabric down on your working surface, right side facing up. Next lay the vinyl rectangle down.  The right sides of the VELCRO® tape should be facing the lining fabric. Lastly, lay the main fabric on top of the vinyl. Main fabric should be facing right side down. Use wonder clips or pin in place. Remember that pins will leave holes in the vinyl, so pin carefully.

Step 5 – Place into your sewing machine and stitch the long sides together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Backstitch at each end. Gently pull the fabric right side out. Smooth in place.

Step 6 – Decide on strap length. Make sure each short end is still folded under 1/2″. Measure inwards 3″ from each side and insert the webbing strap. Pin in place. Stitch along the end to secure the straps. Repeat for the other side.

Step 7 – Fold and find the centre of the bag. It should be where the VELCRO® tape ends and begins. Place a ruler down along the center and mark a dashed line. Place into your sewing machine and stitch following the line. This completes the bottom of the bag and the stitch line will hold all your goodies securely in each side.

That’s it.  A super easy project and a perfect bag for a family on the go! VELCRO® Brand provided me with the materials for this post, but all opinions are my own. If you remember from many previous blog posts.. I use their products quite often and love sewing with them.

Fabric – I LOVE this fabric, so I thought I would share the info.. It’s from Dear Stella Designs and the fabric collection is called “Seaworthy”.

Happy Sewing!