I don't know about your children, but mine LOVE to go for overnight visit at Grandma and Grandpa's. They love taking their little bag and heading out the door. On the drive over my son will tell me how he will go inside and I will stay in the car and go home. It is funny to hear him talk about all the fun he will have without his parents around. My baby girl just loves to play with her Grandparents. She is always happy to visit. That is how the "To Grandma's House Bag" was born.
This cute overnight bag is really great for any little one. Your kids or grandkids will love this bag, plus you can make it especially to their tastes. We used my baby girls to pack all her things on our recent road trip to see her aunt. She loved dragging it around the house.
Even if your trip is short, this is a great bag to carry on to the plane or just pack toys and snacks. Has some great pockets on the inside and a fun curved pocket on the outside. Pretty much too fun and really functional.
Materials Needed:
-3/4 yard fabric
such as cotton, lightweight bottom weights or denims (If you want contrasting fabrics, you'll need more)
-2 - 12"
pieces of ribbon/webbing for straps
-2 - 22" Separating
Zipper (or longer)
-3 yards bias tape
-3 pkg piping
-15" of 1/4" elastic
-15" of 1/4" elastic
-Heavy weight Interfacing
(iron on or sewn on)
-Thread
Begin by cutting out all your pieces. Use the chart below to help:
Step 1
Match your interfacing pieces with the correct fabric pieces. Either iron or pin pieces together to help make the process faster.
With Right Sides Together
(RST), place two outside pocket pieces together. Draw a curved shape on the two. Stitch along the curve. Cut a 1/2" seam allowance next to the
curve. Clip every 2-3 inches around the
curve. Turn the pieces right side out
and press. Topstitch along the curve.
Repeat with the other large
outside pocket.
Step 3
Place outside front layers
together. First, interfacing, Outside
bag front, large outside pocket, small outside pocket. Stitch around the 4 sides at 1/4" to
keep layers together.
Repeat this step with the bag back and interfacing.
Step 4
Grab your bias tape and
piping. Place piping inside the bias
tape and stitch in the ditch to create your piping.
Check out this tutorial on making your own bias tape.
Step 5
On the center top pin down
your handle. Next pin the piping around
the outside of the bag front. Make sure
the raw edge of the piping is matched to the raw edge of the bag front. Overlap the piping on the bottom of the bag
front.
Repeat step with bag back, handle and piping.
Step 6
Next take the long bag middle
piece. Fold in half and stitch the ends
together. Repeat with other middle piece
and middle lining pieces.
With RST, pin it around the bag front. Similar to the last step you will match the
raw edges of the piping and the middle pieces.
Repeat with bag back.
Step 7
Unzip separating zipper. Place one side of the zipper around the
middle piece of front bag. The ends of
the zipper should overlap at the top of the bag. There will be a "gap" at the bottom of the bag where the zippers won't touch. We will address that later. Stitch zipper to bag. Repeat with opposite side and opposite zipper.
With RST, take the middle lining piece and pin it to
the zipper matching raw edges. Stitch in
place around the bag. Repeat with bag
back.
Step 8
Next, take your inside pocket
piece. Iron or sew on your
interfacing. Fold the top long edge of
the pocket down 1/4" and then down 3/4" and press. Stitch across the fold to make a casing. Take your elastic piece and thread it through
your casing. Stitch down one side of the
elastic and then continue threading elastic through casing. Stitch down your elastic at the other end of
the casing.
Step 9
Place the inside front right
side up on the table. Place the pocket
over the front. stitch around the pocket
outsides. Then stitch down the pockets
to create smaller pockets if desired.
Step 10
Place bag front with right side up on the
table. Place the inside front wrong side
up over the front. Pin and stitch around
the outside. Leave a 4" hole for
flipping later.
Step 11
Turn bag front right side out
though the hole. Press. Pin the hole together and stitch closed.
Repeat steps 10 & 11 for
the bag back and inside pieces.
Step 12
Zip your bag front and bag back pieces
together. Take the bottom rectangle
piece and press all the raw edges towards the wrong side 1/2". Pin to the bottom of the bag and stitch
around to cover the zipper and any opening on the bottom of the bag.
This is so perfect. A Grandmother in Oklahoma!
ReplyDeleteThis is my project today for a 12 almost 13 year old Granddaughter that I don't know as well as my other ones. I'm using Paris fabric can't wait to see it done. Thank you for such a great tut
ReplyDeleteI'M JUST GETTING THE URGE TO TRY MY HAND SEWING AFTER A 40+ YEAR HIATUS, SO I WON'T BE STARTING WITH THIS PROJECT (EVEN THOUGH I THINK YOUR TUTORIAL IS GREAT). BUT, I DO LIKE YOUR BLOG AND SEVERAL OF YOUR PROJECTS SEEM EASY ENOUGH FOR MY FIRST EFFORT.. THE TERM YOGA WAISTBAND IS NEW TO ME, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT AND HOW IT IS MADE?
ReplyDeleteEthel, a yoga waistband is one made with a good knit or stretch fabric and no elastic. You'd want the waistband to be several inches shorter than what the actual waist measurement was. Glad you enjoy the blog!
DeleteThis is such a fantastic bag - and great for children to pack for a visit to Grandparents - I had better get busy making 5 of these for my grandchildren!! thanks
ReplyDeletePauline
perry94022 at hotmail dot com
Can't wait to see what you make Pauline! Make sure to share your finished projects. You can join our GYCT Facebook group if you need help and to share. https://www.facebook.com/groups/609321419143029/
DeleteThis is a great little bag. I plan to make a few for my grandchildren! Thanks for a great project.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me what the 3 dimensions are for the finished bag. I may need to make mine wider to hold my Mah Jong tiles and racks. I'll also use a sheet of heavy plastic as a stiffener on the non-pocket side.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia, the bag is 16"w x 12"L x 4" D. It is a good size, but depending on what you are planning to use it for, may need to be wider.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteCan you estimated how long this project took you?
thanks!
Chanes, I couldn't say for sure. Probably 3-4 hours. Mostly because I was planning and taking pictures as I went. If you are an experienced sewer, you probably could do it in less time.
DeleteThank you so much! My granddaughter will love this suitcase.
ReplyDeleteLove this bag . Its what my daughter wants for her son. Since I love to sew , I plan to make one for my grandson.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the tutorial