Dry Erase I-Spy Bag Tutorial

I thought it would be fun to take a different spin on the traditional I-Spy bags for my boys. Aaron is in preschool and can't read, so I came up with a dry-erase version. He can just mark off the pictures as he finds each object, then erase it all to use another day!

Tutorial:

Supplies Needed:

Pinking Shears (optional)

Fleece piece ( 8.5" x 16" )
Fleece piece (8.5"x6" ) for pocket

Rice

Odds and ends (buttons, erasers, etc.)

Dry Erase Marker

Plastic Vinyl ( 5"x6" ). I used some vinyl from a bag that a shower curtain came in.

Piece of paper cut down to 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" (this will be your window opening pattern)

 I arranged all of the objects on a sheet of white paper and snapped a photo. I had it printed to a 4x6 photo and then laminated it so that it would be wipe able.

 Mark the center of your fleece with a pin. Take your window pattern piece (4 1/2" x 5 1/2") and place it in the center of the bottom half of the fleece.

 Trace around it with a marker, then cut out the center square.

 Lay your vinyl on top, then flip it over and pin it. I know it would be easier to pin it while it is on top, but it is much easier to sew with the vinyl on the bottom and easier to take the pins out when they are on top while you are sewing.

(vinyl underneath)

 Line up the foot of your sewing machine with the edge of the window (3/8") and stitch around window (making sure that the vinyl is facing down. It sews smoothly this way).

 Fold your pocket piece over 1/2" and stitch across to hem the top.

 Place the pocket piece to the fleece on the opposite end of the vinyl window.

 Sew the pocket for your dry erase marker by measuring 1 1/2" in and stitching from the top of the pocket to the bottom.

 Then fold your fleece in half (right sides inside) and stitch all the way around, leaving a small section open for turning right side out. I used a 3/8" seam.

 Clip corners and trim seam. Then turn right side out and fill with your I-Spy objects and 1/2 way full with rice.

Turn under the opening and pin closed. Top stitch around the entire bag, catching the opening as you stitch. Be careful to shake all of the rice to the bottom of the bag so that it doesn't end up in your seams. It WILL break your sewing machine needle if it is sewn over (I know this from experience).

Turn over and add your dry erase photo and marker in their designated pockets and you are DONE!

The boys have had a great time finding the objects and swapping bags with eachother!