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:
Pinking Shears (optional)
Fleece piece ( 8.5" x 16" )
Fleece piece (8.5"x6" ) for pocket
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!
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!
That is a great tutorial..wish I still had young ones to make this for them :(
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!
What a clever idea. My kids would love to have some of these for church. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteConnie from the crafterbug
That is such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. Karen
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I made these for my kids preschool classes out of empty water bottles, but I like this a lot more!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! That is exactly why I haven't made these yet but now I will have to give them a try! PS I LOVE the tractor fabric- where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone - great idea. I know what my neice and nephew's are getting for their birthdays!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! love it
ReplyDeletexo
Robin
Super idea. I've seen these in stores but never thought about making one. You are so clever!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We have always just used pictures with out little guys but the dry erase is AMAZINGLY BRILLENT! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI found you through Someday Crafts and would love for you to come link up at my link party! Every month the featured links have a chance to win tons of prizes, just for linking!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thesaturdaymorningsblog.com/2011/02/strut-your-stuff-for-february-link-up.html
Found you through, Whatever Goes Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I made some ispy bags after Christmas and used poly fill beads and they are NOT working for us, using rice as the filler is genius!
This is a fantastic idea! Probably great for car rides :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm your newest follower. It would be great if you could stop by my blog Monday and add your project to The More The Merrier Link Party.
ReplyDeletehttp://diyhshp.blogspot.com
My school has purchased these for $$$$. I never thought about making them. Thanks for posting on TTJ!
ReplyDeletewww.project-purple.blogspot.com
This is going on my to-do list for sure! Thanks for the great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHi! I found you on Craft-o-Maniac's blog hop and am now following. You have soooo many projects I'm interested in. The wooden peg matching dolls and the blue iced shower cupcakes immediately caught my eye. I'm looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDelete:)Jan at Jewelry4Change
http://www.jewelry4change.blogspot.com
Can't wait to make this for my Grandson. Thanks
ReplyDeleteLaura
http://lauraemmons.blogspot.com/
I just LOVE these! Thanks for sharing your tutorial! These are going on the to-do list :)
ReplyDeleteLove to have you link up to my new link party, For the Kids Fridays!
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com
:)rachel
I've seen these around but love your version with the pockets and laminating the picture! My 3-year-old will love this for our long car rides this summer!
ReplyDeletedomesticdeadline@gmail.com
What a great idea for our trip to Norway this summer. My 2 year old will love this.
ReplyDeleteI just made this and it was so quick and easy! I used regular fabric since the fleece options are limited and only available in solid colors here. It still worked great. I'm going to make these for all of the toddlers for Christmas this year. (Brandy, I'll post a pic on CC for you to look at. *smile*)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea (and tutorial)! Thanks so much for this. My 5 yr old grandson is about to take his first airplane trip, and this is going to be a great present for him to take along. I've been wanting to do an I Spy bag, but thought I needed little white plastic beads. But rice! Who knew?! I'll be making one of these (or two or three) tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome idea. I'm looking for great busy activities for a friend who just had her fourth child. I figure a little occupation for her other little ones will be quite helpful. Thanks so much for such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know I made one of these yesterday. Your tutorial is excellent and the entire project (minus the time it took me to hunt down the paper for my laminator.. argh!) took about 30 minutes. My husband said my 5 yr old grandson would never play with it because it couldn't compare to a Nintendo DS. He was wrong. My grandson thoroughly enjoyed it. Photos on my blog. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehttp://joanoh2.blogspot.com
How to be a Housewife
Great collection of tutorials. Keep it up...
ReplyDeletePVC Windows
Found you on pintrest. Made your dry erase I-Spy Bag this evening. Your directions were amazingly easy! Thanks so much! I plan to make a few more over the next week to take for my son on our trip across country next month! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I think I'm going to make up two of these tomorrow for my boys.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! The dry erasers are a great solution!
ReplyDelete