Hello sewing friends!! It’s Tamar from Tamar Hope Designs! It is time for all of those summer vacations, so I thought it would be fun to make Chicory into a travel bag for kids! I designed a toy pocket for you to add to the Chicory bag! Before you get started be sure to visit the Mastering Zippers blog post for everything you need to know about zippers.
Let's grab a zipper, the Chicory bag pattern and let's dive in!
Cutting Instructions
Cut one pocket piece.
Size 12 inch bag - (cut 1) 8 inch x 20 inch
Size 10 inch bag - (cut 1) 6 inch x 18 inch
Size 8 inch bag - (cut 1) 4 inch x 16 inch
Sewing Instructions
Fold the pocket piece in half along the length with wrong sides together and iron.
Topstitch along the folded edge.
Line the pocket piece up with the right edge and bottom edge of one lining piece.
Sew along the right side.
Fold your pocket piece over whatever it is you want the pocket to hold. Clip/pin in the desired position. Mark both the pocket piece and the lining piece where it is clipped/pinned. Measure the marks and repeat them along the length of the pocket piece and the lining piece.
(Ex. For a toy car or small doll, draw lines 3 inches apart on the pocket piece and lines 2.5 inches apart on the lining piece. For a Hatchimal draw lines 1.75 inches apart on the pocket piece and 1.25 inches apart on the lining piece.)
Match the lines and pin or clip them together.
Sew along each line made in the previous step.
Sew back and forth along the top of the pocket several times to reinforce the pockets.
Pinch the excess fabric at the center of each pocket. Lay the excess to one side and clip it forming a pleat.
Sew along the bottom of the lining piece with a scant ½ inch seam allowance.
Sew the lining pieces together according to the directions in step 13.
Start by lining the bag up according to step 14.
Pull the lining down until the top of the pocket is 1 inch below the center of the zipper.
Pull the main down until it matches up with the lining.
Sew along the side seams. Finish bag with steps 15-17.
And there you have it. A set of travel bags for your kid’s toys.
If you’re feeling creative, grab a sharpie and doodle some designs for your child to color.
Now you have a little travel bag that will provide hours of entertainment. Your child can take the toys out and put them back into the pockets. They can color the bag with washable markers. And they can use the bag as a play-mat with the toys inside. It’s perfect for those summer road trips!
There are so many different toys and corresponding play-mat options. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
You can make a car bag with roads:
You can make a calico critter bag with a house layout:
You can make a Hatchimal bag with a house layout:
The possibilities are endless!
Happy Sewing!
-Tamar