Cut two pieces of fabric approx. 13 1/2” x 9 1/2”.
Cut batting same size. Use a thin batting, cotton or polyester. Put batting on bottom, then both pieces of fabric
on top, with their right sides together. Lay a bias square on the corners and cut off about a 2” right triangle from
each corner. Sew all around using a quarter inch seam, leaving enough space to turn.
[Niki's Note-turn the bag right side out and stitch the opening closed then continue].

Using the small snack zip bags, place 2 on each side, slightly staggered. Use a piece of bias tape to anchor
bags, or make strip from matching fabric (the latter looks better). (A fellow quilter also suggests using snap
tape to make bags removable. See Tips Section.

Sew a piece of felt approx. 2” x 3” for needles on one side.

Finish by sewing velcro strips for closing on either end.

The Closed Sewing Bag

The Open Sewing Bag

The “Busy Bag” is made in the same way as the Sewing Kit; only the sizes have changed, except for
the possible addition of handles. I use both the smaller bag size (sewing kit size) AND this larger size.

Optional Handles:
Cut 2 pieces of fabric, 4” x 13.5”
Cut batting for handles 1.25” wide—insert and secure with 4 lines of stitching. I make handles by folding
once. That and pressing down 1.5” of the long side of the handle. Then insert batting into the 1/2” fold,
fold over should leave approx. 1/2” of fabric—fold this over to meet the folded edge of the inserted
batting and press—in other words, you have a handle with one side that now needs to be edge stitched.
I edge stitch the other long side, then come in about 1/4” from each of these stitchings, and sew another
line. You want to be very sure that the batting is held securely.

Making The Bag:
I started with fabric and batting cut to approx. 12 1/2” x 16 1/2”. For the Busy Bags I like to use a piece
of muslin, draw a grid on it (lay ruler at 45 degree angle for the grid), then layer front piece, batting and
muslin, and quilt. Then layer again with quilted piece and inside piece to make the bag. All the other
instructions remain basically the same as the sewing kit. I used one purchased zipper pocket on one
side and clear plastic freezer bags staggered on the other side. You can certainly use any combination
you want to use. (I prefer to buy the Wal-Mart bags, because they don’t have a brand name written
across the front.)

To place the bags onto the busy bag, first I find the middle of the bag between the top and bottom
of the bag and mark it. Then I lay the clear bags across the line, watching that they won't show when
the Busy Bag is closed. If you're using the plastic bags only, put 2 on each side, staggered so they'll be
easy to open. The sewing bag uses the small freezer bags, and the larger busy bag can use both the
small and large bags or any combination.

Pin the bags in place (no cutting yet). When all the bags are positioned just like I want them, I actually
draw the middle line on the top bag with a fine line permanent marker and then sew down the middle
of the bag on the marked line. NOW you can cut off the excess bag, but leave about 1/2" or a little less.
[Niki's Note: Try to only pin near the center line as the pin holes can eventually cause rips, especially in
the thinner snack bags. Better to use freezer bags in sandwich size and wack off the extra for durability.]

Now take a piece of the matching fabric cut about 2” wide and an inch or more longer that the center
measurement of the bag. Fold long raw edges to the center, and fold in raw edges on the ends.

Sew the 1" piece of fabric (enough to cover the raw edges of the clear bags) by sewing all four sides.
That means that when you look at the bag from the outside you'll see 3 lines of stitching in the middle --
giving the bag a little shape.

Now fill the zip locks with sewing take along, or pencils, crayons, little notebooks, small books like follow
the dots, pictures to color, maybe a matchbox car or two. Just use your imagination. Our guild has made
these for pro bono, and they’re perfect for the children’s ward in your local hospital. (Careful to avoid
toys will small pieces, choking hazards, etc. or check with your hospital's requirements).

HINTS, HELPS & TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR SEWING KIT OR BUSY BAG:

(This section is not part of Sehoy's original pattern, but has been added by Niki for your reference).

When possible, use the thicker freezer use zip bags for added durability.

When pinning through your bags, be careful the pins don't catch on things as you sew and drag, as this can cause your bags to rip.

When attaching the handles to the bag, sew a square with an "X" through the center of it for longer life and durability.

When sewing down plastic bags, use a slightly longer stitch so you don't perforate them as you go.

Consider using larger size bags and staggering them to various heights, creating custom sizes for you needs.

Quilt your base unit to the closeness your batting requires before attaching the felt, any pockets, etc.

You can also use ready-made handles rather than making your own.

Make a small felt or fabric pocket for a small pair of scissors as they are likely to poke holes in your bags as some point. Ditto for seam ripper, or keep a tip cover on it.

Remember this particular design is not meant to be very fat, or the velcro pops. Don't overfill your bags.(Or put a flap on it with velcro closure for some extra depth).

Sew a small vinyl pocket or vinyl and fabric, business card size on one inside flap of the bag itself and keep a business card in it so it can be returned to you if lost. (Be safe. PO Boxes and business addresses are best. Even consider printing up a modified business card on your computer with minimal info needed to reach you.

An even safer option is to find out what info needs to be on it for the Post Office to return it at no cost to the stranger via "Return Postage Guaranteed" (you pay for the postage when you pick it up, which probably includes a small fee.) And write up a small card that details how they can do that at no cost or risk to the finder. Before 9/11 it used to be something like "Return Postage Guaranteed, Just drop (item) into nearest mailbox or give to your letter carrier, and the address to return it to or a number to call to get the address. Even in this case though, be careful about the address printed on the instruction card. Only give the minimum needed to recover your stuff if it's important to you to do so if you accidentally set it aside or misplace it. Also Homeland Security and other restrictions that are in place these days may have changed or even eliminated this option.

Once the bags are made there are dozens of ways they can be used.

Stocking stuffers in any variety, custom filled to meet the need specified.Cute tea fabrics can be filled with favorite tea bags, traveling sugar packets, small plastic spoon, even a collapsible mug.

For women's shelters fill with a bit if travel size makeup, a flap size pocket for holding important numbers and change. Some hair or bath care travel size. Dental floss (if ok'd ahead of time).

Younger children you can fill with a few items at the dollar store. Puzzle games, memory games, word search books, crayons. a small memo book and a pencil.

A person who does beadwork sizes her zip bags in two directions and ends up with 'zip bag tubes' for storing her work in progress. (This variation would need some minor tweaking, including a way to turn the base unit placemat into a portable beading station...maybe a jar lid or two stitched onto a felt page,Consider making a zipper pocket on one long side to hold your pattern, class directions, etc. that you might need to refer to.

This can also be made into a first aid kit.

Meds for a short trip.

Spa kit.

Dog Care Kit.

Game playing kit (Keep up with dominos, etc.).

Car kit.

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Whew! I'm sure there are many other hints and tips out there to be shared,
so feel free to send yours to Niki at ufo4quilts@ufo-rphanage.com
I'll be happy to add them and post an updated version soon!

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Special thanks to Sehoy for sharing with all of us!

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E-mail Niki & UFO-rphanage for Quilters

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