Instructions for Sewing Kit:

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 removeable. 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: