new library bags

today i finished the last library bag. i have been looking for something on the 'easy' side to make for the boys since i had made madelyn a dress. there are just lots more options of things to sew for girls than for boys - at least things that are almost cost effective to make. i could make the boys a pair of cargo pants which look like they would take me a week or more or i can just buy them for $10.

when i came across a pattern for a mix-matchy tote made from fat quarters, i thought i had a winner. (fat quarters are pre-cut pieces of fabric that do not require me to carry around bolts and get them cut to size - aka waiting in line with kids.) i took the boys to the fabric store after picking mason up from school on friday and let them each pick out three fabrics (with a little guidance).

they were fairly easy to make, the most time consuming part was the pressing and keeping the boys' excitement contained so that i could actually finish them. they came out a little smaller than i would have liked and aren't going to be ideal for picture books at the library, but the kids love them. madelyn was pretty bummed not to have one so i told her that she and i would go pick out some fabric soon for hers. instead of waiting, she just went through some fabrics i already had and we pieced enough together to make her one too.

the kids can fit board books, early readers, notebooks and coloring books inside their bags. there are also pockets on each side. mason put a bouncy ball in his pocket and madelyn put pencils in hers. i have a feeling that these bags will get a lot of use and i will probably modify the pattern to make a larger version for each of them that would actually fit larger library books.

i think i am going to make mason's class goodie bags and gift for his valentine's day party. we will see how that goes as my next project.

matt is happy that i have a hobby, but i think he hopes it will become a business because he keeps asking me how much the ideas i show him sell for... love.