You Are My Sunshine- I Spy/Taggie Toy

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

 Several months ago I stocked up on felt and bought some of the items to make little I spy bags. Just yesterday I came across the box I had tossed the materials in and decided it was time to make something of it all. I had this idea of making them into cute little shapes (fish, turtle, whale), but then I thought it would be cute to combine the felt with scraps of ribbon to make an I spy bag/taggie. If you would like to make one, here is what you need:

Materials
1-2 bags of clear craft beads (any shape)
Alphabet beads, sequins, decorative buttons, any other little trinkets
Clear vinyl (1) 7x7" square (can be found in the home decor section at JoAnn Fabrics,
just take that giant roll up to the counter and have them cut you off a big strip)
Felt (2) 7x7" squares
3 different colors of ribbon (15" of each)
Thread, scissors, pins
Fabric Marker or Pencil
2 circles to trace (1 big, 1 small)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The size of your felt and vinyl will depend on how big the circular items you trace are.
My Corningware lid was a little bigger than 6" in diameter.
1. To get started, cut two squares of felt (measure the diameter of your biggest circle and add a 1/4"). Trace and cut both squares of felt into two large circles. Then take one and cut a smaller circle into the center of it. This will be the piece with the vinyl window. Cut the vinyl to match the size of the large circle.
 2. Take the ribbon and cut into (3) 5" pieces. You should have a total of 9 pieces of ribbon. Fold over the ribbon and pin the raw edges to the top of the solid felt circle. About 1/4" of ribbon should overlap the felt. Grab the circle with the hole, lay it on top of the vinyl circle and pin in place. Stitch closely around the inner edge (pictured below). Place the piece with the vinyl window on top of the piece with the ribbons. One pin at a time, remove and re-pin so that the pins are on the surface of the circle with the vinyl window (but are still holding the ribbon in place). Sew together leaving a 1 1/2" gap so that you can fill it up. Layer in objects and beads. Leave enough room so that the items can move around and so that you can sew it up without having anything in the way. With your machine, stitch over the gap, making sure to backstitch or "fix" at both ends. Examine edges to make sure there are no holes.
3. Remove any unwanted threads or excess vinyl around the edges. If desired, press ribbon edges to flatten. It's done!
Shortly after making the sun I realized that I had some brown and green ribbon left over from our wedding- score! So of course I had to make an apple. As you can see, you can make pretty much anything. Happy sewing!
P.S. I'd love to see your creations... if you make one, comment and leave me a link!
This tutorial is currently being featured over at Nap Time Crafters.

11 Comments:

  1. I LOVE this! I've never made an I Spy bag. I think I'm intimidated by having to collect all of the little trinkets. This is so inspiring, though. I'm definitely pinning it for later. Thanks for sharing!

    (And great photography, too, BTW!)

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  2. so cute! i love that apple!

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  3. How cute! I love this idea! Those little things inside are great for them to look at! I may have to make one for my son

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  4. This is an adorable idea! Thanks for linking up at The Winthrop Chronicles!

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  5. How fun! I love the you added the ribbon and made it a sunshine!

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  6. This is seriously so adorable!! I love this tutorial and have pinned it. When ever I get around to learning how to sew I'd love to make this. Megan

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  7. Absolutely daring!! I love themed I-spy bags, and this sunshine is so sweet. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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  8. Thank you all for the sweet comments!

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  9. I like this a lot, and I think my son will too!

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  10. Oh my these are adorable!! I LOVE the sunshine one. I would love it if you would be willing to share with us at our party going on now-Monday. Thanks

    http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com/2012/05/link-it-up-thursday-19.html

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!:)

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  11. Thank you so much for linking up to the first What's Hot In The Firehouse linky party. I reailly like the idea of adding the tags to the I Spy Bag! Hope to see you next week.

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