Frugal Friday - I Spy Bag

My youngest was invited to a five-year-old birthday party later this month. The minute we got the invitation I knew what I wanted to make - an I Spy Bag. Of course the invention is not my own; it's been floating around the web for a while. I couldn't find a specific tutorial but the bag was easy enough to make without one. Here are the basic steps:

• Go buy clear heavy-duty plastic from your local fabric store (I bought 1/2 yard on sale for $2.00 and still have quite a bit left-over).
• Send your children on a scavenger hunt around the house for small treasures (this keeps the kids busy, clears the clutter from your house and saves you money).
• Make a list of the trinkets to be included in each bag.
  
• Find some fabric scraps (do you remember this project? I used left over fabric from that - once a curtain now a book bag and a toy).
  
• Cut the fabric into two squares (or any other shape you wish).
  
• Cut a window into the front square in any shape desired (I made a square window by cutting four triangular flaps and folding them over. This left a nice clean edge. )
• Cut a piece of plastic in the same shape as your hole only larger, in and sew to the wrong side of the fabric using a straight stitch. (Note: on another I Spy Bag I cut the window as a star shape then used a zig-zag stitch to attach the plastic which kept the fabric from fraying).
  
• Pin right sides of the fabric together and stitch the bag edges. Be sure to leave an opening to turn right side out.
  
• Fold the edges of the opening in and iron to make closure easier after filling.
  
• Fill the bag with rice and trinkets (a creamer pitcher works great for this).
  
• Top-stitch to close bag. For a professional look top-stitch the entire border of the bag.
• Print a list of the bag contents and laminate (I simply used clear packing tape).
  
• Attach list to bag (I plan to use a pretty ribbon).
  

After we finished the I Spy bag I whipped up a quick draw-string gift bag ala Heather Ross. And voila - a quick simple inexpensive and original gift.


It turns out my kids also wanted I Spy bags so I made them each one too (they are five, nine and thirteen ... even the teenager wanted one of his own). And finally I made a bag for my niece. All told I made five bags in an afternoon. These would be great party-favors and are also perfect for summer car rides.

Happy Sewing and Happy Frugal Friday!

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