| How to Sew a Bag for the Bags of Love Organization Nov 27th 2012, 08:00 There is a wonderful organization with chapters in the US and abroad which provides "Bags of Love" to children who must enter foster care due to family upheaval of one sort or another. Many of the children are victims of abuse. Some children cannot take any of their possessions with them due to the sad fact that their possessions are all tainted with poisonous substances used to manufacture illegal drugs in their home. Bags of Love seeks to give each of these children some personal items such as toiletries, a blanket and a few toys to call their own. Hence the name "It's My Very Own" or "Bags of Love". IMVO and BOL have local Chapters––groups of citizens who make the bags, fill the bags with age appropriate necessities, and deliver those bags to social service agencies for distribution to children in need. This article gives basic instructions for construction of the bags. (Links to several Chapters can be found in the Sources and Citations below.) - Measure and cut the heavyweight fabric into four pieces, as follows:
- Two rectangles measuring 22 inches by 29 inches (56cm x 73.5cm). Twenty two inches is the horizontal measurement.
- One rectangle measuring 11 inches by 13 inches (28cm x 33cm). Eleven inches will be the horizontal measurement.
- One rectangle measuring 7 inches by 13 inches (18cm x 33cm).
- Measure and cut two five foot (152cm) lengths of sturdy twine or cordage. Melt or tie the ends to prevent fraying.
Placing the outside pocket and flap - Fold (miter) each of the corners of the 11 x 13 inches (28cm x 33cm) rectangle. Pin or baste in place.
- Fold all four edges under approximately 1/2 inch (1.27cm) to the back or 'wrong' side of the pocket. Pin or baste in place. If the fabric is particularly prone to sliding around, you may also wish to press or starch the folded edges with a hot iron.
- Top stitch one of the narrow ends to hold the folded edge down. This edge will be the top of the pocket.
- Find the vertical center of one of the large rectangles. Do this by folding the rectangle "hot dog" style, so that the two long edges lie parallel and together. Use pins or tailors chalk to mark the center line.
- Open the fold you just made to find center. Measure up along the center line from the short edge. Mark the 7 inch (18cm) point with pins or chalk.
- Measure out 5 inches (12.5cm) on either side of the center line and 7 inches (18cm) up from the bottom of the rectangle. These three points will make the line on which you need to place the bottom of the pocket.
- Place the basted pocket, wrong or "back" side to the right or 'top' side of the pocket. Take care to place the topstitched edge up.
- Center the bottom of the pocket over the center line and just above the pins marking 7 inches (18cm) from the bottom.
- Pin or baste the pocket in place for top stitching.
- Top stitch the pocket to the side of the bag. Stitch down one long side, across the bottom and up the other side, leaving the top (previously top stitched) edge open. Take care to backtrack your stitching at the top corners of the pocket to reinforce them.
- Now for the flap. Fold the 13 x 7 inches (33cm x 18cm) rectangle with right sides together. Fold it "hot dog" style, so that you create a 13 x 3.5 inch (33cm x 9cm) rectangle.
- Sew the raw edges together, leaving only enough space to turn it "right" side out when done.
- Trim the corners and turn it right side out.
- Pin the opening closed and either hand sew it shut or top stitch it closed.
- Place and center the flap over the top, open end of the pocket. The flap should overlap the top of the pocket by about an inch (2.5cm). Pin or baste in place.
- Top stitch the narrow ends and the top edge of the flap in place. This will prevent items placed in the pocket from being easily lost or sliding out. (This pocket measures 10 x 12 inches (25cm x 30cm) when finished, a good size for some children's books or a notebook.)
Create the channel for the drawstrings - Sew down 4 inches (10cm) of side edges from the top. You will fold over the top edge of the sides next, but hemming the top few inches first gives you a smoother rope channel opening which will resist fraying. Alternatively, you could "zig zag" these edges with a similar result.
- Fold over the top edge of the bag sides by two inches (5cm). Be sure that the "right" side (patterned side) of the fabric is facing outward. Pin or baste in place.
- Sew the 2 inch (5cm) flap down to create the rope channel. Repeat for the other bag side.
Finish the bag and add the drawstrings - Place the top (rope channel edges) edges of the bag sides together with right sides facing. Pin the sides and bottom together.
- Start sewing the sides of the bags together from the bottom of the rope channel. Be sure to reinforce the ends of the seam with backtracking or zigzag stitches. Sew the two sides together.
- Trim all loose threads and turn the bag "right" side out.
- Thread the rope sections through the channels. The bag should have two drawstring loops which pull opposite each other to close the bag opening. (Two, shorter drawstrings are safer than one long one for children.)
- Decorate the bag if you wish. Just keep in mind that bags intended for small children should be devoid of anything which they could tear off and swallow. (Fabric paints are a good alternative, as is applique')
- Deliver your Bag of Love to the nearest Chapter for use. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and goodwill you have created with your simple act of generosity.
- Bags can be decorated age appropriately. Generally the ages run Birth to age 3; age 4 to age 6; age 7-12; and Teen. Check with your local Chapter for more specifics.
- Sturdy fabrics are best. Thin materials are not appropriate due to their tendency to shred easily.
- Take care to sew neatly and well. Give away only your best work.
Edit Warnings - Giving a shoddily constructed or flimsy bag is an insult to both the agency and to the child you are hoping to help. If you have difficulties with any aspect of the sewing, don't give up––ask a friend or neighbor to help show you what to do and you'll improve your sewing skills and create a sturdier bag!
Edit Things You'll Need - A yard of 44" (110cm) wide sturdy fabric such as denim, cotton duck, twill or even upholstery material.
- Sewing notions such as thread, pins, etc.
- Sewing machine (while this "can" be made by hand, a machine makes the job much easier!)
- Tape measure
- Scissors
Edit Sources and Citations Edit Related wikiHows Fill-a-Bag-for-the-Bags-of-Love |  |
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