Snap Bags

Christmas is getting close all you crafty people!

Welcome!  

Today I'm going to show you a gift that

I made for an exchange.
I have a group of crafty friends online and a few of us 

decided to have a gift exchange for Christmas.

My sister in law told me how to make these cute 

"snap bags" She has made a lot of them for her church 

as part of Christmas gifts that they give out.

The size she does and the one I'm going to tell you 

how to make is the size for a glasses case.

The first thing is to purchase double sided quilted fabric

Our Joann's doesn't have a lot of variety, but I found

this one that I really loved.

I had a great coupon, so I bought a yard of this fabric

so I could make several if I liked how the first one turned

out.

Cut a square measuring 10" x 10"

On one side, fold over about 1/2"

Now fold that same side over about 1" and pin in place.

Fold the piece in half with the right side out.

Measure 2 lengths of ribbon about 3" long.

Measure the width of the bag and find the middle, keep

in mind that you will be sewing a seam at the side of the

bag, so adjust for that.

  Fold the ribbon in half and put the raw ends under the

folded down top edge and pin in place.

Repeat this on the other side.  

To be sure they are even, you can push a pin through from

one side to the other and see if the pin comes through

the ribbon.

Once you have the ribbons in place, unfold the bag and 

sew along the edge of the folded over top.

Cut approximately 4" pieces of a tape measure.
I bought mine at the Dollar Store, so they weren't a very

heavy metal, so I cut 4 pieces.  If you have a heavier 

tape measure, you can use 2 pieces.

I used a pair of heavy duty kitchen scissors for cutting,

if you have a pair of tin snips you can also use them.

Now round the ends of each piece of the tape measure.

Be careful this can be very sharp and small pieces can 

go flying.  My sister in law holds hers inside a box to cut,

this way the small sharp pieces don't go flying.

Stepping on one of these with bare feet wouldn't be very 

pleasant.

Now you have rounded ends and no squared corners.

If you are using the light weight metal, put 2 pieces together

on top of one another.

I used electrical tape, my sister in law used duct tape,

to tape around the ends. This will keep the sharp edges

from tearing through the fabric and possible cutting 

the person using the bag.

Be sure to use a heavy duty type of tape.

Now slide the tape measure pieces into the "pocket" at 

the top of the bag. One from each side of the bag and

push to the center of the bag where it will be folded.

Be sure the tape measure pieces are curved the right way.

You want them to bump out to the outside of the bag,

as shown in this picture.

Fold the bag in half again, right sides together,

and sew a seam close to the edge of the fabric.

I sewed mine with the edge of the fabric right along

the edge of the presser foot, only about 1/8" seam allowance.

Be sure your tape measure is pushed in far enough

that you won't be hitting it.

Sew down the side and across the bottom of

the bag.  

Turn right side out and you have your 

snap bag.

Perfect for sunglasses.

Here is a quick little demo of how the snap bag works.

It's easy to pull open with the little ribbons and snaps

closed on it's own.

Not only is this great for sunglasses, but for any number

of other things.  Make up, a pad and pen, maybe some

feminine products for your purse, even craft supplies..

You can make them in whatever size you choose.

These are 3 I made for my friend for our exchange.

All different sizes.  They have already been sent out 

and received. She opened them and has thanked me for

them already, she loves them and has a lot of ideas

what she can use them for.
These are easy to make and anyone can use something

like this.  I know my brother asked my sister in law to make

one for him for his glasses, she is planning to put a small pocket 

on the outside of it for extra hearing aid batteries.

I believe he's going to use his in his golf bag.

So many uses for them!

I'm guessing you could use another kind of fabric,

but it would have to be something with some

"substance" It needs a bit of thickness and/or stiffness to it.

I'm glad you stopped in today, I hope you are too.

I also hope you have been inspired in some way

and maybe will give these bags a try.

They really are quite easy to make and 

come together quickly. 

They make lovely little gifts for anyone.

See you again soon,

until then, happy creating!