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Now you see them, now you don't!
Are you saving those old C.D's because you can't bring yourself to throw them out? There's something about those perfect, round, sturdy plastic circles that make you lay them aside and think to yourself that one day you will find a use for them. Well folks! Today's the day. It's time to turn them into something useful that you can store a treasured necklace in or give a special gift in, instead of that usual paper sack that gets passed around in re-gifting. Here's how!
READ THROUGH THE TUTORIAL FIRST.
Materials. 1/4 yard fabric if you don't have scraps. Read sizes you will need if you do.
One and 1/4 yard ribbon cut into two pieces. One old CD and paper to make pattern.
Make a paper pattern by drawing around the CD and leave 1/2" all around and then cut it out.
I measured around the CD and it was exactly 15". I added 1" for the 1/4" seam allowance (that's 1/2") and 1/2" for ease. Without any ease you could not pin the top wall to the bottom because it will be too taunt.
Make a pattern. I used tracing fabric but you can use paper if you wish. Cut a piece 16" wide and 8" tall. The bag will wind up 6" tall when made, but after making the first one, make it any height you wish for whatever you are going to put inside.
Choose your fabric and cut out one wall piece and two CD circles. For this tutorial I am using satin fabric, but for a first one you can make it in cotton fabric.
Lay the CD on top of the wrong side of one circle.
Lay the second fabric circle on top of the CD with right side out and pin all around. Get out that zipper foot you never use.
With a zipper foot on, sew all around to hold the two pieces together with CD inside. Don't worry about running into the CD. You can feel the edge with your left hand fingers as you sew. Sew slowly until you get the hang of it.
Fold the wall piece right sides together, pin and sew. I used my serger (over locker) but if you don't have one, straight stitch 1/4" in and Zigzag over the raw edge.
Fold top 2" down on the inside of the wall and pin.
Fold the raw edge 1/2" under and pin.
Sew close to the inside edge first and then leave 1/2" for casing and sew again.
Put the seam in the center like this and place a pin on each side. You can barely see my pin heads.
Now pin the wrong side of the wall all around the disc.
With the zipper foot on again, sew as close as you can to the edge of the CD then trim extra fabric.
Turn right side out and where each pin is, with a seam ripper CAREFULLY cut a small slot on the outside ONLY of the casing area, big enough for a ribbon 1/4" to 3/8" to go through. DO NOT GO THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF THE CASING. Cut another slot where the other pin is.
Use a small dab of fray check over the opened slot. This will stop the fabric tearing further.
Cut 2 pieces of ribbon 20" long.
With a safety pin, thread one piece of ribbon through one slot and work the ribbon all around and come out the same slot. Tie the ends together. Take the second piece of ribbon and go through the other slot and work all around and come out of the same slot and tie ends together.
Pull both ribbons together and draw up. One CD vanished and a bag to store or give a gift.
Designer bags.
You can make two color bags and even use one to take out in the evening to match your outfit, when you don't want to carry a heavy handbag.
Make the wall pattern piece 16" wide by 4 1/4" high. It will be the same height as the other one and the 1/4" is for seam allowance.
I used faux suede fabrics in black and black/gray leopard, which would be most suitable for evening. Cut one wall piece in each color and choose a color for the base and cut out two pieces. Join the two wall pieces with a 1/4" seam allowance and then make the bag the same way you did before.
This one I made in faux suede and lace top. I added some ruffled lace on the top for more decoration. Be creative!
Theme bags.
Three part or three color bag. I had a small piece of cotton fabric that had the statement 'love you' all over. I used white fabric to cover the CD and a white strip in the middle and added some black ruffled lace on the top edge. I then die cut 'LOVE' and heat set it on the white strip. See my blog on fabric and die cut machines.
Pop in a Teddy bear and it's ready for a special person next Valentine Day.
Here is the pattern.
You will make two pattern pieces for the 'LOVE' bag. One 16" by three and 1/4" tall and this pattern is for the top and bottom of the bag. Cut 2 pieces of the same fabric or one piece of two different fabrics for a more creative bag. The top pattern piece in the photo is 16" by two and 1/2" tall. This is the center strip and you will cut one piece in a contrast fabric.
A gift for a baby. This was a fat quarter and I could have made two bags out of it as long as I used a different color for the bottom. In this case I used plain red to cover the CD. If you use a large motif fabric like this, be sure to sew it with the design upright and line the motifs to land in the right place. Remember 2" at the top will disappear when turned down to make the casing. Leave enough design at the bottom that won't matter, so that you can see the full design when finished.
This little bag held all this. A boo boo soother, lolly pop holder, brush and comb, pacifyer and toothbrush set. A great gift bag for a new Mom and you can be sure she will find a use for it after opening her gift.
This was the perfect size bag for another gift I made, a child's nursing outfit and I used the same fabric as the apron. I had thought I needed to add a bag to my outfit for the nursing instruments and now I have. See this blog http://linda-allfreepatterns.blogspot.com/2010/07/childs-nurse-sick-teddy-play-wear-sew.html
It held all this!
Now design yours and see how easy they are to make. Don't get worried that you aren't an experienced sewer. You will never become competent if you don't work at it.
Make a whole set using the same fabric for everyone in your office this Christmas. Pop a bag of candy inside and they will all love you. The price is great and they will keep the bag!
If you liked this blog, see how to make a bag to store a special hat on this link to my millinery blog.
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