Hannah's Boredom Bag Project

Difficulty level Beginner
Time to Complete Evening
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Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project
Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Our talented sewing expert Hannah knows that sometimes it's hard to come up with fun ideas on the spot...especially with so many of us having to stay at home at the moment. So why not create a Boredom Bag to keep the little ones (and not so little ones) in your household entertained. This colourful little bag is full of wonderful activities that will keep your children occupied for hours! What project could be more perfect right now whilst we’re all stuck indoors looking for something to do?!









You will need:

  • Bernina sewing machine
  • Foot 1 or 1D, and a ¼" foot - I used 97D
  • Matching polyester thread to your bag fabric
  • Black thread to sew the labels
  • 2 x gingham fabric 12" x 9"
  • 2 x contrast green fabric 10" x 3"
  • 2 x Russia doll fabric 10" x 9"
  • 22" coloured ribbon
  • 2.5m x 1.5mm petersham or ribbon
  • 1 ruler
  • 1 rotary cutter
  • 1 pencil
  • Pins or clips
Click here to visit the Bernina online shop.
 

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 1

You will need 2 styles of fabric for the front. The main fabric measuring 10" x 9" and the top contrasting fabric measuring 10" x 3". For the lining you will need 2 pieces of fabric measuring 12" x 10".

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 2

Pin or clip the contrasting fabric to the Russian doll fabric right sides together.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 3

Sew along the top with a ¼" seam allowance. I have used my foot 97D with a guide to help me. Make sure you secure your ends; I used the securing knot on my machine.

Top Tip:
Don’t forget hold your threads when you start to sew. This stops birds nesting at the beginning of a seam.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 4

Press your seam and on the right side top stitch just inside the Russian doll fabric.

Top Tip:
I used the inside of the right toe of the foot as a guide to keep my stitching straight.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 5

Pin or clip the 2 lining pieces right sides together and sew around the edge with a ¼" seam. Make sure you leave the top open and a gap in the side to allow for the bag to be turned through. This is marked with the 2 yellow pins in the picture above. For the front section of the bag sew the side and bottom seam as before but without the gap.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 6

The next step is to box your corners on both the inside and outside sections. Match your seams and mark a 2" line across. You can then take this to your sewing machine and sew making sure you secure your ends, for this I used quick reverse on my machine.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 7

Place the lining inside right sides together and pin at the top making sure you match your seams. Then stitch round the edge.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Top Tip:
I removed my sew table and used my free arm to make this easier.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 8

Pull the bag through the hole you left in the pink lining and give it a little press if it needs it.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 9

Close the side seam up with a straight stitch using matching thread. I used a green so you can see it in the photos.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 10

Tuck the lining inside the bag and top stitch along the edge. Your bag is really taking shape now!

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Top Tip:
If you have an edge stitch foot 10 you can use it as a guide, move your needle position over until you get the correct seam allowance.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 11

Next we need to make the channel that the cord or ribbon will fit into. I measured 1 ¼" from the top of the bag for my first line then sewed a second line ½" below that. Make sure you reverse stitch at the side seams to add an extra secure as we are going to unpick the top layer of side seam stitching at one side to allow us to pass the ribbon through.

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 12

I have used a small safety pin to help me pass my pretty ribbon through the opening. Tie your ends together once it has gone all around the bag!

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

That’s your bag complete! Now time for the important bit…the tasks!

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Stage 14

To create the tasks to go in the boredom bag I used combination mode on my machine and selected a block font. My daughter Ruby had great fun entering them in and stitching them out on some 1.5cm Petersham Ribbon. I used my 1D dual feed foot to help the Petersham feed through nice and smoothly.

Top Tip:
Always remember to set 1 pattern repeat on your machine then you can use your Start/Stop button and not worry it will run on!

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

I think I might be a bit optimistic with this one!

Now you are all done and can go off and play...

No more "Mummy I’m bored"!

Picture: Hannah’s Boredom Bag Project

Make sure to regularly check the Bernina UK Team projects page as we will be bringing you LOTS of fabulous new projects to inspire you throughout your isewlation!