How do I make an "I Spy" bag?

[Tiacsophno]

I've never actually seen one IRL, but they sound cool. Does anyone know how to make one?

[ryansmom02]

:

[rubidoux]

Did you mean something like this? I googled "i spy bag" and this was the only thing that made sense. It looks pretty cool. And it seems like if you can find the clear stuff and the stuffing stuff (some kind of bean bag type stuffing?) it would be pretty easy. I just got some "chalk cloth" from fabric.com, which acts like a chalkboard but is fabric that you can sew with, so I bet that you could find this clear stuff to sew with.

J.

[Kari_mom]

You could definitely find everything you need at Joann's if you have one nearby. I think you would even find the toys there.

Added to my list of things to make!

[ryansmom02]

anyone else

[Tiacsophno]

Hi there - I just waded through all the ideas on the $0 Holiday Exchange thread at Talk Amongst Ourselves (whew!) and this is what I know so far about the Spy bags:

Someone was making them for a craft fair and thought she could do them for $2.50 apiece. So far she hasn't reported back with directions.

Another person plans to use a vinyl shower curtain for the plastic window part.

Many people plan to use rice instead of poly pellets.

Someone suggested using denim (old jeans) for a durable bag.

So I guess it sounds pretty straightforward, except I hope I can make it well enough so it doesn't fall apart and leak rice everywhere. I'm particularly worried about how to connect a plastic window to fabric. Just sew it on? I'd probably want to sew it a zillion times to make sure it holds...

Things I plan to put in the bags I make for my kids: letter blocks to spell their names, coins, dice, Monopoly game pieces, pieces of my old singlet earrings (no sharp parts), marble, polished rock, acorn, button, small plastic animals, thick periwinkle shell, ring... I'm sure I'll think of more...

[ryansmom02]

I made one today....... I like the idea of the denim.......... what i did was to 2 pieces of flannel and cut a window out of one side of the flannel..... then i did a very very tight zig zag one the vinyl that i got from walmart on to the flannel i got the medium weight vinyl so it didnt tear.... then i sewed the flannel right sides together left an opening poured in the rice and trinkets and then sewed the opening up and i was done...... oh and i also took a picture of all the items in the bag and then on the back of the bag before i sewed it together i put the picture under a piece of vinyl and then sewed that to the bag so my 2yr old knew what to look for......I put in
black beans
popcorn kernal
button
letter beads to spell ryan
bolt
nut
paper clip
foam shapes
little wodden animals i got from the craft store

and lots more..... my son loves it
I will post pics later

[geogirl]

This is a great gift idea. I am planning to make some for gifts. I'm trying to think of as many things to put in from around the house as possible. Please list ideas!!

Christi I'd love to see pictures of the one you made. Do guys think that rice would work ok as the fill?

Thanks a bunch,

Rebecca

[chellemarie]

My mom said she'll help me with her sewing machine, but she wants more instructions...how to attach the vinyl for the "window, etc. How are you attaching the vinyl? Are you backing the entire front and then stitching again around the opening or just cutting the vinyl slightly larger than the fabric cut-out?

[Scout]

These bags are a great idea!

One question: How big are the bags? I mean, I know they can be any size I want, but in general, what dimensions do you think you'd use if you were to make one? I'm having a little trouble picturing it.

Thanks,
Scout

[chellemarie]

I've seen "mini" bags at about 4"x4" and as big as 8"x8".

[Kari_mom]

I just remembered an idea for non-sewers. I have seen project directions for I Spy bottles, same concept. They used plastic water bottles, rice or bird seed(harder to find objects), and small objects just like the bags. Tape the bottle cap on so the stuff can't spill out. Kids can rotate and shift the rice inside to find the objects. This is a pretty easy project without the sewing.

But I still want an I Spy bag!

[Powellak]

I saw so of these on Ebay and people listed what was in the bags. I got some good ideas on what to put in mine!