Grab and Go Traveler: Tutorial

I am guest posting this idea over at The Crafty Cupboard, and sharing the "How-To" over here as well.

 

 With all the traveling that summer brings, I've come up with a "Grab and Go Traveler" organizer to help keep the kiddos entertained wherever you might go.  

 

The idea actually came about as my brother decided to pack up his house, wife and 3 young boys and move across country.

It's a sad thing for us, but I was hoping to help make their trip a little easier.  I know how difficult it can be to travel with little kids.



This little traveler folds up super easy and then hangs anywhere you need a little organization or entertainment.

Want to make one, or maybe 3?

Here's how I did it.

Grab and Go Traveler Tutorial:

Supply List:

2 1/2 yards of fabric (get 1 1/4 yards each of 2 coordinating fabrics)

1 1/2 yards of pellon (I used the soft fleece like kind and non-fusible)

4 Buttons

Cutting List: 

Cut the following measurements out of each coordinating fabric and the pellon (making 3 pieces of each cut).  All measurements are in inches.

Main Part Inside and Outside:  21 x 17

Bottom Pocket:  9 1/2 x 17

Top Inside Pocket:  8 1/2 x 14

Top Front Pocket:  7 x 17

Straps:  You need only 1 piece in the desired fabric for one strap, and 1 piece of pellon.  So for the needed 2 straps you will need to cut 2 pieces of fabric at 4 x 19 inches, and 2 pieces of pellon, 4 x 19 inches.

Follow the steps below to make your Grab and Go Traveler:


  To prepare all your pocket pieces, sew them as instructed in steps 1-5.

1.  Line your pocket pieces together with the stiffener on the bottom and fabrics on top with right sides together.
2.  Sew along the top, 5/8ths of an inch.
3.  Press your seams open.
4.  Fold your top fabric down, sandwiching the stiffener.  Press the edge so it looks nice and flat.
5.  Top stitch along the edge.  Add a double top-stitch for a little more design.



6.  On the right side of your inside fabric, starting at the bottom mark lines at 2 inches from the edge.  Do this about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom.
7.  Mark these lines on both left and right sides of this fabric piece.
8.  Take your BOTTOM POCKET piece and trim the non-sewn edges to even them up good.
9.  Press the edges of the short sides to the back about 1/4 of an inch.
10.  Pin these edges to the inside fabric piece where you previously marked.



11.  Topstitch and double topstitch those edges down, removing the pins as you go.  This topstitching should encase your raw edges inside so there is no fraying.
12.  There will be a large gap in this pocket after all that is done.
13.  Make a small pleat at the bottom of the pocket piece on both sides, as evenly as possible.  Pin it down.
14.  Baste the bottom of this pocket to hold the pleats in place.  Press your pleats so they look crisp.



15.  Prepare your other pockets following steps 1-5 if you haven't done so already.
16.  Take your TOP INSIDE POCKET and press in the edges about 1/4 of an inch.
17.  Find the center of the pocket and the center of the outside main piece and pin in place where you would like your pocket to be.
18.  Topstitch the edges down and the bottom of the pocket.  Mark a center line on this pocket and stitch it down to form 2 pockets.  You could do as many pocket dividers as you would like at this point.
19.  Clean up the edges of your TOP FRONT POCKET.
20.  Press the long bottom edge only to the inside of the pocket, 1/4 of an inch.


21.  Lay that folded and pressed edge right along the bottom of the INSIDE pocket, hiding the raw edges.  Pin in place.
22.  Stitch and double stitch along the bottom, checking to make sure you are encasing those raw edges.
23.  Now you are ready to sew it all together.  Lay the MAIN PART stiffener evenly with the back of the INSIDE piece, with all the pockets sewn on.  Take the MAIN PART OUTSIDE piece and lay it on top, right sides together.
24.  Stitch all around these 3 pieces, leaving a gap for turning.  Clip your corners and trim the edges.



25.  Turn it inside out and press all the edges making it look nice.  Topstitch and double topstitch along the whole rectangle, closing the opening as you go.  Find the center of the traveler (folded hamburger way) and mark a line.  Stitch and double stitch along this line.  This will help the organizer fold easier.
26.  To make your STRAPS place the stiffener on top of the fabric's wrong side, evenly.
27.  Fold it in half (hot dog way) and stitch along the long edge catching the stiffener as well.
28.  Turn this fabric tube inside out.  Fold in your top and bottom ends and stitch them down, while topstitching along the edges.  Press.
29.  Create button holes in each end according to the size of your buttons.
30.  Hand stitch your buttons onto the traveler, measuring evenly and placing them where you would like them best.  Button your strap in place.  (This picture's handle was sewn slightly differently because I was running out of fabric for the last traveler I was making.  The handle has both fabrics in it, which you could also do).



This completes your Grab and Go Traveler.

I've got 3 down and only 3 more to go, now that I'm convinced my children need them as well.

I designed the straps to have the buttons so you can hang it on things that might be too big to just slip it on.  This will also help if your car seats head rests are not removable.

So are you going to whip some up?

Winner and Ryan

And now I will announce the winner of the My Memories Suite Giveaway!!! 

 I had to laugh when I saw this picture floating around.

Thank you Ryan.  I didn't even get 12.

But that's okay!  I only needed 1 winner and it is . . . . 

EMRUTH - The Bass Family.

Congrats!  You are going to love playing around with this software.  Watch for my email for your instructions for downloading.

 

My Memories - Day 7

I've decided to leave the Giveaway for My Memories Suite open 1 more day!!  It will close June 8th.  Enter here.

If you've missed the reading from day 1, click here.

 I think there is something wrong with my feed going through. At least that is my excuse for why I only have a handful of entries :) Here is your chance!!

But I can't wait to show you my final project!!!

Day 7:  Father's Day Photobook.

My Memories offers plenty of options for photobooks, printing and designing. But the best part about the software is that you can create your images, then save them as JPEG's and print the book wherever you want!  I think that is great!

Let me show you the pages I've created for my husband for Father's day.  I think he will love it.  At least I do.

Above is the cover and the title page.

It was quite the workout getting these pictures, let me tell you.

But this was the funnest project I've done in a long time.

My Memories Suite made it so easy.

You should buy the software, and use my promo code (STMMMS98607)  to save a total of $20!!!

Yes, I am totally trying to sell this program to you because, yes - I will get a cut.  But I have done my best to prove to you that it is well worth your money.  Go here to buy!

Do you think he will like his Father's Day gift?

 

My Memories - Day 6

 Only 1 day left to enter the Giveaway!!! Enter here.

Day 6:  Freebies!!

What I love about the My Memories company, is the frequent freebies they offer.  Sometimes it's nice to let someone else do the work.  And get this - you don't even need the software to download and print these!  The extra perk of having the software is being able to customize and change the elements to your liking.

Check out these cute printable crowns!

 

Click here to get a better look and download your freebie above.  If you want the software go here and use my coupon code (STMMMS98607) .  It will save you $10 off the software and give you $10 dollars to spend on anything on the My Memories site.

  

These crowns would be perfect for a little ones party, or just for fun.  Go here to download the above freebie.

 Download here.

 I just love that you can insert a picture, name, age or anything you want on each crown.  So cute!!!  I have come to really look forward to my emails from My Memories announcing their latest freebies.

I've got my final project using My Memories software in the works.  See you tomorrow (digitally speaking)!!

 

My Memories - Day 5

To Enter My Memories Giveaway, click here!!!

 Day 5:  Blog Design

 If you noticed my new blog header, you might be able to guess what this day is about.  I was playing around with the My Memories Suite software to create the new header.  There were plenty of options to play with. 

 In fact, do you want to see which ones were created but got the boot?  

It was getting late and my brain was having a hard time feeling creative.  So some of them are a little questionable.

Boy, you should have seen the ones that didn't even have the chance to be saved.

 But you should probably be glad you didn't.

However, I found My Memories to be great for making a header, and has plenty of free options for any kind of digital design.

In the end, the buttons got to stay.  We will see for how long.  Did you prefer any of the other ones?

Only 3 days left on the giveaway.  Your chances are still pretty high for some free software :)

 

My Memories - Day 4

Enter My Memories Suite Giveaway here.

 Day 4: Picture Titles 

 I can imagine My Memories software coming in pretty handy for bloggers. A popular thing to do with our images is title them, whether it be the name to our website or the name of the item in the picture. My memories has everything you need to accomplish this.

You just add a shape and text, choose a color, then change the opacity.  I'm sure you've seen this a lot. (Dreamy Dress blogged about here). 

 It's a great way to identify and label your items.  (The Blossom Dress here).

 Rectangles are not the only shapes you can add to your images.  (Jane Austen Dress here)

 They even have a selection of thought bubbles.  Oh the possibilities.

 

My Memories - Day 3

For the My Memories Suite Giveaway and day 1, click here.

My Memories Discount, click here and use promo code (STMMMS98607) 

Day 3:  Make a Collage

I know there are many sites that help you create collages for your blogs, websites, or other personal uses.  My Memories Suite helps you create collages quickly and easily while offering a variety of different looks as well.

All you do is select a template and start inserting the pics.

 

You can add any text or numbering you would like after that. 

I thought I would mention, we've made an offer on another home and re-designing it to my liking has been on my mind constantly.  It is like a disease.  A very exciting disease.  So I thought I would make a collage with inspiration I've seen around the web.  Maybe it will help me sleep at night.

Here are some farmhouse/cottage kitchens I've been dreaming about.  Click the numbers below the collage to send you to the corresponding links. 

1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8

I've also discovered a strange obsession to doors.

1     2     3     4     5     6

I now know where my go to source for collages will be.  I may be enlisting the help of My Memories Suite again to help me organize my thoughts for the living room, bedrooms, laundry room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

So far not a ton of entry's for the giveaway.  Your chances are pretty darn good at this point:)

Just Saying . . .