Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Critter Bags Class Plan

by Mary Link

NOTES TO SHOP OWNERS AND TEACHERS:
Fast, Fun & Easy® Fabric Critter Bags is full of easy projects that make perfect vehicles for attracting beginning sewers to your shop and helping them learn the love of creating with fabric that turns them into lifelong quilters.

In the summer or during school vacations, these simple projects make great parent/child classes or projects for sewing camps. Try one of the three classes I've provided here, or make your own class from one of the other critter bags. Any one of the 7 projects from the book (or their many variations) would make a quick, easy class.

  • Pillow Playtime: A charming rabbit pillow case (3 hours)
  • Fuzzy and Fun: A cute and cuddly little animal fleece bag (3 hours)
  • Hit the Beach: An adorable octopus beach bag (3 hours)

Happy sewing!
- Mary Link


 

PILLOW PLAYTIME
Rabbit Pillow Case

Class description:
Add personality to a pillow by sewing your own bunny pillowcase. Snuggle up to this silly softie and make bedtime hopping fun! Perfect for a gift or use it yourself! (Great project for beginners.)

Approximate class time:
Three hours.

What each student will get:
A pillowcase so cute that you will want to make another, and another, and another...

Project supplies:

  • Required text: Fast, Fun & Easy® Fabric Critter Bags by Mary Link
  • One yard of yummy fabric for the body of the standard size pillowcase (add 5" for queen and 9" for king)
  • 1/4 yard of big tail and big ear fabric
  • 1/8 yard of eyeball fabric
  • Scrap of black polar fleece for eye dot
  • Scraps of cotton or fleece for nose and inner earsv
  • Thread to match

Advance preparations:

  1. Provide various sizes of circle templates for eyes (cups, cardboard, or just paper)
  2. Finished samples of eyes, ears, and finished project.
  3. Perhaps provide black fleece for eye dots and bits of polyester filling.

During the class:

  1. Following the instructions in Fast, Fun and Easy® Fabric Critter Bags, pages 7-13, demonstrate how to make different body parts (eyes, ears, nose, tail).
  2. Following the instructions on page 15-17, demonstrate how to make the pillowcase:
    • Cut main body fabric and demonstrate pinning of face.
    • Demonstrate attaching body parts (sewing and pivoting around curves).
    • Sew pillowcase front and back.
    • Demonstrate hem construction.

 

FUZZY AND FUN
Fleece Animal Themed Bag

Class description:
Make cute covers to carry or protect your golf clubs, ski goggles, or baby items. Choose a chick, a duck, or something different! This can even be a little purse. (Great for beginners!)

Approximate class time:
Three hours.

Student skill level:
Beginner and up.

What each student will get:
A fun and fuzzy carryall!

Project supplies:

  • Required text: Fast, Fun & Easy® Fabric Critter Bags by Mary Link
  • Two 15" by 15" squares of fleece for body
  • One 10" by 10" square of fleece for wings, ears, etc.
  • Scraps of black and white polar fleece for eyes (or buttons)
  • 1/4 yard of fabric for beak and feet
  • 1 yard of cord for drawstring
  • Thread to match

Advance preparations:

  1. Provide various sizes of circle templates for eyes (cups, cardboard, or just paper).
  2. Finished sample of parts and product.
  3. Perhaps provide black fleece for eye dots and bits of polyester filling.

During the class:
Following the instructions in Fast, Fun and Easy® Fabric Critter Bags, pages 19-20, demonstrate how to make the bag:

  1. Show how to make the different body parts (eyes and legs etc.), pages 7-12.
  2. Put together the bag following the instructions on 19-21:
    • Cut main body fabric and demonstrate how to pin the face.
    • Demonstrate how to attach body parts (sewing).
    • Sew one side of body.
    • Demonstrate hem construction.
    • Finish sewing the bag and attach drawstring

 

HIT THE BEACH!!
Octopus Beach Bag

Class description:
You won't need eight arms to carry your gear on the next trip to the pool. With this mid-sized bag, hauling toys and snacks is a snap!

Approximate class time:
Three hours

What each student will get:
A happy beach bag with a personality to boot.

Project supplies:

  • Required text: Fast, Fun & Easy® Fabric Critter Bags by Mary Link
  • One yard of fabulous fabric for the body of the beach bag
  • 1/8 yard of eyeball fabric
  • Scrap of black polar fleece (or buttons)
  • 1 1/4 yard of cord for drawstring and smile
  • Hammer
  • Grommets/eyelets (at least 6) be sure to get a box with a setting tool included
  • Thread to match
  • A ruler

Advance Preparations:

  1. Provide various sizes of circle templates for eyes (cups, cardboard, or just paper) and a 7-1/2 in. circle template for the base of the bag.
  2. Finished samples of eyes and legs and final product.
  3. Perhaps provide black fleece for eye dots and bits of polyester filling.

During the class:

  1. Following the instructions in Fast, Fun and Easy® Fabric Critter Bags, pages 7-13, demonstrate how to make different body parts (eyes and legs).
  2. Cut main body fabric and demonstrate pinning of face and smile, page 30. Demonstrate attaching body parts (measuring and pinning legs equally around base, sewing, and pivoting around curves).
  3. Sew bag body and base together, page 28.
  4. Demonstrate hem construction and grommet use, page 29.

Then head out to play!