I thought I would show you some more gifts I made for the bus trip. Chapstick holders were sewn with regular machine. (Link is in my Sewing post.) Nail file holders or emery board holders are made ITH by our Cutie Kim/dragonflyer. Thank you again Kim. I made a couple more cases for either receipts, coupons, cell phone and cards, etc with diving pocket. I embroidered this purchased tote with a shell design from joydesigns.org (see link below). I also made keychains with the person's initial monogrammed. The black/white is a men's shoe bag. (The blue is a lingerie bag I gave my sister this week. I centered the design, but should have put it more toward the bottom, as it gets kind of lost in the gathers when you draw the ribbon ties.) I also have 3 scarves I made and a couple of toilet paper covers.
My niece says this is plenty, but I want to make a few more women's gifts, maybe one or two of a kind, simple stuff though. I got the potholders that jofrog suggested for purse organizer but I got the storage bags that had the sliders and they were too wide for my potholder. I may not get them done for this trip. If I do I will add on here, so check for updates.
Lots of good suggestions and you have done a bountiful group of gifts! Just thought of a nail file holder like the ones I did a couple of years ago...fast and easy!
Yes, Cuties have been racking their brain for me and have really came to the rescue. I remember Lillian or Loralye making some for charity one time and they looked nice. I think I know where they got the design, but where are they buying the nail files or is it emery boards in bulk?
You have already tried everything I can think of. I think key fobs were popular a while back. Maybe a patch that they can apply to what ever they choose. Kay
Thanks Kay, I already have the 35 key fobs finished with each initial on them. My niece provided the list. Now I'm working on this and that for them, maybe just a few shoe bags, few of something else, etc
I have tried a few brands of blow up coat hangers and they are to hard to blow up and the sides stick together. The Korjo brand are the best and I have my original ones since 2006. Someone on the net is selling them really cheap and they don't have the two way valve and they keep deflating. You get 2 in a pack for around $8 to $10 Aus.
These are my measurements for women's size 9 (41) shoe These are for my walking shoes which are slightly bigger than a normal a sandal.
STRAIGHT SIDE: I place my pattern on the fold on the long straight side length 16 3/4 ins (42.5cm)
CURVE SIDE: measure down 12ins (30cm) and gradually curve to the bottom of the straight side.
WIDTH: 9 1/2 ins (24cm)
Step 1: overlock across the top
Step 2: overlock the curved side
Step 3: fold over 3/4 in for casing
Step 4: thread elastic
If you are making these for people who have arthritis I would suggest that you widen the width.
Place you shoe toe first with the sole against the straight edge.
If you need more info just let me know.
Barb
I had the shoe bag right but thanks for showing these hangers. These are something new to me.
Hi Toogie, I made my shoe covers out of curtain material with a flock back (I have placed damp shoes in these bags) and turned over the top edge and put elastic through it. I prefer 1 shoe per bag because your shoes fit around the edges of the suitcase in the empty gaps. With regards to size I would take a size 11 or 12 men's shoe and make it to fit. The pattern I use is a rectangle piece of fabric and curve one side, the toe of the shoe fits in very well and no excess fabric. I have had my covers for 12 years and still look great.
first aid and sewing kits. Camera and map bags.
I also attached a photo of my travel peg, you thread the peg through the loop over the towel rail great for socks, undies, bras. I purchased these in Singapore. When I make these up in a kit for friends I use a sturdy peg and use plastic string that kids use for their jewelry. I add a couple of blow up coat hangers and some soap. hugs Barb
Thank you Barb for a few more ideas. I think a first aid kit or sewing kit would be great, although I am not going to be the one sewing for them on this trip- lol
I had thought about elastic instead of a drawstring but no one had suggested it, so wasn't sure it was a good idea. I'm glad to know you have tested it and approve. I never thought about the curved edge. So the curve sits on top the shoe and the sole sits on the opposite seam?
Also, I've never heard of blow up hangers nor have I seen this peg hanger. Thanks for showing us.
You're probably done with all your items, but I just ran across this idea. Maybe use it next time?
Jo
Took me a while to find the right post! If and when I find something, I'll be sure to add it!
Looks like everyone has come up with some great ideas Toogie. I think you've done a fantastic job on everything. I'm off to Italy on Monday and what we mainly need is luggage tags, but my suitcase stands out like a sore toe, so not needed. Love Chris
Maybe your luggage stands out because its been so many places!-lol- Have fun and relaxation on your well deserved holiday!
Yes, the Cuties are always here to help and have given me some great ideas and tips. Joansatx reminded me to use my walking foot on the vinyl and it worked magic. I love the valet tray and plan to make more.
If you had a luggage handle wrap, what design would you put on it?
Wow Toogie, you have been busy. Love everything that you have done! Lucky travelers.
I totally forgot about this trip and I am sure glad she asked me NOW what I had made so far.(nothing-shu.u ..be quite, don't tell her I forgot)-lol
It sure made me 'get on the ball'. So where's an idea from you?...........I'm waiting......lol
You could still do the suitcase handwraps....but do something different on each one...like a blue star...a red star... a purple flower...etc. So that each person could still identify without a name.
Sleep masks, Kleenex covers, the little ones for personal packs, I like the luggage hand wraps idea, it makes finding your a bit easier when one similar is coming down the line.
Thanks I made Kleenex covers today. I have made eye mask twice and used fleece so it's soft against the eyelids. What do you use?
I use black flannel on the back against the eyes for softness. Fleece is too hot for us.
Some excellent ideas here already
Pouches for earphones (DBS have a cute drawstring pouch that would work), wrist straps or lanyards for phones or cameras, Shoe bags are great - I put an extra layer of fabric inside so shoes can be separate but together which stops them rubbing and scuffing on each other, coin purses for loose change collected on travels, card wallet, passport wallet, dirty laundry bags, bookmarks, luggage tag with insert for a name card, cover for a packet of wipes, map holder, different sized elastic loops for keeping all manner of things together (you could get a whole bunch done in no time and use up various lengths of elastic too, even decorate them with a felt flower or other decoration)
Wow, thanks!
I saw one place they just sewed down the center of the shoe bag for separation and boxed the bottom corners & had the the drawstring top. I did think I may would line with fleece to keep them from scuffing. What do you think?
Never heard of the elastic loops but might be a good idea. Are they made of fabric with 1/4 or 1/2 inch elastic inside?
I don't line mine. And the ones I bought (one time) were not lined. The shoes didn't scuff in the bag. I wouldn't line them as that adds weight to your luggage!
I would probably not use fleece as it is more bulky and may not let shoes breathe. I use flannel or cotton amd it is is cheaper too. I like the idea of a line if stitches down the centre and boxed corners but it adds more time to construction. By adding a layer of fabric wrong sides together in the middle it is all stitched at the same time you sew the shoe bag together.
With the elastic loops you can fabric cover them for plain elastic to pretty them up and i also have some lace elastic and some camouflage printed elastic that is great to use without being covered. 1/2" elastic works well but you can use what you have on hand. Hope that helps. Pm me if you need more info
Thank you and if you look at the valet in Projects I just submitted, it is sitting on my first shoe bag I made. I didn't line it but I made french seams, even though I serged/overlocked the seams. I didn't want a shoe buckle/ornament to catch on a thread, as someone else suggested the reason to french seam.
Thanx for posting Toogie, I got some ideas also!!!
Bedside or dresser top fabric travel trays.They don't have to have snap corners if they are shallow like one inch. There are patterns for regular sewing and in the hoop styles.
AND. If you use the fabric for cloth baby diapers for waterproof bags, you'll be happy to use a walking foot if your machine doesn't have adjustable presser foot height!
I do like the snap tray idea that you can unsnap & pack flat. Not sure I understood about the diapers.....
If you make waterproof bags and use the diaper fabric.....that's all! Just two different topics! Typing too fast I guess. ha
I cannot thank you enough for this valet tray idea, for the men. I love how it came out and hope you do too. Also, thank you for reminding me about the walking foot. I used it here on the vinyl and it stitched effortlessly. I made this one square-ish, as I though of a mans hands being large and reaching in for phone, change, etc. I think it works well and some of MY men may be getting some for Christmas.
How about some covers for travel size pillows using a design of a compass/star (not sure what they are called). Coffee cup wraps or embroidered picture frames. Eyeglass cases are very easy and useful. I have made shoe bags out of any fabric I had in my stash, preferring a medium weight fabric. Have not lined them at all. Hugs. Nan W
What size do you cut your shoe bags? I don't think I have ever seen embroidered picture frames, do you have apicture or link?.
What about draw string bags not too large for Laundry. When we travel I have a bag we put our undies in until we get the chance to wash them. Don't like dirty and clean mixing.
Luggage tags or the key fobs relating to something about the trip. If you want to personalize something, just put their first initial instead of whole name.
I have a whole bunch of monogrammed key fobs already made up. I would have to get her list to make sure I had the right initials. I like the luggage tag idea but all I know about the trip is they are going to Virginia Beach.