Butterfly Art Folder

I have made my 2 year old grandson a  ‘Thomas’ playmat/bag and I intended making his twin sister a tea party playmat/bag but I have not been able to buy a suitable teaset.  So back to the drawing board for Nanny!!

I decided on a pretty butterfly bag that opens to reveal crayons and notepad and I know she will  just love it – I hope you do too!!

What you need:
fabric for outer and lining  (multi-print and butterflies)
fabric for pockets (stripe)
bias binding  (I used red and white)
stiffening – (I used shapewell)
plastic (I used plastic bags that my Mum’s curtains came in)
buttons – 4
rick rack – large (about 1.5cms )
snaps (or velcro)
6 crayons
A5 drawing pad  – 21cm x 15cm

I drew a butterfly shape that incorporates an A5 size rectangle (21cm x 15 cm) You can get a copy here

Let’s make it!

I decided to use plastic to cover the fabric for the crayons – I didn’t fancy having my hard work immediately marked by crayons!!  If you choose to omit the plastic you can skip that section.

Preparation:

From the Main fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the Lining Fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the stripe, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm     (for the crayon pocket)
2 x rectangles 21cm x 15cm  plus seam allowance
2 x rectangles7cm x 25cm (for the handles)

From the plastic, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm
a rectangle  15cm x 21cm

Construction

1.  Using a dry iron (no steam) iron the stiffening to the wrong side of each of the 4 butterfly shapes.

 2.  From the striped pieces, take the large rectangle and the handles and fold right sides together long ways and stitch around, leaving an opening for turning.  Clip corners and turn to the right side. Roll between fingers and thumb and press.

(If you are not using the plastic, you will do this with the other rectangle as well)

   Place it onto the plastic the same size and fold the plastic over so all ends are together along the long side.  Pin .

5.  You will now have to sew the lines to divide the crayons – about 3.5 – 4cm apart.
( I chose to put strips of tape where I wanted to sew – it just peels away when you are done.)  

6.  Place the crayon holder onto the other sheet of plastic, with all edges meeting along the bottom.
(This is the time to check that it fits in the prescribed place on the butterfly – trim if needed )

Take the bias binding and press it in half and then pin it down the sides.   Stitch and trim.
Do the same along the top and bottom folding the ends in to finish.  Stitch and trim. Don’t worry if this doesn’t look perfect – that’s what the buttons are for!!

7.  Take your rule and align the pocket onto the right side of the butterfly fabric






8.  Starting at the top, sew down a short side, along the bottom and up the other side – starting and finishing with reverse overstitching.  This forms a pocket behind the crayons.




9.  Using a strong thread (I used embroidery thread) sew the buttons over the corners.


That’s all the pieces made so let’s put them together!


10.  Take one of the handles and one of the outside butterfly shapes.  Measuring from the centre top of your butterfly shape, pin the handle so its outer edge is 3.5″ from the centre – pin and do the same on the other side taking care not to twist your handle. (Sorry for the change in tape – 9cm)

11.  Put the outer and inner shape right sides together and pin. Repeat for the other outer, inner and handle.




12.  Sew and trim around the outside of the shape, leaving all of the bottom of the butterfly open,  Trim and clip the curves. (if you need a reminder you can see how to clip the curves here)





Turn to the right side





13.  Take bias binding, fold in half and press, then pin and sew around the central curve at the bottom of the butterfly.  Do this on both sides.





14.  Take bias strip and pin the edges of the shapes, butted together.  Fold the bias over to cover the inside as well, fold to finish ends.  Stitch.  Repeat on the other wing.

 Once again, I am not too concerned with the finish as it will be covered by the rick rack.

15. This is a little fiddly but worth the effort!  Take the rick rack and tack to hold on both sides and then stitch.  By tacking, you will ensure that it is attached on both the outside and inside with the one row of stitching.

(I stitched on the inside of the bag, with just the peaks of the rick rack showing.  This enabled me to overstitch the inside of the bag while attaching the rick rack to the outside.  )

17.  Attach snaps  (or velcro)  to the top of the wings.

 I hope you enjoy this as much as I have – I love the way it turned out!!  Could I just ask that if you make one, that you post a photo for us to see?  (There is now a button up on the right Care2Share – if you click on that it will take you to Flickr where you will be able to upload your photo – thanks heaps)

Until next time
Nanny xx