As a mama of two very active boys, and another little one on the way, I often find myself looking for ways to cut down on some of those silly time consumers that waste time and can often cause conflict. For months I spent every day in pure frustration at the clothes on my children’s floor, flung from their perfectly folded drawers in search of just the right outfit. I adored the fact that they wanted to dress themselves, but at the same time, I did not find the extra 20 minutes a day of folding to my liking.
After some thought, the boys and I came up with a solution: a day to night bag that could be hung from their bedroom door, or the edge of their bed. When turned to Mother Moon, the bag is filled with pajamas, stuffed animals and a library book lovingly chosen by their mama.
When turned to Father Sun, the bag holds all that they need for whatever activity they are to find themselves in that day. Their shoes, socks, clothes, sunscreen, etc. is all waiting for them as they awake.
Some days they choose to help pick out their clothes before bed, some days it is simply waiting for them when they rise. Whichever they choose, their drawers are clean, their floors picked up, and those extra few minutes a day that I save folding are spent snuggling, reading, or chatting with my wee ones.
Day to Night Bags
Materials
2 squares of Main Fabric A 16”x16”
2 Squares of Main Fabric B 16”x16”
2 Strips of Main Fabric A 3”x24” (adjust according to the length you desire)
2 Strips of Main Fabric B 3”x24” (adjust according to the length you desire)
1 Square of Contrasting Pocket Fabric A 8”x8”
1 Square of Contrasting Pocket Fabric B 8”x8”
Create Pockets
For the pockets: fabric paint, appliqué or embroider any pattern of your choosing centered onto the pocket.
Once that is complete, fold over the sides and bottom of the pocket ½”. Press the top edge over ¼” then again ½” and topstitch the top fold in place.
Pin the Pocket A to Main Fabric A with both right sides facing out. Topstitch around the pocket to secure it into place.
Repeat for Pocket B and Main Fabric B.
Stitch the Bags Together
With right sides together, pin and sew each bag (Main Fabric) together using a ½” seam allowance. Trim your excess seam allowance, and, being careful not to cut through your stitching, cut your corners diagonally. Set aside.
To Make Straps
With right sides together, pin one strip of Fabric A to one Strip of Fabric B. Using a ½” seam allowance, sew down the long sides of each strap to form a tube. Turn the tube right side out and press flat. Using a ¼” seam allowance, edge stitch down both long sides (if you choose).
To Construct the Bag
Place the two fabric bags together, right sides together.
Measure 2 to 3 inches in from each side, and place a pin. Using the pin as a marker, pin each strap in place. Using a ½” seam allowance, and leaving a 3″ inch opening (I leave mine on the side), stitch around the top of your bag.
Turn the bag right side out, and place Fabric A inside of Fabric B.
Top stitch around the entire bag.
Now you are ready to go from Day to Night.
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Heather Fontenot, co-editor and publisher of Rhythm of The Home, lives with her family on the Front Range of NorthernColorado. She has a passion for natural and creative living, and spends as much of her time outdoors as possible. She loves to knit, sew, garden, photograph, read and home school her two sweet little ones. She writes the blog, Shivaya Naturals, where she chronicles her life as a mother, artist, and gluten free baker.