We're off to a birthday party today for an outdoorsy, active seven year
old girl. I spent yesterday afternoon stitching this fun, (slightly
wonky) messenger bag. It's small at 8" square and I think just right:
sturdy enough to haul rocks home from the lake; cute enough to be an
actual purse if she develops an unexpected girlie phase.
I prefer to handcraft birthday presents – for my friends, for family, and for kids' birthdays. What may have begun as wise frugality has become my preference, like cooking beans from scratch instead of buying canned. (Yes, they are also cheaper, but homemade beans – and gifts – are so much yummier.)
The idea for her gift came when I noticed Pete's old khaki's in the donation box. I could see this bag in my mind immediately (only in my mind it wasn't nearly as cute!).
I cut off one leg, split it into two pieces by cutting off-center down the front and back. Then I cut a long section (for the body) and a short, slightly narrower section (for the flap). I cut the same sizes from the lining and also a strap and some applique pieces.
It stitched up in under two hours, and that was with figuring the whole
thing out and botching the first round. (Fortunately pants come with two
legs.)
We tucked in a set of letter stamps just for fun. I think I paid $1 for them on clearance. A $1 birthday gift that's cute, personal, homemade, and useful? Perfect.