Travel Accessories to Sew
Vacation and travel plans come to mind when cooperating weather turns to more warmth and sunny skies. Among a myriad of travel decisions to make are to take along some organizing and carry-along essentials like ticket and passport pouches, sewing toolkit, luggage tags, baby diaper/wipes mini carryall, even a first-aid kit and sewing kit are just some easy-to-sew ideas to consider just in time for the warm weather travel season.
A few quick-to-sew travel accessories are shoe bags that will protect clothes when nestled in a suitcase, a curling iron sleeve for when time is up and the still hot iron needs to be stored, diaper and wipes case for when a full-size diaper bag will not do, jewelry roll up to keep necklaces and bracelets from tangling, luggage handle wrap to visually personalize luggage and allow for it to be easy to spot on the airport carousel. Be sure to limit personal info on luggage tags to first initial, last name, email and phone number while traveling for safety.
For convenience when traveling:
Travel ironing pad. To use on any surface when an ironing board is not available - use 2 pieces (square or rectangular shape or any size desired) of Teflon coated fabric and same size cut out of felt and same size muslin or other cotton fabric. Stack Teflon pieces both right sides up, then felt piece and muslin or cotton piece wrong side up. Stitch around all sides in a 1/2-inch seam leaving an opening for turning. Trim seam to straighten edges, then reach into opening to turn right sides out with Teflon side facing out and muslin or cotton fabric facing out as well. Felt will sandwich in-between. Stitch seam closed. Top stitch around all edges to secure layers. Attach folded ribbon or twill tape piece to the middle of one side edge so pad can be rolled up and tied. Makes a great off-to-college gift when a small travel iron is included with the ironing pad.
A super easy to sew travel sleeve for a mini curling iron can be made out of an existing or purchased insulated-against-heat hot pad or potholder. Some potholders are now silicone-coated on one side. Just fold the insulated potholder in half lengthwise (heat resistant side inside) and topstitch the long open edge and shorter bottom edge. If needed, when time to repack is short and the curling iron may be potentially still warm, insert curling iron into the sewn sleeve, wrap the electric cord to place on the outside of the sleeve and secure all with a ponytail holder or a length of folded ribbon securely held with a few stitches to an area on the outside of the sleeve.
A jewelry roll-up. Keep frustration at bay from not having to untangle delicate necklaces or search for those special earrings. All that is needed - 1/2-yard outer fabric, 1/2-yard inner (lining) fabric, 1/2-yard medium fusible interfacing, several colorful elastic ponytail holders and about 24-inches of grosgrain ribbon for tying closed. The roll-up can be any size desired, trim both fabrics to desired size. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric. Stitch both fabric pieces right sides together, leaving an opening for turning. Trim seam, turn right sides out, press and stitch opening closed. Stitch several ponytail holders near to the top of the inner fabric. Necklaces and bracelets or watches can be attached to secure. Add a small drawstring pouch to carry earrings and attach to one of the ponytail holders. Sew ribbon to one side edge of the jewelry holder, roll up and tie to secure.
Power cord roll-up. Electronic devices all come with power cords and keeping them organized can be a challenge. Create a roll up like the jewelry roll up but instead of ponytail holders to secure dangling jewelry, lay a length of 1/4 or 1/2-inch elastic across the lining attaching to two side edges, then tack with a few stitches every few inches along the length of the elastic. Gather up power cords and slip each one under a section of the elastic, roll up and tie to secure.
Whether traveling by car, boat or plane organizing an away from home adventure can be both satisfying and yet stressful when deciding on endless details. Sewing a few travel accessories can enhance the anticipated getaway as well as provide needed organization.
Shoe Bags found on Pinterest.com.
Sew happy, sew inspired.
A few quick-to-sew travel accessories are shoe bags that will protect clothes when nestled in a suitcase, a curling iron sleeve for when time is up and the still hot iron needs to be stored, diaper and wipes case for when a full-size diaper bag will not do, jewelry roll up to keep necklaces and bracelets from tangling, luggage handle wrap to visually personalize luggage and allow for it to be easy to spot on the airport carousel. Be sure to limit personal info on luggage tags to first initial, last name, email and phone number while traveling for safety.
For convenience when traveling:
Travel ironing pad. To use on any surface when an ironing board is not available - use 2 pieces (square or rectangular shape or any size desired) of Teflon coated fabric and same size cut out of felt and same size muslin or other cotton fabric. Stack Teflon pieces both right sides up, then felt piece and muslin or cotton piece wrong side up. Stitch around all sides in a 1/2-inch seam leaving an opening for turning. Trim seam to straighten edges, then reach into opening to turn right sides out with Teflon side facing out and muslin or cotton fabric facing out as well. Felt will sandwich in-between. Stitch seam closed. Top stitch around all edges to secure layers. Attach folded ribbon or twill tape piece to the middle of one side edge so pad can be rolled up and tied. Makes a great off-to-college gift when a small travel iron is included with the ironing pad.
A super easy to sew travel sleeve for a mini curling iron can be made out of an existing or purchased insulated-against-heat hot pad or potholder. Some potholders are now silicone-coated on one side. Just fold the insulated potholder in half lengthwise (heat resistant side inside) and topstitch the long open edge and shorter bottom edge. If needed, when time to repack is short and the curling iron may be potentially still warm, insert curling iron into the sewn sleeve, wrap the electric cord to place on the outside of the sleeve and secure all with a ponytail holder or a length of folded ribbon securely held with a few stitches to an area on the outside of the sleeve.
A jewelry roll-up. Keep frustration at bay from not having to untangle delicate necklaces or search for those special earrings. All that is needed - 1/2-yard outer fabric, 1/2-yard inner (lining) fabric, 1/2-yard medium fusible interfacing, several colorful elastic ponytail holders and about 24-inches of grosgrain ribbon for tying closed. The roll-up can be any size desired, trim both fabrics to desired size. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric. Stitch both fabric pieces right sides together, leaving an opening for turning. Trim seam, turn right sides out, press and stitch opening closed. Stitch several ponytail holders near to the top of the inner fabric. Necklaces and bracelets or watches can be attached to secure. Add a small drawstring pouch to carry earrings and attach to one of the ponytail holders. Sew ribbon to one side edge of the jewelry holder, roll up and tie to secure.
Power cord roll-up. Electronic devices all come with power cords and keeping them organized can be a challenge. Create a roll up like the jewelry roll up but instead of ponytail holders to secure dangling jewelry, lay a length of 1/4 or 1/2-inch elastic across the lining attaching to two side edges, then tack with a few stitches every few inches along the length of the elastic. Gather up power cords and slip each one under a section of the elastic, roll up and tie to secure.
Whether traveling by car, boat or plane organizing an away from home adventure can be both satisfying and yet stressful when deciding on endless details. Sewing a few travel accessories can enhance the anticipated getaway as well as provide needed organization.
Shoe Bags found on Pinterest.com.
Sew happy, sew inspired.
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