Vinyl Storage Bags

You all know my penchant for cleaning and organizing. I don’t save the practice for the start of the year or for times like spring or fall, I annoy my husband and I do it all year round. I can’t help it. It’s a sickness. :) For instance, I decided late one night in December it was time to go through the toy room and get rid of things before the Christmas deluge. And then, after we returned home from our first Christmas celebration, I ran to the store to pick up zip top baggies specifically to coral all the little items my children acquired. Christmas break was spent cleaning up those creatures over and over again after each playtime scenario. I promise, I’m not nuts. I just really like when everything has a place to live. In my experience, if it doesn’t live somewhere, it can live anywhere like on the floor where it can become hazardous to one’s feet.

Well, the look of the zip top baggies was their downfall. They worked fine and I liked being able to see what was inside but they crinkled and wrinkled and once the little items were dumped out, there was no telling what stuff went into what bag. So, I made some bags I did like to fix the issue.

I had never sewn with vinyl before this project but it wasn’t as scary as I thought. I went with the simplest shape I could manage – a boxy form with the added extra of a flap and cover. I kept the sewing on the outside because I found turning it right side out aggravating and with it on the outside, the bag stood by itself really well. I added the color strip so one could hold Bug’s toys and J’s toys without confusing anyone. The toys and their ‘ownership’ fluctuate so often that it was easier just to make each of them a bag to fill as they wish.

I wanted in on the action so I used some leftover pieces to construct little bins for my cosmetics (I left off the flap). They are perfect!! Everything has a home and the best part, the vinyl can be wiped down when they get messy.

My diagram below shows, in the minimalist terms, how these bags/containers are created. I made such a variety of sizes and shapes – some made by desired measurements, some made with leftover chunks – that I thought it silly to give one set of measurements.

– If you want to make containers similar to the cosmetic ones I shared, just stick with the ‘x’, ‘a’ and ‘b’ lengths. It will create a cross shape where all the edges match and come together to create a little basket.

– If you are interested in the flap bag, make sure to add the other measurements to the extended side to ensure you have enough to not only cover the top but also, have a flap to hold the bag closed. The piece to cover the top should be at least 3/4th of the length of ‘a’ but can be made the full length if the bag will be really full.

To make, line up the edges and sew. Sewing with vinyl is tricky because it sticks to the presser foot but with this little trick using scotch tape, it wasn’t so tricky. I found using a small stitch and making sure I used the reverse step at the start and end of each line was helpful to keep the edges together.

The magnet button flap was kind of an experiment but it worked out (thankfully). I made the flaps long enough so when I attached the metal magnetic buttons, I folded the vinyl under and sandwiched a chunk of fabric in between to make it look better. The fabric hid the backside of the button and gave some color (and differentiation) to the bag.

I’m happy to report that as of now, my children are actually excited to put away their toys. No joke. I’ve been thanked multiple times for my ‘great idea’. Not to pat myself on the back too much but I agree. :) I wish I could promise the same would happen for you but I can’t. My children are just weird like their mother.