Chair bags - I want to cry!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

DD has to have one. But all the ones the school are trying to sell are gross. I have been told they are easy to make, but they really don't look it. The cotton is pretty tough and it would take me MONTHS to sew (can't even sew on a button and don't own an iron type), and next year is approaching too fast.

DD wants a pretty one, with her name on and a few felt flowers etc. so I was hoping to buy a very plain one and then add some things (probably stick on with superglue).

Any ideas?

[2kidsintow]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMARTSACK-Classroom-Storage-System-Single-Organisation-Handy-Over-Chair-/350613246713?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51a22d92f9

[lougle]

Tutorial

[MisForMumNotMaid]

I instantly thought pillow case with the flap turned out. Others got there sooner!

Then print out her name in big letters, cut out, trace it the wrong way round onto the back of bondaweb £1.99 of ebay delivered ironed onto colourful fabric, cut it out, peel off the backing and iron it onto your chair bag.

If you want it to have the hand sewn look do big stitches around the ironed on letters.

You'll have enough iron on stuff to do pretty butterfly's etc.

[Periwinkle007]

yeah why do they not have desks any longer? I don't remember storage being a problem when we were at primary schools with desks, everything went in it, easy, floor was clear - bags and coats on hooks, no problems. someone needs to make school desks trendy and cheap enough again I think

[Icapturethecastle]

Oh nostalgia we always had chair bags (Australia). FYI pretty sure the one you linked to in the first blog is made with fabric from ikea.

[HairyMaclary]

Omg - I know the woman who does the blog you linked to at the beginning! I've lost touch with her since we moved back to the UK but can now contacther again! Thank you Starlight!

Can't help with the chair bag though!

[Periwinkle007]

just saw others have said similar. good point about when kids stand up and chairs tip up and do they not potentially (if full) affect fire escape routes because space between tables will be smaller as a result of them

[ClayDavis]

LackaDAISYcal, that's exactly what happens. Fine when the children are sitting on the chairs, but unless the school has very sturdy chairs (and most don't) the children stand up and 30 chairs crash to the floor simultaneously. It's an annoying PITA. Desks with some storage are a much better idea.

[Periwinkle007]

never heard of them although it does look quite a good idea if it keeps stuff off the floor I suppose but my daughter's class haven't even each got a chair so....

I would just buy a pillowcase and stitch a couple of ties on it so it ties round the chair then cut a hole in it in the right place.

[ChunkyPickle]

Killmuir and MrsDeVere have it bang on, you could just make one from a pillowcase - buy a pillowcase with a deep envelope bit, turn it inside out, and bobs your uncle!

You could cut down the sides a bit and just fold/wonderweb it in so the pocket opening is down a bit rather than at the top of the chair.

Hmmm unless the chairs are very narrow in comparison to a pillowcase... but you could just fold that over probably.

[ChippingInWiredOnCoffee]

PaintingLady to the rescue :)

[GibberTheMonkey]

Somewhere like nitnac would make you one to your requirements

[LackaDAISYcal]

I can't help have visions of 30 chairs tipping back simultaneously when the children stand up ...how safe are these when loaded up with books and water bottles?

[LaChaiseVerte]

Try crafty fb sellers, most eill fo custom orders. Try The Fabric Bug, Oh Sew Nice, Carrie's Crafts, Sew Domesticated, you're sew lovely, etc.

[LackaDAISYcal]

Yup, as a very basic sewer myself, I would buy the school one (as you know it will be the right size), glue or sew a plain panel onto the front of it in a co-ordinating colour, and then decorate that as DD wants it. That way hers will be a bit more individual and easy to find in a classroom full of them.

[outoffuel]

This one is lovely and plain- in the USA but do ship to UK. Not sure how much postage would be though! plain bag

[paintinglady]

I could make you one , but i would need to know the measurements . I have no idea what size a chair would be in a primary school !
I would be happy to do it for the cost of the fabric .

[Sokmonsta]

Turn a plain pillowcase inside out so the folded bit goes over, decorate and ta-da!

Would definitely be big enough to hold a book bag.

[Startail]

I like sewing and could make one with a pattern or a lot of time, but it really needs interfacing and good fabric.

It's likely to work out way cheaper to buy one (especially if you don't sew and have to buy everything).

Can you personalise the school ones by bonder webbing or sewing a panel of pretty fabric or her name on the back.

I like the idea, I know some classes where one child trying to get up disturbs 10 others.

The idiot who passed that shoe box sized extension as fit for purpose, needed to try and work there.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I got some fancy stuff that can print a photo onto fabric transfer so might do something like that.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Need to remember - fabric glue.

No idea where to get it but presumably online!?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I can sew in straight lines sure, but it would be tough to get the needle through the stiff fabric and take forever wouldn't it?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Great. Thank you. Lots of ideas. I don't feel so miserable now.

Perhaps a school one with a new front, or ask someone to make one. Apparently it is fast if you have a sewing machine and know how to use it.