This easy building block play mat/storage bag sewing project makes a wonderful contained area to play and instant storage bag for those pesky building blocks that are a literal pain to step on!
This is an excellent beginner project and can be used for the larger Duplo style blocks as well as any type of smaller blocks (Legos, K’nex, etc.). Our middle grandson is just starting to show interest in the smaller Legos. He is not quite three. So naturally, no matter how hard mom and dad try, the blocks are spread out and get stepped on. Mimi to the rescue! I made him this simple building blocks play mat/storage bag with a drawstring so when the playing is done, it is easy to capture all of those little pieces.
What You Will Need for this Project
- 1.5 yards of a fun patterned fabric
- 1.5 yards of plain fabric (make sure they are similar width)
- Drawstring cord. Enough for the circumference of your circle plus 8 inches.
- Coordinating thread
- Eyelets (optional)
- Iron-on hem binding (optional)
- Fabric marking pen
- String
The How To
I started with a fun building blocks fabric from fabric.com. This fabric was 45 inches wide, so I decided that I would use the full width for the diameter of the circle. A white midweight cotton for the inside fabric works great. Plain white makes it easy to see all of those little blocks!
Simply lay both fabrics on top of each other and pin them together to secure. Cut a piece of string that is a little larger than the diameter of your circle. Tie a fabric marking pen to one end of the string. Find the center of your fabric and pin the string so that the center to the marker is the diameter of your circle. Carefully mark all the way around your circle being careful to keep the marker straight up and down and the string taught but no pulling in the center. After drawing the circle, pin inside the circle to hold both layers together and cut on your markings.
With right sides together, stitch the circles together leaving a small opening for turning it right side out. Once turned, press it flat.
The Finishing Touches
At this point, I put eyelets in the patterned side of the fabric at the opening. This will be in the drawstring casing when the mat is finished. It would also work to use small buttonholes if eyelets are not available. Reinforce the eyelet or buttonhole area with a small scrap of the fabric. I used a small piece of iron-on hem binding to adhere it before attaching the eyelets.
Stitch the opening closed at the edge. Then stitch approximately one inch from the edge all around the circle to create the drawstring casing. Cut the drawstring the length of the circumference of the circle plus a little extra so it doesn’t get pulled back in. Feed your drawstring through the casing.
That’s it, you’re done! Your little builder will now have a contained area to be super creative and mom and dad’s feet are safe. 🙂
For more great sensory play ideas for kids, visit our You’re Only Young Once page.