Travel Felt Board & Giveaway

When I did my bag tag, I mentioned that I was carrying a tub of playdoh and small cookie cutters around as a toddler activity bag. Another great way, to keep little hands occupied is with a travel felt board. That's ER's above, with her latest creation on it.

It's the no sew version. To make, cut a piece of fabric the same size as your piece of felt. Attach iron-on vinyl to the right side of the fabric, then attach double sided fusible webbing to the back side of the fabric and fuse it to your piece of felt. I cut around the edges with a pinking scissors to pretty it up. I fold it up and put it all in a plastic ziploc along with some felt pieces. That's the old version, I decided to change this up a bit so it wouldn't get as much wear from being folded and unfolded repeatedly.

Directions:

It's not really a board, rather it's a piece of fabric I backed with iron vinyl and then sewed to a piece of felt. The vinyl is essential to keep the backside from getting all dirty, especially at restaurants while we wait for our dinner at fancy shmancy places like Chilis, because I really don't want every meal out to come on a plastic tray!

To make one is really simple and I've improved the design since making mine to include a ribbon closure:

Cut a piece of fabric to the same size as your piece of felt, I just used the very inexpensive felt sheets that come pre-cut. They are the perfect size for rolling up and keeping in your bag without taking up too much room.Cut piece of iron on vinyl to the same size as your fabric. Follow the directions on the package and iron onto the right side of the fabric. Let it cool off before moving on.

I found iron-on vinyl sold by the roll in a plastic bag on the notions wall at Joann's Fabric, a large nationwide fabric and crafting retailer. Watch for special sales where the entire notions wall is 40-50% off and same yourself some money!
Pin and sew vinyl covered fabric to felt, with vinyl covered side facing the felt. Before beginning attach ribbon.

On one side pin a piece of ribbon folded in half so that the loose ends are sandwiched inside between the vinyl covered side of the fabric and felt. Leave a bit of the loop formed when folding the ribbon in half sticking out between the pieces of fabric. When you are sewing around your "board" catch the ribbon and sew firmly into place by sewing over, back-stitching, and then forward stitching over it. This will become your tie.

Turn inside out and sew opening shut. My beginner skills are evident by the obvious stitching up the bottom right side on the one above but it still looks cute all rolled up! Use fabric scraps to make the felt shapes and you're in business! Your toddler is kept busy, and when she's all done just roll up the whole thing, tie closed, and now you don't even need a plastic bag to keep it in!Now that was easy, but for an even simpler way to get one, come by ABC and 123: A Learning Cooperative during our first two week kick off starting March 13th, when you can win one along with all the shapes! There will be a give away every day for the first two weeks, so you'll have to keep checking to find out which day this is the prize!

UPDATE: I just learned that this project has been featured on One Crafty Place, how exciting a new button to add to my sidebar! If you have little ones you should visit and see all the great projects featured on this site, where crafts to make a handmade childhood are featured. I also helped her via Twitter look for felt food ideas, guess what my next project might be!