I've seen advertisements for a Lay n Go playmat/storage bag a few times and always thought it was really cool...but not for $65!!!!!!!! And let's be serious, it's just a cinch sack you throw toys in, so I decided to make my own!
Super easy project - all you need is fabric for the outside, fabric for the inside, and some ribbon! I decided to use PUL for the outside in case I ever wanted to use it outdoors (PUL is waterproof - this is the fabric I got), fleece for the inside so it was comfortable to sit on, and ribbon I just happen to have on hand! I got a yard of each of my fabrics and have plenty to use on other projects!
First lay your fabric out, one on top of the other, and cut as big of a circle as you want/can fit. Exact measurements don't really matter.
Next you'll need to sew 2 buttonholes large enough for your ribbon to fit through about an inch or an inch and a half from the edge of the outer fabric. Most sewing machines have "automatic buttonholes" or if yours doesn't you'll just need to sew a rectangle with a tight zig zag stitch to prevent the fabric from tearing or fraying (then use a seem ripper to cut the actual hole).
I also chose to embroider "Blocks" beneath the buttonholes just because I can. Obviously it isn't necessary and completely cosmetic!
Now, lay the two circles on top of one another with the wrong side facing out and pin them together. Then sew as close to the edge as possible and leave a little section open so you can turn the whole thing right side out. (The yellow line is the seem you're sewing)
Then you'll sew another seem a few inches in that is right beneath the buttonholes. The blue lines are the buttonholes then the green line is the seem you're sewing now.
W is still trying to remove the blocks and put them back in the bin where we used to keep them, haha. I'm hoping he'll get over that eventually...
Mine isn't quite as big as the $65 one I linked to earlier, but it works just fine for us!
It makes clean up a breeze! I just tell W to put all the blocks on the blanket and he's happy to help!
I am the owner of the Registered Trademark and patent pending product, Lay-n-Go. Please contact me immediately via email @ info@layngo.com. Thank you for your prompt attention.
ReplyDeleteHey lay in go...get over yourself. Its a very simple product to replicate.
DeleteScrew your trademark and your pending patent. People have been making cinch bags for centuries you puffed up twit.
DeleteI just made 5 of them and gave them to my son's school. I just wanted you to know that you a horrible person for thinking you can control a couple of circles and some string.
DeleteWhat's even more interesting is that someone named Melissa Wastney offered free instructions back in 2008.
DeleteHere's the link. http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2008/07/a-play-mat.html
I would hope you have been paying her royalties.
This is fabulous, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tutorial! Lay-n-go needs to chill. From what I can tell you aren't selling these yourself. Looking at their bags it's a similar concept but not the same. Sillyness.
ReplyDeleteIf she hadn't mentioned the other company or their cost she'd have been ok.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, she gave them free advertising. Anyone who likes the idea but doesn't want to make it themselves now knows exactly where they can go to buy one.
ReplyDeleteNo real email has two @ signs and the internet is full of imposter-trolls, so I am willing to bet the post from "Lay N Go" isn't really them. This lady didn't do anything wrong. This is a great post for a basic cinch sack...you can't copyright basic patterns (there is only so many ways to make a circle) and she isn't selling this pattern as a Lay N Go, merely as an alternative. Besides, the LayNGo has additional features this sack doesn't have...this is no threat to them or their trademark.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother made a same one for me when I was young. I cannot understand what kind of patent layngo has.Kind of ridiculous.
DeleteOk, I have the fabric cut into circles. Ready to do the buttonholes...do you do 2 buttonholes on each of the single pieces of fabric? Or do you do 2 buttonholes through both pieces of fabric (right side out or wrongsides together??
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me...can you imagine the possibilities... Not just for toys, how a bout a great travel bag for those day trips... easy beach bag... easy grocery bag... talk about options for the easiest bag to make. I made mine just from the pictures from the Lay n go. I didn't however think about how big it could be made.. love your pics.. Thanks for the tutorial!!!
ReplyDelete