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Make a Hanging Toy Bag for a Crib

Craft Tutorials
Nap time is very precious, both for me and my little guy.  We mommies will do whatever it takes to preserve that time!  I’ve been dreaming up a way to keep a small stash of toys in Owen’s crib.  The stash would need to be out of sight so it’s not a distraction when he’s trying to go to sleep, but will be a fun surprise when he wakes up.  I came up with a hanging toy bag that snaps around the top rail of his crib, and I’ll show you how to make it.

**For those of you who would rather skip the sewing part, just grab a small bag and jump down to the part of the tutorial that shows you how to attach the snaps.  I wanted to make something that was more personalized to my little guy’s room.  Since I had some of the fabric I used to make his crib skirt leftover I used that, and it matches so perfectly!
Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Two snap sets
  • 17 inches of ribbon cut in half
  • One 12.5″ x 25″ piece of fabric for the outside of the bag (We’ll call this “Fabric A”)
  • One 12.5″ x 25″ piece of fabric for the inside of the bag (We’ll call this “Fabric B”)
  • One 13″ x 25.5″ piece of batting

Lay Fabric A on top of the batting, pin and sew all around the edges.  (All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.)  Then trim off the excess batting.

Fold the rectangle like the picture shows below leaving 3 inches of Fabric A showing at the top.  Sew down the right and left sides.

Next you’re going to box the corners. I measured 3 inches in from the pointy tip on the center seam and made a mark then made sure that mark on the center seam was three inches from the top and three inches from the bottom (as shown in the picture below).  

After sewing down that line, trim the tip and repeat on the other side. 

Now we’re going to move to the liner.  Fold the cut piece of Fabric B like you did earlier, leaving 3 inches of the fabric at the top.  If you’re using a two-sided fabric, be sure the right sides are folded together.  The trick here is that you’re going to sew all the way down one side and on the other side leave a 3-inch opening in the middle where my fingers are below.

Turn the liner inside out so that the seams are on the inside place it inside the outer part of the bag we made earlier.  (The right side of Fabric A will be touching the right side of Fabric B.)  Now pin the two pieces together and sew all the way around the top edge.  Turn the bag inside out using the small hole in the liner.

Once the bag is turned inside out you’ll need to attach your ribbon snaps.  Measure 3 inches over from the top flap on the bag and pin your ribbon in place.  I sewed my ribbon on, but if you’re just now joining this tutorial with a pre-made bag you can attach the ribbon with fabric glue just about 1/2 inch on the tip of the ribbon, allow it to dry and then move on to the snap part with us.

Once the ribbon tip is securely fastened to the back of your bag it’s time for the snaps.  Follow the instructions on the snap kit you bought for attaching the snaps.  The back of the bag pictured below will have the back half of the snap set.

Attach the front half of the snap set to the ribbon, like I’m doing in the picture below.  (My snaps look like little white buttons.  They came this way.  If you like this look I would recommend buying snaps that are made like that rather than glueing on buttons… that’s a choking hazard.)

Here’s a view of what the bag looks like attached to the crib from the back.

And the view from the front.  No, Owen’s crib is not always this neat… I staged it like this for the picture with the pillows I made during my second trimester.  Let me know if you attempt this project!  I’d love to see how you change it up for your little one!

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28 thoughts on “Make a Hanging Toy Bag for a Crib”

  3. April

    OMG I love this. I made something very similar about a year ago for my son’s binky’s….I put a few in there at night or nap time and then if he “loses” one in his sleep he just goes to the bag and gets one. I’ve seen him do it practially in his sleep it’s great. We’ve got them all over the house now. BUT I could never get the straps just right. So I can’t wait to try this…thanks for the wonderful tute and for sharing. I’ll send pics when I get it done.

  6. Anonymous

    That is awesome! And I have to say- the fact that you gave a no-sew option is just awesome!!!

  8. Sarah

    April, I’ll bet it’s hilarious watching your son sleep walk to get his paci’s out of the hanging bag! Too cute!
    Anne, Thanks so much for the link! I love your site!

    -Sarah from Create Studio

  13. Anonymous

    Thanks for the tutorial! I just finished one for my toddler sons crib. The only difference was I used fabric scraps for the straps. He brings toys to his crib all the time, so this will give me a spot to put them away. Thanks again!

  15. Institches

    Hi Sarah, I have a question…When you sew the liner, (fabric B) are you suppose to box the corners like Fabric A? If you don't box the corners wouldn't you end up with extra fabric inside the bag once it is turned right side out?
    Also, what happens to the 3 inch opening once the bag is turned right side out? Is it sewn close or what? Thanks for your help.

  16. Institches

    I forgot to ask…Is there any reason why the ribbon wasn't sewn inside the seam? Was it because the 1/4" seam was not large enough to hold the ribbon?

  17. Sarah

    Institches,
    These are great questions!
    1. Yes, box the corners of both the inner liner and the outer fabric so you don't have a bunch of extra fabric inside the bag.
    2. Sew the 4 inch opening you used to flip the project inside out closed. (I actually haven't sewn it closed and it hasn't been a problem on my bag, but it would be best to close it.)
    3. I didn't sew the ribbon inside the seam for two reasons: one, I wanted the flap on the top of the bag to be closer to the top of the rail of the crib and two, I wanted to be able to secure the ribbon well since my little guy tends to pull at it. I think it fits around the bed rails better (see the second to last picture of the bag on my post. )

    Happy sewing! Glad you like to project!! 🙂

  18. Tcilou

    Hi!
    Great idea!
    Thanks for this tutorial!
    I translated it in french….and if you allow me, I would put it in my blog,( http://tcilou.over-blog.com/ ) with your photos first, later with mine (when I attempt this project) but always linking to your blog….
    I didn't find the translation of Perrine…
    I hope my translation is faithful, because my english is not really good!

  19. Sarah

    Tcilou,
    I would be honored if you would like to translate my post and link back. Thank you for asking first. I'm glad you like the project and can't wait to see your hanging toy bag!
    -Sarah

  22. Nataly De Biase

    Adorei seu Blog, já estou te seguindo, obrigada por compartilhar… Sou brasileira e adicionei seu Blog, visita o meus! Está em português, mas tem tradutor!

    Beijos

  23. Mama K

    So my husband thought he came up with this idea…and I told him we could make millions! We so want one of these! I don't sew however, but I am hoping to get a sewing machine for my birthday later in the year. Would you be willing to make one for me and sell it to me?? 🙂 Thanks for the post!

  24. Sarah

    Mama K,
    I'm flattered that you like my hanging bag that much! And as much as I would love to make one for you, I have so limited free time right now that I'm afraid it would take me all year to make them at the rate I'm going on my other sewing projects! ha!

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