Puzzle Bag

I love puzzles! However, I don't like how the pieces end up everywhere. One kid comes over and dumps the whole box of puzzles on the floor in an instant. Then, somehow I end up putting them all away. Plus, it seems like there is always one piece missing. So, I decided to make puzzle bags for each of our puzzles.Gather your materials. You will need a puzzle, fabric, a zipper, scissors, a sewing machine with thread, and an optional ribbon for a handle.Lay your puzzle on your fabric to see how much you will need. Cut out enough to cover it plus seam allowance. I cut mine the height of my zipper.Fold your fabric in half, wrong side out. Sew about a half inch seam on the side you will be putting a zipper on. Attach your zipper. My zipper is 9" and for my puzzle it is a tight squeeze. So, make sure your puzzle will fit through the zipper.

If you haven't done zippers before, you can use the smaller step-by-step images to guide you. First, attach the zipper foot to your machine. Second, open your sewn edge. Third, place your zipper, right-side down on your sewn edge. Line the center of the zipper up with the center where the fabric meets. It would be smart to pin your zipper to your fabric. Last, sew as close as you can to the zipper on both sides. Careful not to run over your zipper or you will break a needle (like me). Now, unpick the part you sewed first to reveal the zipper.Unzip your zipper. (If you want a handle, lay a piece of ribbon inside and pin each end to the edge of your fabric.) Sew both remaining edges in about a half inch.Yay! I made it and so can you! Please let me know if you have any questions. I always hope my instructions make sense.