Miles got a play medical kit for Christmas, and he loves giving us check-ups (or coming limping in saying, "I'm siiiick" and demanding pretend medical attention). We didn't have a bag or case for the tools, though, so I decided to make one for him!
It's a simple zippered pouch stiffened with iron-on interfacing, and a knitted red cross applique stitched on. Here's how I made it...
I used bulky yarn and size US 10.5 knitting needles.
- Cast on 4 stitches
- Knit 6 rows
- Cast on an additional 4 stitches at the beginning of the next row, knit across, cast on an additional 4 stitches (12 stitches)
- Knit 5 rows
- Bind off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next row, knit across
- Repeat step 5 for the next row
- Knit 6 rows
- Bind off remaining 4 stitches
I cut two pieces of fabric and two pieces of iron-on interfacing to fit the biggest piece in Miles's kit (a stethescope) and attached the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.
Then I pinned the cross in place on the right side of one of the fused pieces.
I stitched it in place with red embroidery thread. I think fabric glue would work too. And by the way, the cross could also be made out of felt, or painted on with a stencil! I just happened to have this chunky red yarn left over from my sister's sweater.
Next, I pinned the 9" zipper face down on the right side of the fabric, and stitched in place.
That little bump in the stitches! I lost my zipper foot, so I tried to make do with maneuvering the pull around while I sewed.
Then I pinned the right side of the zipper onto the right side of the other piece of fabric (so that the right sides were facing each other) and sewed it in place.
Next, I unzipped the zipper a little more than halfway open (this is important because it leaves you a way to turn the bag right-side out!) and pinned and stitched around the remaining three sides.
Then I turned it right side-out, and...
...ta-da! (Or "ta-zaa!" as Miles says.)
Simple, cute, and used supplies I already had on hand. I think that's a win. Next time there's a pretend-emergency, we'll know just where to find the right tools.