The Airplane Travel Bag

Today is the official last day of school. My two middle schoolers will be all done after their fun activity day today. My three high schoolers, however, still have a week or two more of what's called mini-term. It's a required part of their schooling at the school they attend. Through the mini-terms, the kids can learn new skills and/or serve communities with service projects, usually using the new skills they learned. Not cheap, but an amazing opportunity for each kid involved!

My oldest, Josh, has gone through leadership training, learned to weld, worked for Habitat for Humanity, and is headed to Disneyland this year (after serving by working at the school). My second oldest, Emily, has worked on sewing and made pillowcases and burp cloths to donate, volunteered at a kids' camp, and this year will be hiking! My third oldest, Megan, served at a monastery last year and this year will be traveling to Pennsylvania to live with the Amish! Wow! What an opportunity! I wish I could go with her! :)

Since Megan is leaving tonight, and she requested I send some fun things along for the long plane ride, I have been sewing her a bag the past couple days! So here is her Airplane Travel Bag:

I used this this tutorial to make Megan's bag. It's amazing! It's like origami with fabric! The tutorial uses a fat quarter to make a little gift bag, but since I wanted a much larger bag, I used a 40" square.

I also cut out a 40" square of muslin and placed it behind my main fabric to strengthen the bag. Since I was going to pack the bag with travel goodies, I overlapped the sides to make room! I also stitched two rows of stitching across the bottom so the bag would fold easier and so the pockets ended at the bottom.

I added snaps to the top and each pocket.

So, now to fill the bag! First off, I have to explain something about my kids. They aren't your typical teenagers! They love hanging out with their siblings and parents, still love the little things in life, are generally innocent, and are happy people! So the things I bought for Megan reflect this! If you would like to read more about Megan, you can here.

I included: a spiral bound notebook for journaling, drawing or writing notes to friends, two activity books, an Amish novel (fitting, eh?), a new box of crayons (which she loves getting), and some mechanical pencils.

A mystery eraser (she collects erasers), travel tangrams, and stickers (to add to notes for friends).

Play-doh (which is the BEST when you're bored on a plane!), strawberry Crystal Light, gum, Mickey Mouse band-aids (she LOVES special band-aids!), and some candy bars!

All perfectly packed for her to discover after she boards the plane! :)

*Sniff* I'm going to miss her so, but I hope she learns and grows in Christ from her experiences!

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