The Story of a Mom, a Wife a Small-Business-Owner-Hopeful (Happy Baby Designs) and a Craft Lover, trying to be present (not just exist) in my life with my children, my husband and myself. Follow along with me as I chronicle my crafting and business endeavors, my true life and some mommy moments along the way .


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Car Playmat

I've seen a lot of Car Play Mats out there and I've really been wanting to make one for my son. I came up with this design after finding this great fabric at my local Joann's (it's sort of a combination of all the other playmat designs out there that I've seen). It was really easy to make and I think it came out so cute. I especially love the pockets or "garages" for the cars to park in (this was a great idea from Obsessively Stitching!). This is a great toy for around the house, but it also folds up nicely and can be thrown in to a diaper bag (or in my case my giant purse) and taken to the dr.'s office waiting room or anywhere else you need your child to be entertained!


I started with 2 pieces of fabric (the front and the back) that measured 14" x 21 1/2". This was the measurement I used because I wanted at least 3 roads for the cars to drive on. If your fabric is different, your measurement might be different.


Here's a close up of the fabric, complete with a toy store, fire station, school house, stop signs...


Next I cut my pocket material into a 11" x 5 1/2" rectangle. I double folded the sides and the bottom and ironed them down. Next, I used some leftover double fold bias tape from my Treasure Basket project and cut it to fit the top. Sew along the top edge only.



Next pin your pocket to the play side of the fabric. (Bear with me because I got on a role here and forgot to take a couple of the pictures to show my work).



I zig-zag stitched along the sides and bottom of my pocket to secure it to the play side of the fabric. Then I measured my pocket and marked 2 lines to form the "garages". Then I zig-zag stitched along the pocket to create the "garages." My pocket was about 10" long so my lines were at about 3 1/4" and 7 3/4".




Now cut a piece of your double fold bias tape about 24" long. Sew along the edge to close the tape. This will become the ties that allow you to fold and tie your mat up when not in use.



(Sorry...I skipped a few pictures here, too.) Next you want to pin the right sides of your 2 fabrics together. Fold your bias tape "ties" in half and pin it in between your 2 fabrics (making sure the ties are sandwiched between the 2 fabrics). Now sew along all 4 sides of your playmat, leaving an opening to turn your mat. Here's what mine looked like after turning it.



Iron your playmat and then sew a straight stitch around all 4 sides. This will reinforce your playmat and also close the opening where you turned it.




Now place your cars on the playmat and in the garages and have fun!



If you're closing up your playmat with the cars still in the garage, I found that the best way to close it is to fold up the bottom...



Then fold down the top...




Roll the playmat up and tie it to hold it all together. You can see that it folds up in to a pretty small, cute, little package.


Here's what it looks like when it's rolled up without the cars in it. So cute!



I can think of several little boys that we know that would LOVE to get one of these for their birthday!

If you make a playmat for that special little guy in your life, let me know. I'd love to see pictures! But as always, please only use this design for personal use, not for resale.



Linked to:

UndertheTableandDreaming
Decor Mamma


The Girl Creative

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden
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Tuesday Talent Show

Trash to Treasure Tuesdays





The Girl Creative
Making
Sumo Sweet Stuff

31 comments:

  1. Great take on the car caddy. I love seeing the different ways people come up with making these.

    I would love for you to stop by on Thursday and link up with What are little boys made of?

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  2. stopping by from "You Made it Monday" this is so cute! Would love if you stopped by to see what I made - a Quilt I am Giving Away on my blog :)

    http://lovelybud.typepad.com/lovely-bud/2010/04/happy-happy-joy-joy-its-giveaway-time.html

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  3. I LOVE this project!! I
    ve been wanting to make something similar! I just love the fabric choice. I hope that my JoAnn's has it! TFS

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  4. This is a FABULOUS project, and such perfect timing - my husband is taking me to the States on Saturday to do some shopping at Joanns, so I'll be looking for this fabric - what a great gift this will make for friends with little boys! I could have used it when my boys were little - we certainly had enough cars, lol!

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  5. This is such a cute idea! I'd love for you to link up to sundae scoop http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/04/sundae-scoop-2-link-party.html

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  6. I'm new to your blog and I LOVE this idea! I have a little boy who just made a year and when he gets older, I know he'll love this. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Thanks everyone for stopping by and being so supportive!

    I'll link up my Car Playmat to the link parties you all suggested!

    @Sandra & Queen Bee, I hope you can find this fabric at your Joann's. It's a Debbie Mumm fabric, but I don't know the name of it.

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  8. this is super cute. wish I had a sewing machine!! I have nephew coming in august and this would be a great gift!! do you have an etsy shop?? Thanks for linking to "AP Tuesdays!"

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  9. @Amy - I do have an Etsy shop (www.happybabydesigns.etsy.com) but I don't have these up...maybe I should! Thanks for your encouragement :)

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  10. my little boy is obsessed with cars - this might have to be added to my "to-make" list! Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday! www.craftedition.blogspot.com

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  11. How cute is this!! I love it. I need to make something like this for my little man!

    Alison
    http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

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  12. I really love this idea and been planning on making one for my little boy since he loves his cars so much. :) Visiting you here! :)

    Adin B
    http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-bag-ladys-40th-earth-day-freebie.html

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  13. It turn out great! The fabric is awsome!
    Back in march, I did a playmat to my nephew inspired in obsessively stitching’s one and Kleio’s belly’s: http://papgenamadeit.blogspot.com/2010/03/resposta-answer.html

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  14. WOW -- how clever and what a wonderful tutorial. This would be so convenient and it's also totally CUTE!!! Thank you for linking to the Boardwalk Bragfest!

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  15. you can always make one for your little girl in the future. you will be amazed at how much "cinderella" stuff she will collect and will always want it on hand. jewels on one side, tiara in a pocket, make up in a hidden tuck...it is all good

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  16. this is just too cute!!! I need to get my butt in gear and make one of these :) So handy to be able to whip that out of your purse when the need arises :)

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  17. That's adorable! It would make a great gift!

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  18. This is super cute! My little guy would love this! Would love to have you stop by the Sunday Showcase Party if you get a chance ~ Hope you are enjoying your weekend! This is going on my to-do! Great job!

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  19. That fabric is PERFECT!!!!! Love this!!

    Thanks for linking up!

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  20. Great fabric! Loving it! My son is obsessed with driving cars, but he hasn't got the road idea down yet. I am looking forward to making him a mat like this sometime!

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  21. Thanks so much for stopping by and linking to the Sunday Showcase! Hope you have a great week! I greatly appreciate it! This is just too cute!~~ Stephanie Lynn

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  22. Hello! I'll be featuring your car mat today! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like! Thanks for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! ~Stephanie Lynn

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  23. Hi! I love your website. This car mat is fantastic and the material is so cute. I host a link up party called TOT TUESDAYS every Tuesday where people share their recipes, crafts and activities for toddlers. I’ve also currently got a giveaway for a Mother Earth scarf at the moment. I hope you’ll stop by:

    http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/

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  24. This is adorable and so functional--kids would love it,thanks for sharing!

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  25. This is so adorable and love the fabric. Do you remember the name of it?

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  26. @gilchrist-It's a Debbie Mumm fabric, but I don't know the name of it. I should have bought a ton more of it, because I went back to my Joann's and IT'S GONE!

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  27. Cute! I always love the boy crafts. I've posted a link.

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  28. I finally got my butt in gear and made this little treasure - I wasn't able to find "your" fabric @ Joanns, so I got something else car themed :) I posted a linkback and photos to my blog tonight - I wanted to try it out with quilt batting so I didn't want to cut into the good fabric until I tested it - that's why it's in ugly stash fabric :D Tonight I'll cut out several of these and tomorrow I sew Christmas and birthday presents - thank you SO MUCH for this wonderful wonderful idea!!

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  29. An all in one setup! Well done. others at Road Rugs

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