Tutorial: Soft (Half Square Triangle) Sensory Block

I decided that it was time to put some of my coordinating scrap fabrics to good use, and a sensory block seemed like the perfect fit. The sensory blocks are made out of fleece, minky, and quilters cotton.  The variety of materials will stimulate those little fingers as baby explores different textures.  I also added scrap piece of ribbon to the half square triangle seam allowances.  Inside the block: plastic bags for a big of a crinkle, and a couple of small bells.  

 I used my Accuquilt Go! Baby fabric cutter to cut out several half square triangles.  You don't necessarily need a fabric cutter for your half square triangles, but it can make the whole process much faster and easier (especially since the seam allowances are already added to the triangles.  You could also, make the sensory blocks out of plain old regular squares, and add the tags to the side seams.

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Tutorial-Gotta Go! Portable Plastic Bag Case

I've got another tutorial for you.  Today I'm going to show you how to make this simple plastic bag storage case....though it could be used for a number of different items, I'll be using it to store old grocery sacks in my diaper bag.  Grocery bags are great to have in a diaper bag, you can wrap soiled diapers in them, or throw wet or soiled clothing in them while you are out of the house.  I'm sure that those of you with pets use them frequently for clean up as well.  No pets?  No babies?  Do you get carsick?  Keep a small case full of plastic bags in the jockey box of your car for those windy roads and long drives.

This small fabric case will help reduce the bulk of the plastic bags, and reduce the noise that they cause when you have to pull them out of your bag to search for you wallet or car keys.

I may even use it for storing extra nursing pads.  You don't really want those floating around in the diaper bag....just waiting to fall out at an inopportune time.

Want to make one?  Keep reading for the full tutorial.