We have committed to delivering 50 bags for a local agency to use in their Life Skills class.  The Self Care session is when the bags will be distributed.  We are looking forward to delivering the first 50 bags.  Help us make this happen by donating on our GoFundMe page!

25 bags will be for boys and 25 bags will be for girls.

See what is in the boy’s Refresh Bag:

See what is in the girl’s Refresh Bag:

And see how versatile the bags are:

The biggest factor in the cost per bag is what goes inside the Refresh Bags.  For the first batch we’ll include non-travel sizes of the toiletry items.  Below is a screen shot of where the costs stand today: $8.27 per bag.

Dollar Tree and WalMart seem to have the best prices that can be ordered in large quantities.

With all of the awesome fabric ready to go, the process to make the first bags started.  My goal for this part of the project was to make enough for a photo shoot.  Here’s how the first six boy bags were made.  The girl’s bags are still a work in progress, but should be done in the next few days.

Step 1: Preparing the fabric

Unfolding and Rolling the fabric.

Four of the cuts rolled. And there’s DJ, who is always right by my side when I’m sewing, always hoping whatever I’m working on is a toy for him.

Fast Forward — Outside fabric and linings cut for first batch.

Step 2:  Let the pinning and sewing begin!

Pinning the lining to the outside fabric.

Cornell sewing for the first time in years!

Ironing flat the seams.

From three pieces of fabric to one!

Step 3:  After a little more pinning, sewing and turning the fabric inside out — almost a Refresh Bag!

Sewing all around to form the bag.

DJ and Cream, “Are you making us toys?”

After turned inside out, the bag is almost complete!

Step 4: Introducing, the Refresh Bags!

First Five Bags!

Fold over the top, for stability, so the bag can stand up on it’s own.

Unfolded, the bag still needs it’s ties.

View from the inside, to show where the string will fit, to cinch the bag shut.

I scored an AMAZING deal on fabrics this past week.  Almost 100 yards of fabric for $.37 per yard!  I was expecting to pay around $5 per yard.  That’s a 92% savings from an already good price!!!

Top row is  fabric for the girl’s bags.  Bottom row is fabric for the boy’s bags.  In the background is Cream aka Beans, one of the two dogs you’re likely to see in any photos from my craft room.

I happen to hit an Amish fabric store outside of Lancaster, PA this weekend during their anniversary sale.  One table was filled with fabrics on sale for $.37 per yard.  They are nice quality fabrics, too.

I had originally planned to try to make each bag unique.  But after talking to the agency who will be the recipient of the first 50 bags, it seems that the more consistent the bags are the better.

I feel fortunate to have found a ton of nice fabric for such a great price.  It helps to keep the costs per bag down and it’s easier to work with the same fabric for hundreds of bags to come!

The idea of Refresh Bags came to me about 3 weeks ago.  Since then I’ve been trying to figure out if I can make this happen.  I’ve managed a non-profit before, but it was an already established organization.  With Refresh Bags we’re starting at ground zero, some days I feel like we’re at a negative.  For the majority of the time so far things have been moving in the right direction!

Last week I received word from a local organization that they could use 50 Refresh Bags for their upcoming class teaching kids in their teens about Self Care.  The class is on November 14 — so we’re just about 6 weeks away from needing to deliver 50 Refresh Bags!

Plans are in the works to launch around September 26ish to start a campaign to gather funds and volunteers.  Let’s make this happen!

First prototypes of final bag design.