Two Crafty Brownies

Jenny's Travel Essentials

Hello treasures! How are you doing? As I write this, I am in the Big Apple, New York City!! And when you read this, I will be on a train, somewhere between here and the other side of America......

This year our holiday destination was the choice of our second son, C. He has just finished exams, and has worked very hard, so he got to choose. We flew into New York, and are staying in Harlem, and seeing the sights for a few days before we catch the train to see our friends in California.

We are staying in one of the Brownestone houses, those archetypal red stone houses you'll see in many an American movie, with big steps up to the front door and fire escapes aplenty. They have high ceilings, ornate woodwork and brightly tiled fireplaces.
Travel is our biggest luxury. We live quite quietly, don't have a car or wear smart clothes, but we do love going away, and I have a few essentials that I never travel without.

Top of the list always is my first aid kit. I have a few staples that I keep in here. Of course it goes without saying that in any true emergency, we would immediately seek medical help, but for the minor ailments, I have to feel I am prepared!

I use this Muji bag. It has 4 compartments that are attached with Velcro so you can detach them for smaller trips.

In my first aid kit you will find:

1. Painkillers.......ibuprofen, paracetamol and something soluble for the hubby who can't swallow tablets.
2. Bite cream, antiseptic cream and bonjela for mouth ulcers.
3. A selection of plasters and wound closures.
4. Cold powders, anti sickness tablets and antihistamines in case of bites or allergies.

I also always have tweezers for splinters, a small pair of scissors and some latex gloves (I once had to dress a stranger's cuts so ever since I've carried gloves...)

I always make sure I have some crafting to do. I am making another granny triangle scarf, and I treated myself to this cross stitch leather cuff from Sew Crafty.

I take some handmade thank you cards, for friends we are staying with, or people who have gone out of their way to make our trip more enjoyable.....

And I always have a couple of pouches, for chargers, toiletries or stationery.

Do you have any essentials that you take with you every time?

Take care, lovelies!

Jenny xxxxxooooo 

Sew Your Own Travel Laundry Bag

Hello my sweetpeas! I do hope you've had a good week. I have been busy, busy, busy here in Two Crafty Brownieland. This week, I finished my very first crochet shawl!! I think it's taken about 2 months, 5 x 50g balls of wool, overnight blocking, and I am tremendously pleased with it!!

I did, however, forget to move the broom!! In other news, I have both my beloved boys home with me. J, who is 20, has just finished his first year at Uni. C,16, has just written his GCSEs and is so unbelievably happy to be done...... I am absolutely loving having them under the roof. As we have finished technically before the official school holidays, we are taking the opportunity to go away earlier than usual. We promised C his choice of trip, he has worked really hard the last few years, and we felt he deserved a good holiday. He chose America, so we are off in about 10 days time, eeeek!!

 

I have a little list of travel essentials, and one of those is a travel laundry bag to collect all those  little dirty items of clothing.. It's a very quick, easy sew. This is an unlined, zipped pouch. I decided not to make a lining so it folds up small, and you could make it in different sizes for all sorts of uses.

What you need is

A piece of fabric measuring 19" by 21" (or choose your own preferred size)

A matching zip, the same width as your fabric or just smaller

A pretty piece of binding for a hanging loop

Matching thread

Two Crafty Brownies Sewing Essentials

What you do is

Cut two pieces of your fabric. Turn a double hem along one short edge of each piece. Pin in place on the right side of the fabric. This is a bit fiddly but will make pinning your zip in much easier.

Lay your zip, right way up and pin this short edge of each piece of fabric to your zip. The fabric should be right side up, on top of the zip. Make sure the edges are lined up. Using the zipper attachment on your machine, sew the fabric onto the zip.

Now prepare your hanging loop, if you want one. I used two lengths of binding, and top stitched them together. You could also use ribbon. Fold the finished loop in half, and pin a few cm down from the zip. We will use french seams to sew up the pouch, which enclose the raw edges of the seams. Change back to your normal foot now. With right sides out, pin all around the sides and bottom of your pouch. If your zip doesn't quite meet the side, it doesn't matter. I just left little gaps there (for airing the contents out!!) Make sure your loop is lying horizontally, out of the way of your stitches, apart from the edge which you will sew over as you go.

Sew down the side with a 0.25" or 0.5cm seam allowance. Turn the corner by keeping your needle down, lifting your foot and turning the fabric. Sew along the bottom and up the other side, backstitching at start and finish. Trim any frayed bits along your seams so they don't poke out. Remember to open your zip to at least half way. Now turn the whole pouch so the wrong side is facing out. Sew again down the side, along the bottom and up the side, making sure this time your loop is horizontal inside the pouch and out of the way.

Turn the whole thing back the right way, give it a good press and admire your work!! This was really fast, I made 4 in a morning, and we are now ready for our trip!!

Do you make any travel items? Do tell! Have a lovely weekend, darlings!!

Jenny xxxxxooooo