tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159069227486507012.post2458715633745326876..comments2024-01-10T19:59:34.185-08:00Comments on <center>Troop Leader Mom: Getting Started with Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors!</center>: Brownies: Sit-Upons (Sewing, Part One)Troop Leader Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014617745282473121noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159069227486507012.post-32702578344171619062017-06-10T07:13:14.005-07:002017-06-10T07:13:14.005-07:00Thank you!! This is by far the best example of a s...Thank you!! This is by far the best example of a situpon. I love that the sewing was included AND reinforced with tape to still remain waterproof. I was looking for a version with straps that didn't require sewing the straps. THIS IS IT! This Brownie leader, girls, and their parents thank you.Stacie, Troop leader in UTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159069227486507012.post-50791419757819235232015-10-25T20:19:54.349-07:002015-10-25T20:19:54.349-07:00We used reusable grocery/shopping bags, so when th...We used reusable grocery/shopping bags, so when the bag is open, the bottom part is MUCH larger than we needed for the padding we had on hand (I can't imagine trying to stuff one of these bags without flattening the bottom -- you'd need about 5-6" of padding and that would make them unwieldy, and well, not so easy to actually sit on, I think). Most padding is only about 1-2" thick. So I flattened the bag completely (folding the sides and bottom inward, so it was basically just the two squares of the larger outside pieces visible). Then punched holes all the way around (through the outer layers and inner folded layers), so the girls could "sew" it snugly around the padding inside. <br /><br />You can see in the very first picture in this post what the bags looked like when I first bought them. They were pre-flattened for easy storage. It wasn't necessary to cut them up to remove any non-waterproof surfaces. I just kept them folded flat, and slid the cushion material inside, leaving plenty of room around it to allow the girls to stitch the sides snug, and duct tape over them for added protection.<br /><br />I did not cut any part of the bags with scissors. The more you cut, the more you will have to repair/reinforce. I folded the sides and bottom in on all of them, before punching the guide holes for the girls to stitch through.<br /><br />Some leaders use vinyl/waterproof/laminated table cloths, and just cut out 2 squares per piece. That would work well too! But the grocery bags were literally $1 each, and had a built-in handle. Whereas the waterproof tablecloths would've cost us much more, because I didn't have nearly enough waterproof material on hand in my stash to work for making a large number of Sit-Upons. And waterproofing spray wears off, especially on something like this that is designed to be treated roughy and used in camping, etc.<br /><br />Now truthfully, the duct tape could work without the sewing, but since the primary reason we were making our Sit-Upons was to introduce them to hand stitching, we needed to include the sewing part before the duct tape. :)<br /><br />But since we'd introduced holes into the material, and our bags were not waterproof on the sides to begin with (even though the sides were not fully exposed -- only the two largest square sides were truly waterproof), we had to use duct tape to ensure no moisture got into the finished product. Also, it helps to reinforce the edges and make the SIt-Upons last much longer than they would without the duct tape.<br /><br />I actually had several girls use duct tape all over everything, except the handles. They had fun doing it! I didn't recommend it on the part that they'd be actually sitting on though, as duct tape edges can peel up over time (especially when dirt gets in there -- and these are guaranteed to get dirty from camp!). However, I did insist they use the duct tape to reinforce any part where moisture could get in. <br /><br />They did a great job! I hope that answers your question. If not, please let me know. :)Troop Leader Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15014617745282473121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159069227486507012.post-17163525505638489172015-10-24T08:23:40.726-07:002015-10-24T08:23:40.726-07:00Why sew and duct tape the bottom? Isn't it alr...Why sew and duct tape the bottom? Isn't it already sealed as it is the bottom of the bag? Did you cut the bottom first?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269658145141118521noreply@blogger.com