How to Make a Peg Bag

HOW TO MAKE A FLYING SQUIRREL PEG BAG. Peg bag tutorial and FREE PATTERN.

 We love doing the housework as much as the next person (in other words, not at all!) so we're always up for finding ways to make it more fun. This cuddly flying squirrel has space in his belly for nestling clothes pegs, and will keep you company as you hang out your smalls to dry. He'd make a great gift, or you could turn him into a kids' plushie toy by simply leaving out the gap in his belly.

Fleece is stretchy, so make sure you place the pattern templates on the fabric so that the grain arrows are parallel to the selvedge - this will keep the head and tail from stretching out of shape when you stuff them. When you attach the felt nose, add a dab of glue to help hold it in place when you stitch it down, and attach the safety eyes carefully because once they're in place they're tricky to move. The finished squirrel measures 33cm (13") long, from the tip of the ears to the tail - plenty of space for filling up with all your pegs.

 MATERIALS
■    25cm (9 7/8") square of light grey fleece (you could also use flannel or a felted wool jumper)
■    25cm (9 7/8") square of sew-in fleece interfacing
■    Small scrap of dark grey felt for feet and ears
■    Small scrap of pink felt for nose
■    Pair of black 8mm safety eyes
■    20cm (8") loop of cotton cord
■    Black embroidery thread, approx 30.5cm (12")
■    Toy stuffing
■    Co-ordinating all-purpose thread
■    Embroidery needle
■    Small scissors
■    Chalk or air-erasable fabric marker

1. First, cut everything out using the templates (DOWNLOAD HERE). From light grey fleece cut two bodies, one pocket, two heads and two tails (reversing one). From the dark grey felt cut four feet and two ears. From pink felt cut one nose.

2. Transfer all of the markings to the pattern pieces using chalk or an air-erasable fabric marker. Note that a 0.5cm (1/4") seam allowance has been added to the pattern pieces that require it. Cut on the solid lines and sew on the dotted. To make a template for the pocket, retrace the bottom half of the body using the pocket line as the top.

3. Now sew the tail. Place the two tail pieces right sides (RS) together. Pin. Stitch around the tail edges, leaving the straight edge open as marked. Clip the curves and turn the tail RS out. Stuff the tail lightly, leaving the inch closest to the opening unstuffed.

4. Next, prepare the face. Poke a small hole for each eye using the tip of a pair of small scissors. Insert the safety eyes and slide the washers on the backs of the posts until they're secure.

5. Whipstitch the nose in place. Backstitch the mouth using black embroidery thread.

6. Flip one ear over so that you have two mirror image ears. Fold each ear along the fold line and press. Place the ears on the face, folded side down, as marked, and tack (baste) in place.

7. Fold the cotton cord in half and tie the ends with a slip knot. Lay the cord on the head, loop pointed downward, so that the knotted end hangs off the top of the head. Tack in place.

8. It's time to sew and stuff the head. Place the two head pieces RS together and pin well. Sew around the entire head, catching the raw edges of the ears in the seam. On the back of the head toward the bottom, pinch one layer of fabric and cut a small slit. Clip the curves and turn the head RS out through the slit. Stuff the head firmly, making sure there are no hollow spots or lumps. Slip stitch the opening closed.

9. To prepare the pocket, fold the top straight edge downward 0.5cm (1/4") and topstitch across.

10. Place the pocket on the body, lining up the edges, and tack.

11. Prepare to sew the body by first placing the tail on the body piece, as marked, and tacking in place. 

12. Next place the feet and hands on the RS of one body piece, as marked, and tack in place.

13. Now place the second body piece and the interfacing piece on top, RS together, and pin well. Stitch around the body, leaving the opening at the neck as marked.

14. Clip the curves and turn the whole body RS out. Slip stitch the opening closed.

15. Place the head on the body, as marked. Pin from the back to hold it in place. Slip stitch the head to the body, going down the marked curve and then across the neck portion of the body. You might want to stitch around twice just to be sure the head is securely stitched in place. That's it - now fill your squirrel with pegs and hang him near the clothes line ready to help out on washing day.