Son's misfortune is Mommy's Gain
 

My 5 year old was playing with a 25' measuring tape and sprung the spring inside. Yes, he got scared and came running to mommy, but all I could think of was, Cool, now I do not have to go buy one for some Snap Bags that I want to make. :D Just had to take it apart to roll up the tape measuring tape so that I do not have a pile in my sewing room. Now to get the scraps out and get sewing. To much fun for me....

When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.......and that's exactly what you did with a little help. LOL

Good save! Son was probably glad you didn't have other plans for the tape measure.

we knew that the boys are good for something. My son has one that he knock to end off. little dose he know that It is gone in my sewing room for me to do the same thing with.

Give that boy a cookie! :-)

It is a good thing that he has a quilter for a mom!! LOL Quilters know how to upcycle.

Can I have him so he could do that to his grandpas tape? :D

Sometimes it is just impossible to find fault when they break something.

My husband just brought me a broken one to use. He took it all apart for me. It is a wide one though. Wondering if it is too wide. Well as soon as I get a chance I am going to try making a snap bag. My first.

i found a 4 pack of tape measures at Big Lots for 5 bucks. I don't like to tear up a new one, but at 4 for 5 bucks, I'll force myself.

What luck. And the poor little thing thought he had done something bad.

that is a great way to look at it LOL

I will probably kick myself for pulicly humiliating myself when you answer but I have to ask anyway....what pray tell is a "snap bag"?

Here is a link to another Quilting Board member that has posted a picture of some snap bags that she created.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...r-t162231.html

I just happen to pick up a pattern for them about a week ago at a local quilt show for $.50. Had not gotten a measuring tape yet, until yesterday :o He was more scared of the noise when the spring sprung inside then anything. He was not having a good day to start with and this happens. The good thing is that we had two of them so I was not mad when it happened, just happy that I did do not have to take a brand new one apart.

These are really nice!

Great save!

Sounds like fun, I love making snap bags.

Thanks for throwing yourself on that grenade, I was prepared to take the public humiliation hit..

Snap bags
 

Where can I find instructions for these great little bags?

I am right along with you...no clue!!!

I have made these little snap bags and they are fun to make. Thank you son for the save.

Do a search - they're neat.

LOL!! That's awesome!! :thumbup:

That's terrific! I wish all my mishaps would work that well!

So so glad you know how to recycle. I do not know if I would congratulate your son or not, he might take that as permission to break up more things. lol

lol,my daughter collects broken tape measures for that reason

Okay, I missed it. What's a snap bag? Is there a tut on the board and how did I miss it since I spend oodles of time here?

What a cute story! And now I know what is used for those snap bags! LOL

Where would I find a pattern to make the Snap Bags?

It's nice when you can recycle.

I havent looked yet, but a friend told me that the dollar store carries them.

I am now on my 2nd broken tape measure. You can make some fun things with them.
At a quilt show I talked to an author of several "snappy" patterns. She said she always buys the best tape measures she can get to make her products. Something to think about.

I think the "quality" difference is in how it is housed and in the retractibility of it, the tape itself (I AM TOLD) is the same. However, I agree it is always better to buy the best quality you can afford.

I had one break once but that was before I knew about snap bags. Hopin' my present one will break sometime so I can use it!

Thanks for the thread. I went to the Stitchin Sisters website and they have all kinds of snap bags. Bookmarked for future reference!

Have fun! Make one for your son to keep his toys in as a reward :) I may have to make one after hearing about these.

OK, I don't know, what is a snap bag? Thanks

I am lost. What is it with the broken tape measure and a new bag construction?

I was thinking the same thing. I guess I have so many patterns already, I don't keep up on the "new" ones. I have several old dressmaker tapes sitting around. Something I will have to look into.