Make a Doorstep Care Pod from just what you have in your fabric stash quickly to gift to a friend or neighbour who may be struggling or in isolation. A really quick and easy sew.
Fill it with a box of tissues, a loaf of bread, nappies or a prescription you have collected for someone – or even a casserole – and leave on their doorstep to share the love and show you care. Or fill one for an overstretched health worker to show we appreciate them
As a designer I wondered what difference I could make with my skills – I know I can’t save the world, but I can give you a distraction, and I wondered if there was something I could create that would also help others, so I came up with a pattern for the Doorstep Care Pod.
This pattern and tutorial are completely free but you can perhaps make a difference by helping somebody in your neighbourhood.
There is the option to add weather resistant flaps to the top for if you are leaving outdoors on a doorstep for a while. (Not completely waterproof, but it will aid in a shower of rain to keep the contents protected)
I’ve developed the bag with integral handles and a really easy box bottom that lines up every time and it has a large square shape bottom to help the bag stand and to give lots of room in the bottom even for a dish
Download and add a tag to show you care
Finished bag approx 13 x 12”
But you can easily scale up or down to suit your needs
See the YouTube Sewalong Tutorial here: Doorstep Care Pod
Pattern Piece measurements:
Body 14 x 31”
Facing 14 x 4”
Weather resistant flap 11” Diameter circle cut in half
SA is 1cm (3/8”) unless otherwise stated
Download the templates for the handle and the tag here: HANDLE
Join my Facebook sewing board and show my your photos of filled Doorstep Care Pods here
Or post to Instagram and tag with #doorstepcarepod or #spenceroggsewingpatterns
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Feel free to share this tutorial to anyone you know who sews.
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17 comments
Barbara Gilbert
This marvelous bag’s intended purpose was incredible, and I loved it for that! Now it is going to be a Christmas gift for two dear book-loving friends as a book bag! One of them is in charge of the library at an over-55 community, and the other is a 92 year old who used to serve in that capacity, and still loves to read. I will add a pocket and a key leash inside, sewing this from a silvery gray coated canvas. I adore this bag! Thank you!
Jeanette House
I love your patterns and have made so many but I repeatedly return to many of the freebie patterns like the bottle bag, care pack and the Owl tablet stand. These patterns never date!
Like many of your fans I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of new patterns too. I should add all my makes are sold to support charities (over £4,000 this year).
Now I really must get back to my latest Craggan order!
DIANE
Thats great news Jeanette – well done, and thanks so much xx
Look forward to seeing your next Craggan
Joanne Ross
Thanks! Will look at the video again. I’m sure it will make sense when I’m actually doing it 😉
Joanne Ross
I can’t wait to make one. But I’m just wondering if I make one without the semi circle flaps, how would I turn the ‘handles’ inside out? I don’t know if I explained my question correctly.
DIANE
It’s exactly the same with or without the flaps Joanne, just watch the video. You can make with or without just as easy. Try it!
Ranae
I am going to use duck canvas, instead of zigzagging do you think it’d be ok to use my pinking shears?
DIANE
Just check your particular fabric for how much it frays when cut with the pinking shears – if it stops it fraying too much it will be fine Ranae, unless it will be washed regularly – then I would still advise a little neatening of the seams just to be sure x
Helly
Love it
Sharon
Can’t wait to make this lovely but simple bag. Thank you very much. Happy Sewing !!!
Annie Nemie
Thank you
Jan E.
Well done! Thanks so much from Texas.
Terry
Thank you…appreciate your generosity!!!
Sue
Thank you for your lovely, quick pattern and all the caring energy that is a part of it.
Sue
Kate Morris
This looks wonderful, I love it, what a fabulous idea. You are so creative & thoughtful, a winning combination for me!
Home Parker
Thank You
Sandra
Thank you for this sweet container. Such a great idea.