What to Do with a Popped Inflatable Globe

I got the kids a cool inflatable globe, not that long ago I might add. Then a tiny little hole in Siberia made it a lot less fun. But I didn't want to throw it away. So I made it into a purse. I like working with vinyl. It's a little different than sewing with cloth. You can't pin it; you need a special foot (or you can tape a metal foot, otherwise it will stick to the vinyl and not glide) and a heavy duty needle for your sewing machine; but vinyl doesn't fray. That's a definite plus. Also we are recycling/reusing when we craft with popped inflatables. This deserves a page on its own.

It took a little thinking to figure out the strap, for some reason. Maybe because there are so many different ways to make a strap. I tried crochet, weaving, and macrame, and then ended up using store bought hem tape instead. Maybe, I'll do another page on trying to figure out the strap and call it the "strap adventures".

What you need

• inflatable globe, popped or unpopped
• sewing machine, non-stick presser foot, heavy duty needle
• light blue thread
• light blue zipper, 7"
• light blue cloth hem tape, 36"
• compass or 9" circle template(I used a cookie tin lid)
• ballpoint pen
• tape
• good scissors

What to Do

• Deflate the globe. Cut it down the International Date Line, or in the Atlantic, cutting around where your globe is popped or ripped and the land areas you want emphasized in your bag. You will have to make a decision what countries you want to show. You will not be able to have an entire globe on your purse not with just one globe, anyway.
• Double the vinyl, placing the template on North America on one side and Europe, Asia, and North Africa on the other. Trace the template or use your compass with ballpoint pen making two 9" circles.
• You should have two circles. They won't be flat. Don't worry about it. It won't affect the sewing. Do not discard the waste.
• Cut a strip 27" long by 2" wide. If it's slightly curved, it won't matter. Or, sew together pieces to make a strip 27" by 2".
• Cut a slit in the strip. Sew in the zipper where you want the top to be. Mine was slightly to the left. After it is sewn in check the zipper to be sure it is unobstructed.
• Align one circle to the strip, taping at intervals so the two pieces will stay together while being sewn.
• Use a narrow zigzag stitch along the edge, all the way around the world.
• Repeat with the other side.
• Cut two slits where you want to sew in the strap. Sew closed.
• Optional: you could line the bag with another material and/or sew basting tape along the edges.