Cleaning up toys can be such a hassle sometimes, so I set out to create a mat that could turn in to a bag or easily pick up items. I had seen similar concepts on the internet, but I wanted to make something that would be made out of material that I could easily acquire and something I could sew (relatively) fast.

Supplies

12 free hours of your time (may differ based on skill level)
18 in Ruler
Scissors (Pinking shears and Fabric cutting scissors)
92 5x5 in squares
Sewing machine
Old bed sheet
Circle circumference calculator (your brain is good too)
Paracord String (available at any craft store or home depot)
Pins
Iron
Safety pins

Step 1: Quilting Squares

1: Depending on your availability, cut or buy 92 5x5 in squares of cloth (I cut them because I have a ton of fabric I wanted to unload)

Step 2: Iron Squares

2: Iron squares. Skipping this step is fine if you are short on time.

Step 3: Design Squares Layout

3: Exclude the 4 corners on the ends because you will turn this into a circle. My finished design was 9x9 squares and then there were rows of 1x7 on each edge. (see picture)

Step 4: Sew Squares Into Pairs

4: Putting rights sides facing down along an entire row an pin them. Sew one long stitch down til you reach the end. DO NOT SEW BACKWARDS! After cutting it, it should look like a banner.

Step 5: Sew Squares Into Rows

5: Repeat step 4 for all the rows, still stitching one long stitch. 2 sides of the square should not be stitched.

Step 6: Cut Seams

6: Once you have finished stitching long ways, cut the seams between each square.

Step 7: Iron Seams

7: Iron the seams facing open.

Step 8: Sew Rows Together

8: Pin and sew the rows of squares together.

Step 9: Iron Rows

9: Iron seams facing out.

Step 10: Cut the Back

10: Using an old sheet, cut a square a bit larger than your patchwork.

Step 11: Draw and Cut Circles for Front + Back

11.Using a 18in ruler, chalk and a pencil make makeshift compass. Put the pencil in the middle of your cloth and line the ruler up to it. Then keeping the ruler by the pencil go all the way around marking each spot with chalk. Draw the lines together to make a circle. Place onto of your patchwork and use it as a guide to cut a similar circle.

Step 12: Find Circumference of Project

12: Find the circumference by multiplying r*2*π or use a online circumference calculator. Convert your answer to feet by dividing by 12. Mine was about 9 1/2 feet.

Step 13: Cut Long Strips for Outer Edge

13: Cut 2 4in x(in my case 4 1/4 ft, just half circumference that you got in previous step) and cut 2 4x6 rectangles.

Step 14: Sew End Seams on Strips

14: Fold and Sew end seams on all four rectangles previously cut.

Step 15: Stitch Seam on Long Strips

15: Take 1 of the longest strips and iron it in half. Stitch together. Leave about 2 inches of unsewed area on the edges. Repeat with 2nd strip.

Step 16: String Paracord String

16: Attach your Paracord string to a safety pin. Using the safety pin, bunch up your fabric and pull through until you reach the end.

Step 17: Prep Paracord

17: Use a cold iron to push the paracord to the edge of the fabric pin every 6 in or so.

Step 18: Pin Project

18: Align your circles with right sides facing together. Insert the strips on both sides with the seam your did in step 15 facing out. Where the strip ends, place the smaller strip of fabric inside the area you didn't sew and between the two circles. (See photo) Pin everything together.

Step 19: Stitch Assembly of Project

19: Stitch everything together! Leave a 3 inch opening. Since it was such a big thing, I stitched about 1/4 of the way, reinforced my stitch and checked to make sure everything looked good by flipping it right sides out.