Introducing: Project Million Amigos

My kids attend a Spanish Immersion School here locally. Each Spring Break a group from our school community travel to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for a service project organized thru Project Million Amigos. They take school supplies, clothing, toys, hygiene items, and while there have also helped build classrooms and bathrooms for the community.

The last trip they made was March 2009 due to the influenza scare this past Spring. And although our family has been unable to participate by way of traveling to Mexico with any of these groups I have tried to help by making school bags to donate. If nothing else, I can sew! Each year they take anywhere from 500 to 600 bags to give to local children and families. The bags get used daily back and forth from school as well as going shopping daily at the mercados.


Due to the postponement this past year they already have approximately 300 bags ready, but need another 300 more. We are hoping that you all will want to help us help them reach their goal of 600 bags.

Here is some basic info to get you started:

Any non-stretchy fabric of any color will work--cottons, upholstery, denim, ticking, etc. The bags do not need to be lined. Basically the bags are messenger style bags without a flap.

Finished Dimensions
14" W x 16" H (doesn't need to be exact)
Mitered corners at the bottom to square off (optional)
1 1/2" W x 26-28" long handle (approximately)

So, spread the word, leave a comment, or email us! emilylovesbaskets@msn.com We want to know whose with us and how many bags you are making. We'll email you the address of where to mail your completed bags.

Finished bags will need to be received no later than March 1, 2011. The trip will be the week of March 28, 2011. You can send them anytime before the deadline.

Note: I'll be posting a tutorial in the next couple of days of how I make them if you need a little more direction.

UPDATE (Nov. 2010): Due to changes in the trip we already have the amount of bags that will be allowed for this trip. Thanks to those of you who have already sent bags or are committed to send bags.