Build a Mini City with Sewn Toy Bins – Featuring ThermoWeb’s Fusible Products & Sparkle Paste!

Hi, friends! Jennifer Long from Sew A Story here, and I’m excited to share this creative sewing project that brings both imagination and organization to your home – the City Toy Bins! These playful bins aren’t just about tidying up; they’re about sparking creativity and storytelling. Each bin transforms into a mini building, inviting your kids to explore a world of play while keeping their toys neatly tucked away. But today, we’re going a step further by showcasing how ThermoWeb’s HeatnBond products and Sparkle Paste can help you add beautiful details and polish to your project!   I created my bins using my It Takes a Village fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs, which is full of whimsical prints featuring fire trucks, houses, and community themes—perfect for these toy bins. Let’s dive in!

Materials You’ll Need:

• HeatnBond Lite Fusible Web – Perfect for securing applique details on your bins.
• HeatnBond Craft Extra Firm Fusible Interfacing – Adds structure to your bins, helping them stand tall.
• SpraynBond Fabric Stiffener – A quick spray to give your fabric even more stability before assembly.
• ThermoWeb Sparkle Paste – Add a magical shimmer to your City Toy Bins! Available in curated colors that complement the It Takes a Village fabric line.
• Fabric of your choice (we love It Takes a Village fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs!)
• Sewing machine, iron, and basic sewing tools
• The City Toy Bins Pattern, available at 50% off with the code TOYBINLOVE Grab it here.

✂️Step-by-Step: How to Add Applique Details Using HeatnBond Lite

Adding applique details is what brings these bins to life! Here’s how to create dimensional building details like windows and doors using HeatnBond Lite Fusible Web.

✨ What You’ll Need:

• HeatnBond Lite Fusible Web
• Fabric scraps for windows and doors
• An iron
• Applique scissors

Instructions:

1. Trace Your Templates: Use the City Toy Bins pattern templates to trace windows, doors, and other building features onto the paper side of HeatnBond Lite Fusible Web.
2. Fuse to Fabric: Cut out each piece, leaving a small border. Fuse the adhesive side to the wrong side of your fabric using a hot, dry iron for a few seconds.
3. Cut and Arrange: Cut out your fabric pieces along the traced lines. Arrange them on your bin panels to create your buildings.
4. Fuse to Bin Panels: Once you’re happy with the layout, peel off the paper backing and fuse the pieces to your bin panels. Press firmly for about 10 seconds to secure everything in place.
5. Stitch for Security: Finish the edges with your favorite applique stitch to ensure durability.

 

Add Some Sparkle with ThermoWeb Sparkle Paste!

Want to take your City Toy Bins to the next level? ThermoWeb’s Sparkle Paste is perfect for adding shimmer and shine to your bins, making them even more magical. Here’s how you can use it:

Suggested Sparkle Paste Colors:

• Fire Truck Red – Perfect for the Fire Station Bin
• Hero Blue – Adds a bold touch to the Police Station Bin
• Sunshine Yellow – Great for the cheerful Yellow House Bin
• Silver Shimmer – Ideal for accenting windows and doors

️ How to Apply Sparkle Paste:

1. Prepare Your Bin Panels: Once you’ve fused your applique pieces and stitched them down, place your bin panel on a flat surface.
2. Apply with a Stencil or Freehand: Use a stencil to create shapes like stars or hearts, or apply the paste freehand to accent windows, doors, or roofs. A small paintbrush or palette knife works well for this.
3. Let It Dry: Allow the paste to dry completely before assembling your bin. It dries quickly and adds a permanent sparkle that won’t flake off.

 

Make Cleanup Time Fun with These Playful Ideas!

These bins are more than just storage – they’re part of the fun. Use them to inspire mini cityscapes in your playroom, pairing each bin with its theme:

• Fire Station Bin: Store toy fire trucks and dress-up gear for little firefighters.
• Police Station Bin: Keep all the toy cars and action figures organized.
• Yellow House Bin: A sweet spot for books, dolls, and pretend play accessories.

Turn cleanup into a story-based game where your kids “deliver” toys to the right building. For example:

• Cars drive to the Fire Station.
• Action figures “check in” at the Police Station.
• Books take a trip to the Yellow House.

Download Your Free Guide: "5 Ways to Make the Most of Your City Toy Bins"

We’ve put together a free downloadable guide to help you get the most out of your City Toy Bins! From turning cleanup into a game to using the bins as part of a storytime routine, this guide is packed with tips to make playtime more meaningful. Download it here: Free Download Link Code: THERMOWEBPLAY

Get the Pattern & Special Discount!

Ready to get started? The City Toy Bins Pattern is available at 50% off for a limited time! Use code: TOYBINLOVE at checkout. Grab the pattern here.  

Share Your Mini City with Us!

We’d love to see how you make your City Toy Bins uniquely yours! Share your finished bins on social media using the hashtags:

• #SewAStory
• #CityToyBins
• #ItTakesAVillageFabric

Tag @sewastory_jenniferlong and @thermoweb so we can see and share your projects! Let’s get creative and bring a little order to the chaos with ThermoWeb, Sparkle Paste, and Sew A Story!