Chore Chart

What started out as a simple project involving little more than cardstock and contact paper quickly became a much more challenging project involving my sewing machine. I wanted to make a chore chart for my 5-year old. My original idea was to have a table with chores on one side and check marks on the other side. After my son completed a chore, he could stick a check mark next to it. If he got all of the chores checked off (he must complete the task well without whining to get a check mark) he would get a star. Simple enough, right? Apparently that was too simple for me. I got this crazy, hair-brained scheme to sew it using red fabric (his current favorite color) and vinyl. I made pockets to hold the checks and start that were not in use (with little appliques on front to ward off confusion). My friend Abra used her super cool tool to put two little grommets in the corners so I can hang it up (now we are just trying to think of a place where my Alexander can reach it but Elijah the climbing baby can't). It took a few hours longer than the paper one would have but it is totally awesome!

I really like that I can change out the chores. This allows me to do different things each day (as well as some that are the same every day) plus as he gets older, we just have to print out new chores to fit his skills. He really likes it - he had to describe it in great detail to his dad.

What, you may be asking, are his chores? Daily chores include - morning routine (make bed, get dressed, brush teeth...), homework, practice piano (10 minutes per day), clean dinner dishes, evening routine (brush teeth, set out clothes for tomorrow...), and clean his room before bed (all toys need to be put away). Some of the ones that change are - bath (M, W, F, Sat), dusting, laundry (put into drawers), take out recycling (this is when his dad takes out the trash). When he gets all of his jobs checked off he gets a star. When he earns five stars he gets to choose a fun activity or dessert - Zoo trip, 30 minutes of video games, trip to the park... He tends to be pretty reasonable in his requests. For example, when we were living close to family he asked for his activity to be going to the Children's Museum with grandma.

Here are instructions on how to make your own. If you want one but don't want to make one, head on over to my Etsy shop and send me an email so I can custom make you one.

Chore Chart

Finished dimensions: 16" wide by 20" tall (holds up to 8 chores and 5 stars)

Materials Needed:
Outer Fabric - 2 pieces, cut to 18"x22" each
Batting (just thick enough to give it some body) - 1 piece, cut to 18"x22"
Vinyl (to display chores, checks, and stars) - 1 piece, cut to 9"x14.5" and 1 piece, cut to 2.75"x10.5"
Pockets (to hold chores, checks, and stars when not in use) - cut 2 pieces 4"x4" and 1 piece 3.5"x7.5"
1/2" double-fold bias tape - 39.5" total, cut into 2 pieces 14.5" long and 1 piece 10.5"
Matching Thread

Instructions:
1. Baste batting to wrong side of front fabric with a wide zigi-zag stitch.

2. Attach bias tape by sewing to vinyl with a straight stitch on long sides (14.5") or larger piece (9"x14.5") and along one of the long (10.5") sides of the 2.75"x10.5" piece.3. Assemble the pockets. Fold fabric about 1/4" - 1/2" under on all sides and sew down with a straight stitch. On the top of each pocket fold down an additional 1/2" and sew down. Applique or embroider pocket fronts, if desired, now.

4. Now all of the pieces are ready to be attached to the chore chart front.a.) Start with the largest piece of vinyl. First you want to mark where you will sew. The left column (for the chores) is 6.75" wide. Each row is 1.75" tall, which leaves about 1/4" excess at the top and bottom. Once the lines have been marked, lay vinyl in position and sew with straight stitch starting with the long vertical column stitch. For the horizontal rows, start at the top left and sew one row at a time working from the top to the bottom. On the 1/4" excess on top and bottom finish with a zig-zag stitch (be sure not to go below your straight stitching).
b.) Now work with the other piece of vinyl. First put it in place and sew the long (back) edge down. Then sew the horizontal lines starting 1/4" from the top then every 2" from there (you will make five pouches and have 1/4" excess on top and bottom). Sew around top, back, and bottom with zig-zag stitch just like in part a.
c.) Attach the pockets by pinning them where you would like them to be (don't forget to allow clearance to slide the cards in and out easily). Sew around each pocket with a straight stitch (sides and bottom).

5. Now you are ready to put it all together. Lay the other piece of fabric (for the back) on the top of the chore chart with right sides together. Pin. Sew around three sides (leaving bottom open for turning) of the chore chart with about a 1/2" seam allowance (be careful not to go too far in and sew over the vinyl and pockets). Remove pins and turn right side out. Fold bottom seam inside about 3/4", pin, and top stitch all the way around with a 1/4" - 1/2" seam allowance.

6. Prepare for hanging. I used grommets on my chore chart, which gives it a nice finished, professional look. If you don't have grommets or don't desire to use them, I would suggest hand stitching a dowel to the top edge of the chore chart. You can then tie string or yarn or twine to the ends of the dowel and hang it from that. Either will work fine.Voila! Now, you have your very own chore chart. Or do you? This is my first tutorial so I wasn't sure what level of detail was appropriate. Give me feedback so I can do better next time or get sleep knowing that this wasn't just a big disaster. Good Luck! Like I said before, if you want one but don't have that burning desire to make one, go to my shop, email me, and we can get you exactly what you want.