MAKING A SIT-UPON Girl Scouts make sit-upons primarily to use when the ground is damp or to keep their clothes clean. Below are a few suggestions for making sit-upons.
Pattern. Cut waterproof material (vinyl / plastic table cloth or shower curtain) into two squares large enough to sit upon. Choose filling material (newspaper, fiberfill, foam, lightweight carpet scrap) and place between waterproof squares. Overcast the edges of the squares, fastening them together using a yarn needle threaded with yarn or string. Another choice is to use a hole punch to punch holes 2" or 3" apart around all four sides and overcast using long shoelaces, knotting at corners.
Denim. Decorate and waterproof a pair of shorts or jean cut-offs, sewing openings closed after stuffing. Use fabric or a belt to carry around their waist on hikes.
Bucket. Use a clean, 5 gallon bucket with lid. Make a pattern of the top, inside part of the lid. Cut this circle out of stiff cardboard (base) and another out of fiberfill, foam, or carpet (filling). Cut a circle of heavy vinyl (top) 3-4” bigger all around than your seating circles. Baste all around the vinyl circle with heavy thread to make a drawstring, with an inch border outside the sewing line. Lightly glue FILLING to inside of TOP, then to BASE. Using the end of the thread, gather vinyl and pull tight, and tie off. Duct tape the end of the thread to the cardboard. Apply epoxy, NOT a water-based glue, to the bucket lid and pad and press onto lid. Leave a heavy item on top until dried.
Recycled Plastic Grocery Bags. Girls each collect eight plastic grocery bags in two colors to weave together to make a sit-upon, reusing and repurposing them into a waterproof sit upon.
Fold the bags so the handles and bottoms match up and then fold them on top of each other.
Place the same color bags parallel to one each other. Help young girls understand patterns.
Weave the bags together then tuck the ends under and staple the edges.
S.W.A.P.S. (Small Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere)
These are handmade, little remembrances that one Girl Scout gives to another. They may include event names, dates, and troop numbers. Do NOT include edible foods or personal information. Typically, they include a safety pin or some way to attach them to clothing or a hat. Swapping promotes friendship and encourages girls to talk to one other, as well as being great mementos of group events. Remember to make extras!
Etiquette includes giving a swap even when another girl may not have one to give. It is considered rude to give away swaps that were given to you. Carry your give-away SWAPS separately from the SWAPS you received.