CABOT — To wind down and relax after a stressful day of work, some people watch TV, go for a walk or play with a pet.

For Nancy Zacherl, relaxation comes in the form of sewing, specifically in the designing and sewing of bags she makes for people to hang from their walker, wheelchair or crutches.

Zacherl, the owner of Nancy Zacherl Insurance in Saxonburg, began making these bags a year ago, making the first one last Christmas for her aunt, Alice Villing, after she moved into an assisted living facility.

"When everyone goes to the dining room to eat, the nurses move all of the (residents') walkers into another room and just line them up in order," Zacherl said. "I wanted to be able to help them know who's walker belonged to whom."

At about 9 inches by 12 inches in size, these bags, which Zacherl said have no formal name, are created for the storage of cell phones, keys, reading glasses and tissues.

"At most medical supply places, they don't have bags like this," Zacherl said. "Some drug stores sell them, but they are ugly and probably not user friendly."

But after seeing the positive reaction from her aunt, Zacherl decided to make more and donate them, mostly to assisted living facilities.

"They are the nicest things, and I like them because they are so pretty," Villing said. "I've gotten so many compliments on them, even from people who don't know me."

Using mostly washable quilted fabrics and machine stitching them together, each bag remains unique by its outward and inward design.

"I have made them with wildlife designs, patriotic themes, sports, holidays and silk with butterflies," Zacherl said.

Additionally, each bag is made with different compartments, zippers or Velcro depending on the need of the individual.

"I have had lots of different requests," Zacherl said.

Villing, who now has four of Zacherl's bags, said while her favorite bag is "white with a floral pattern," she likes them all because "they are so beautiful and practical."

Zacherl said while someone will occasionally give her money for a specific fabric request, she does not make the bags to sell for a profit.

Getting most of her order requests by word-of-mouth referrals, Zacherl makes as many as possible to give away.

Normally making about four or five per month, she said her production increased during hockey season. She said when she was in front of the TV, she could get one completed in an evening.

Other times her production increased were during the summer and holiday season, when she said she could average two to four per week, each taking about three hours to make.

"It's so fun to do, and they are so pretty," Zacherl said. "And it also makes (the recipients) feel dressed up and gives them their own identity because they are all different."

Zacherl said about 95 percent of her bags are made for walkers, but she hopes to expand her production by making cell phone carriers for crutches and Velcro bags to go underneath wheelchairs.

Expanding in another way, Zacherl also makes these bags for children in wheelchairs, on crutches or using a walker, adjusting the fabric themes as needed.

"I'll probably keep making them forever," she said.

For information, contact Zacherl by phone at 724-290-2300 or by e-mail at nancyzacherl1 @yahoo.com.