It’s finally happened.
I broke my sewing hiatus. After a bit of time working on orders and doing a LOT of travel, I got semi burnt out. I stopped sewing.
Then I made something from the Mimi G. tutorial, which led to other sewing, which led to me picking a project back up that I started in JUNE! Yes, I am ashamed to admit that I started cutting the fabric out for this beauty in June of this year. What stopped me, you ask?
52 pieces of pieces. This included three different types of interfacing and two different types of fabric. However, it came out wonderfully, and I’m just crazy enough to try it again. If I do make more of these, they will definitely be on sale in my Etsy shop, and will not be made to order. It’s just too tough with four kiddos, and all of my travel.
Anyhoo, this is the Modern Diaper Bag from Amy Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones and apparently I’m like four years late. LOL! It was definitely a task of love, and this beauty is going out to my very own giraffe friend (yes she knows that I call her that) Roshini of Glamazini.com fame. If you remember, I attended her baby shower on Memorial Day weekend, and I did not come bearing gifts because I knew that I wanted to sew her something. Yeah – three months later.
I can fit the twizzlers comfortably (one at a time though) in there, and it has six pockets, plus a cell phone pocket on the outside. I feel especially proud because so many people were not able to figure out the instructions, and I’m sure that I got them wrong too, but the pocket looks good! LOL!
Here are my thoughts on the sewing process:
Ease: It was definitely an intermediate or advanced sewing project
Would You Make It Again – Yes, but only to sell, OR for myself. Any other friends who get preggo may be a little bit out of luck.
Most Frustrating Aspect : Amy doesn’t use a lot of illustrations in her patterns. You definitely have to know what terms mean. After sewing the blossom bag, I knew to have a needle that could handle multiple layers of fabric and to sew slowly.
Fabric Needs: Lots of fusible fleece interfacing, medium weight fusible interfacing, fusible peltex interfacing, medium or decor weight fabric for the outside and any cotton for the inside. It was fabricpalooza in my room!
Notions: Thread, magnetic clasp.
As I said, the inside is very spacious and has two side pockets for bottles or any other things she wants (they have extra padding) and four main pockets.
How’d I do?
Love it! A smaller version would make a great purse for this Mema who carries sippy cups everywhere she goes!
I’m attempting to create a smaller version without the actual pattern. Hopefully, they’ll be ready right before the holidays! Thanks for coming through!
Nice! Too bad I retired from baby making.
Get one for errand running!
I love the pattern and the material. You have totally inspired me to make a diaper bag. All of those pattern pieces cn be so intimidating.
Do it! They are definitely a labor of love, but they so rock when you get the finished product! You look at it like, I DID THAT!
Amen on the pix and instructions. Am making one of these for my daughter’s best friend from childhood who is just now having her first baby. Have embroidered her name in the lining as an added touch. BUT am now to the part in the instructions on the interior pockets where it says to “pleat” and then sew 1″ parallel seam one-half inch away from fold where pleated! HUH???? Grandma says HUHHH????? Can you maybe give grandma here a tip in that? These instructions are killing me. So I’m thinking it wants me to sew the pleat in on the backside of the interior pockets to hold them ? I had to walk away yesterday from it because I was afraid I’d make a huge mistake and I’m not keen on using the seam ripper. Any tips??? I can’t figure out how this gets sewn to the lining but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. At this point I’m glad the baby’s not due until August!! Any tips greatly appreciated. I’m on instruction number 6 or 7 I think. Your bag is gorgeous. I want mine to look good too for my “other” daughter. Thanks for you consideration!
Ar eyou talking about the pockets inside? You sew an inverted pleat on the bottom of the bag (I think?) and then only sew seams on each side of the pleat one inch up. I think it’s so the opening of the pocket stays wide enough to put stuff in, but the bottom is snug enough to hold the items without them flopping all over the place. Let me see if I can get a photo up for you this week of that process. Or if the other bags that I made have pictures of the inside pockets, better than the one I posted above. Thanks for coming through, and sharing my pain with the construction of this bag! 🙂