Making your own diaper bags...

[twofallbabies]

To all of you girls out there who were talking about sewing your own bags! I picked up two patterns tonight, and some fabric to make one or the other of them. I'm really excited, and can't wait to get started. Neither of the patterns is meant to be a diaper bag, and don't include the elasticized interior pockets, so I'm not totally sure how to do those. My Mom is an awesome "sew-er" though, so I'm sure she'll be able to point me in the right direction.

Has anyone else bought anything to make a bag? I'm dying to see what we all come up with!


Jessica, mama in MD to
Dillon 9/98 & Lucas 10/02

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif
21+ months...

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com

[robmab719]

I started one, but got discouraged after the pattern confused me. I ended up handing my gorgeous Amy Butler fabric off to my aunt, who is an awesome seamstress. She started with a Simplicity pattern and made some modifications (longer strap length, elasticized pockets on inside, longer flap). Here's what she came up with:



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10396.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10397.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10398.jpg

[Dscvrlifewith3]

That is really adorable! Great job ( to you and the aunt!)

[jasabo]

Robyn, that bag is fabulous!!! I actually just bought 2 Amy Butler patterns - the nappy bag and one of her purse patterns, and also got some fabric - actually the same two that you used, and a few others.

I love the style of your bag though. Can you tell me which pattern you used? Did your aunt have a hard time with it? I'd love to try making one like that. Also, what kind of interfacing did she use? It looks very sturdy.

I hope others post too - I'd be curious to see what everyone comes up with. This is all new to me - I've never sewn a bag before but I feel so guilty spending so much money on custom bags when I haven't even tried sewing one myself.

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[jasabo]

Jessica,
Can you tell me which patterns you got? And which interfacing? I posted a question about it on the crafts bb, and people recommended the iron on interfacing. Is that what you bought? The less I have to sew, the better :)

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[Mikesa3]

Yes,I've been working on a bag for a few weeks.I'm using a Simplicity pattern #9658 but I've made several changes.I love the two fabrics I found at my local JoAnn's.I have everything cut out and pockets sewed to inside but have to put it together.I didn't do elastic pockets because I wasn't sure how and I figured I'd mess up.I will post pictures when I get it done.Hopefully in the next week or so.
Nancy-Mom to 6 great kids

[jec2]

Wow! How cool! i wish I had the time/and equipment to sew...oh, and the know-how too :)

[twofallbabies]

How cute!! I think I recognize, and own, that pattern! :)


Jessica, mama in MD to
Dillon 9/98 & Lucas 10/02

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif
21+ months...

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com

[twofallbabies]

Absolutely get iron-on interfacing! I asked the lady at the crafts table at Walmart what to use to make the bag stand up better, and she showed me what to get. Just asked for the heaviest iron-on they have, I guess?

The patterns I bought at Walmart are both Simplicity It's So Easy, #4909 (Link: http://www.smartcart.com/1sew/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=4909SIM) and #5151 (Can't get a link, but if you go to sewingpatterns.com and type 5151 in the search box, it will come up). I'm planning to make Tote A on 4909 in a blue butterfly print from Walmart. And Bag B on 5151, but instead of tying the straps I'm just going to sew them at the top. These patterns were only $1.74 each!!!

And one of these days, I'll even get this done!


Jessica, mama in MD to
Dillon 9/98 & Lucas 10/02

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif
21+ months...

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com

[bostonsmama]

The bag you had made is soo beautiful. I'm inspired now to make my own....so, I have to know: What exact fabric patterns are those that you used Robyn? I have scoured the internet in search of these two, but none are available for purchase. When I looked at the Free Spirit website, it listed the floral as Amy Butler's Temple Flowers Sunburst Roses in Sky Blue (D883-220) and the stripe as Amy Butler's Temple Flowers Caravan Stripe (D892-402). Is this correct? Where did you order your fabrics? How long ago did you order them? Most importantly, how many YARDS did you need for that bag?

Have you washed the bag yet? Have you found that the material gets dirty if the bag sits on the floor? Did you find that the particular size you chose served all your diaper bag needs, or would you have gone larger? Does a standard changing pad fit with 4-6 diapers, wipes, snacks, nuk, and change of clothes (no bottles for BF moms)??

Wow, what a barrage of questions, would you prefer I email you?

Thanks!!

[jasabo]

Just wanted to let you know that there's a list of online distributers for her fabrics on her website. I've checked a few, and both fabrics are available.

http://www.artofthemidwest.com/amybutler/onestop.phtml

I feel like a big dork now - I didn't know Walmart sold patterns so cheaply! I bought a few at Joanne last night for 8 bucks each! Darn! Oh well - live and learn.

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[jasabo]

Jessica, thanks for posting the sewingpatters.com site. I didn't know about it, but they have a great selection! And much easier to buy then loading the boys into the car and making them endure a trip to the fabric store...I usually have a hard time getting out of there in less then half an hour.

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[robmab719]

I'm so glad everyone loves my bag. My aunt would be so proud!

Okay, I'm going to try to answer all the questions.

The pattern was Simplicity 5527. She started with the "C" bag and modified the size (to mirror my Mothership dimensions), lengthened the strap (so it could be worn messenger style) and added some additional pockets (with elastic) to the inside. She also made the flap a bit longer in front, at my request. I believe she used a double layer of heavyweight interfacing to make the bag stand like it does.

The fabrics were ordered from www.thecottonshop.net in April, I think. I used:
Temple Flowers ~ Kiwi Sky Pink Stripe (1/2 yd for flap and underside of strap)
Temple Flowers ~ Sky Flower Bursts (1 1/2 yds for outside of bag, strap and lining)

I haven't washed the bag because, honestly, I haven't used it enough to get it dirty. I still take my Mothership everywhere I think there might be dirt! lol

The size works great for me, but some might find it too large. I'm a heavy packer and usually carry the changing pad that came with my Mothership, plus 3-4 diapers, Huggies wipes case, 2 burp cloths, a bib, a change of clothes, an Avent bottle, a couple of toys and my mommy wristlet. Sometimes I even take my Kozy carrier and it fits just fine, too.

If I missed any questions, feel free to email me at robmab @ yahoo.com (no spaces).

[bostonsmama]

I just wanted to thank you for the time you took to answer our questions. Unfortunately, all of the websites seem to be out of the Kiwi Caravan stripe (must have been popular :) ), but thankfully cottonshop.net has the Sky Sunburst roses. I'm heading over to my local fabric shop- What's Your Stitch?- to see if I can order the two on the same bill. I'd hate to have two yards of fabric and no complementing liner. If not, I might tempt fate and order the floral from the net.

You know, in the pictures, the diaper bag doesn't look nearly as large as you say. Somehow, the Mothership looks so huge, and the hand-made one looks so medium. Well, excited nonetheless!

Thanks sooo sooo much!

Larissa

[twofallbabies]

Lisa,
I only use the internet sites as a way to look up patterns and search them out when others post about certain patterns they've used, I DON'T buy patterns online. When Joann Fabrics puts them on sale for 99 cents each (McCalls, Simplicity and Butterick), THAT is when I buy patterns! Although the $1.74 ones from Walmart certainly won't break the bank, and I don't think they go on sale for less. I've never paid more than $2 for a "Big 3" pattern. :) hth~!

Oh, and Joann's is going to have their patterns on sale next week: McCalls and Butterick for 99 cents each 8/19-8/21, and Simplicity for 99 cents each on 8/14 only.



Jessica, mama in MD to
Dillon 9/98 & Lucas 10/02

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif
21+ months...

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com

[jasabo]

I have a question re: straps - do you all prefer the web straps or fabric straps? I cut out my pattern last night and realized that it calls for web straps (needless to say, I didn't do a very good job reading the pattern at the fabric store). I decided last night that I'd just sew some fabric straps, but I just realized that the PPB's have web straps, and since that's a high end bag I'm wondering if web straps work better then fabric. What do you all think? FYI, I'm using a red asian fabric very similar to the Sunset Dragon Roll PPB. Which do you think would look better?

TIA!

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[robmab719]

The pattern for my bag called for web straps, too, but my aunt and I decided that fabric would be much prettier. She actually used one fabric for the top of the strap and the other fabric for the underside, which I thought was a really cute idea. Her only concern was that the strap be thick enough (she may have even used interfacing in it) so that it wouldn't bunch up on your shoulder.

[jasabo]

Jessica, you're kidding me!?! You've never paid more then $2.00?!? AND they're going on sale next week?! Ok, I just spent 7 bucks each for all my patterns this weekend, and I thought I was getting a good deal because they were 50% off (even though they're always 50% off at Joann). Duh! Looks like I have a lot to learn about sewing. Thanks for the tip though. I'll have to stop by next week and stock up :)

Lisa

[twofallbabies]

Aww, sorry I didn't tell you that sooner! Hope you got some good patterns though, and go look thru sewingpatterns.com to make your wish list for sale time! I always keep a wish list in my purse, just in case, lol! :)



Jessica, mama in MD to
Dillon 9/98 & Lucas 10/02

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif
21+ months...

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com