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View Full Version : Has anyone tried making their own diaper bag?



twinmama
03-09-2004, 11:56 PM
I keep looking at all the Ella bag options and I will go broke if I order everything I like! I'm pretty good with crafts and I keep thinking I could probably make a bag if I tried. Has anyone ever done this? Am I nuts for thinking of attempting this?

--Lisa:-)

Rachels
03-10-2004, 09:58 AM
Do you knit? There are some great patterns for knitted, felted bags! I keep toying with the idea of making one, too.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

twinmama
03-10-2004, 10:39 AM
I actually just bought a knitting kit online. I haven't knitted since I was a kid, and I only knew how to do the basics, so this time I want to try and make something besides the world's longest scarf. Can you find knitting patterns at JoAnn's or someplace like that?

--Lisa

Neatfreak
03-10-2004, 12:24 PM
If you have the time to commit to sewing, you're probably not nuts! I also covet an Ella-type bag, and my sister has volunteered to attempt making me my own custom diaper bag. It's her first niece/nephew and she's really excited. We've had some luck finding some nice patterns from the mainstream manufacturers (best ones were Simplicity and McCalls, IMO) - here are a few links so you can see what's out there:

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/mccallspatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.400004400=x&TI=40022&pageNum=1&M=&UK=32351587

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/mccallspatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.400004403=x&TI=40022&pageNum=1&M=&UK=32351587

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.3796=x&TI=10014&pageNum=4&M=&UK=32351721

http://www.simplicity.com/designFrame.cfm?designId=9806&design=5601

http://www.simplicity.com/designFrame.cfm?designId=9867&design=9658

http://www.simplicity.com/designFrame.cfm?designId=9873&design=9949

http://www.simplicity.com/designFrame.cfm?designId=9802&design=5527


One of the things that I really like about the look of the Ella bags is the contrasting piping, and if you're an experienced sewer, this should be a fairly straightforward pattern modification. Adding extra pockets to an inside lining shouldn't be too hard, either.

shishamo
03-10-2004, 05:34 PM
Someone posted this link a while back;

http://www.bundlesoflove.org/diaperpattern.htm

It looks pretty easy to me, not that I have time to sew, but I keep thinking I will someday.

Also, like Rachels mentioned, there are quite a few felted knitted diaper bags out there. There's a cute one in a book called "Knitting For Baby", Melanie Falick.

Also, check out:

http://www.knitkit.com/OregonTotes.htm

I keep thinking I will make this one as well :) I heard very good things about this bag.

miki
03-26-2004, 09:59 AM
I've made the Oregon Tote--I used the pattern of the orange and yellow bag on the website. It was fun to felt. Then I put a liner of a smooth fabric on the inside that I could just turn out to shake off lint and crumbs. It was fun to make but the bag is not big enough for much stuff. I used it as a purse. It's only big enough for a quick trips diaper bag if you pack on the light side.

hobey
03-26-2004, 11:09 AM
I'm planning on knitting up the one in Knitting for Baby once my yarn arrives. :) I need to figure out a way to knit the main bag in the round since I hate seaming. I'm thinking I'll knit the bottom and then just pick up stitches on my circs. That way I just have to sew on the pockets and straps.

I do have a question for the more experienced knitters. Is seed stitch really more sturdy than garter or stockinette once the bag is felted? If not, I may just change the stitch pattern on the bag just so it's less of a PITA to knit.

Raquel
Nathan's Mom 12/19/03

miki
03-28-2004, 07:11 PM
Raquel,

That's how the Oregon Tote is made. Pick up the stitches around the bottom and include a slip stitch at the corners for better shaping.

I've not felted anything done in seed stitch. My guess is that if you felted something done in seed stitch, it would felt up thicker (hence more sturdy) than if you felted something done in garter/stockinette for the same amount of time. If you do it in garter, you'd probably have to felt for longer to get the same thickness but then your end product would also be smaller. You also get a thicker felt if you use bulky weight instead of worsted weight yarn.

liya
03-30-2004, 04:18 PM
Havent read everyones response..but there are some great simplicity patterns at walmart!! awsome really and really easy to make....

robmab719
04-02-2004, 10:37 PM
I have this pattern:

http://www.simplicity.com/designFrame.cfm?designId=9802&design=5527

I'm in the process of adapting the pattern for the messenger-style (the one with the flap) to different dimensions (adding a couple of inches to the width) and adding bottle pockets on the sides. If I ever get it right, I think it will be the perfect bag!

loewymartin
04-05-2004, 12:54 PM
This is exactly what I was thinking of - a simple bag (with a zipper, or the messenger style) with bottle pockets on the ends!

Hmmm - I think I may have to get creative with this pattern! Thanks for sharing. And please share any advice, etc. once you get started.

Michelle

Bethann31
04-07-2004, 10:53 AM
I have one half completed on the sewing table (next to the half completed shopping cart cover, and the half completed sundress) I used some patterns for ideas, but I adapted them from an ISM bag I saw online.

Beth

Josh 3/90
Mollie 4/92
Jeffrey 12/94
and Katherine 6/03

Mikesa3
04-10-2004, 10:27 PM
>I have one half completed on the sewing table (next to the
>half completed shopping cart cover, and the half completed
>sundress)

You sound like me except I rarely get past buying the material and supplies.I have all these projects running through my mind.LOL I hope to get started on my bag this week.
Nancy-Mom to 6 great kids