Mary's diaper bag

So, yesterday I just started sketching. After making half a dozen diaper bags or so over the years, and looking at oodles of them on Pinterest, I just wanted to see what I could come up with and if I could make my own version faster than the last detailed one I made, while still having lots and lots of pockets...here's how I did...

The sketch. 

Prepping front pockets

Back of the bag, with a pocket for the changing pad. 

Front zipper pocket with extra pockets inside the flap. 

Sides with elastic topped pockets

The outer shell of the bag, with loops for the strap

Front view

Front/back of lining look like this, with large divided pockets

Lining sides

Completed lining :)

Lining sewn to the outer shell...cardboard added inside the bottom for shape/stability (but removable so it's washable)...and zipper sewn to the top edge. Looking into the bag from the top

Ready for the strap to be added. 

Finished bag and foldable/wipe able diaper changing pad. 

Changing pad pocket

Another view of the front pocket flap

The little baby hat we made to go with it. 

And she loved it!!!

Lydia's quilt

The center of this quilt was made by Lydia's grandma. I've tried to use as many of the extra pieces that she had in the bag to create the borders. When I finish, it should be queen size and ready to proudly be displayed on their bed. I have never built a quilt from the outer part into the center, but seeing as the center was already quilted and I knew what size I wanted to end up with, that seemed easier I guess. I'm sewing on the second to last border and cannot wait to lay it on the floor again and see how it came out. Then I just need to put the batting between the two layers, pin, and quilt. The extra motivation on the end of this project:  I get to see Lydia for the first time in three years!

The diaper bag that almost did me in

I have never found a pattern more frustrating. Nor have I ever purposefully made straps cross. Til this one. Hopefully, God willing, I never have to make this one again. I will be on the lookout for a better diaper bag pattern. It's got all the "bells and whistles" though. 

In order to sew the side seams on, you had to drag the other side of the bag around with ya. That was a little different too. 

Here's what I mean by purposely cross crossed straps. 

And here is the finished bag. Multiple straps to choose from, the over shoulder one is removable. Two front pockets, pockets on both sides, and an inner back divided pocket that is elastic topped. Oh, and the whole thing zips closed. 

Now THAT'S a diaper bag!

A finish and a new pet peeve

Finally finished this quilted bag, that I started February 20th and had to set aside because the pattern required more tweaking then I could handle the night before my first bag party. 

This one has lots of extra pockets!  Hidden zipper one in the front and two side pockets of different sizes. Then inside, a divided pocket under and elastic one, and another elastic topped on the inside front. And of course the seams are hiding inside binding!

Here's where the new pet peeve comes in. This diaper bag has taken longer to cut out then I expected, partly because I was having to double check every pocket. Why do pattern companies think turning down the top edge of a single piece of fabric is enough on a pocket?  I don't want people to reach into a pocket and feel interfacing...that's tacky. So to make up for that, I had to remember to cut all the pockets out twice so I could line them. Fun stuff!

All of these many pieces will make one bag. Isn't it crazy how many pieces go into a diaper bag?  Hopefully next time you see this fabric, it looks like a finished diaper bag!

Triple zippers!

This large bag has three zipped hidden, stacked pockets in the front and one open topped pocket inside. Very roomy bag...beach bag sized. Removable covered cardboard bottom on the inside. This one was a fun challenge. 

This one reminds me of spring...and great weather too!

This purse started like this...

...part of which became straps...

...already starting to look like a purse :)

Then the bow detail...

...and pockets on the sides, and the loops get put on there...

And the sides make it look more like a purse...outer bag done. 

Lining sewn much the same, but with pockets. Then attached to the bag...this is what it looks like before being tucked inside. 

Pinning the lining down so it can get edge stitched. Almost done :)

Fasten the hook so the sides naturally tuck in at the top. 

Snapped (not sure why this pic is sideways)

And this is what it looks like finished. Can't wait for these last two bags to get picked up...both were special orders for ladies I have known since college days. 

Did you know there was that much involved in making a bag?  I actually skipped some of it :)

Foot pedal issues...resolved

It's not much fun to sew when your foot pedal control is out of control. I originally took it in because it was occasionally surging, which made me jump like crazy. They fixed that (thread and fabric scraps in the pedal itself) and then all of a sudden it was too responsive and sewing on its own. So back to the shop this week, only to discover they had forgotten to put the springs back in, and couldn't remember who I was (they hadn't asked my name because they cleaned it on the spot and sent me on my way) so they were just waiting for me to come back in. Today...first time I have gotten to see since then, it's stiffer to push down and actually stops sewing when you take your foot off. And now things can get done. 😄

Back to happy sewing!

Shrinking

This little bag is a mini-me of a quilted tote made last month. It is the last special order from February's bag party and I could not picture how it was going to turn out while I was trying to adjust the pattern to be the desired size. At the party, the two of us actually stared at the quilted carry-on bag for quite awhile, with the measuring tape, trying to make sure we knew what size she wanted it shrunk down to. We ended up with 12x10, from a bag that was 19x17. That's a lot of shrinking. It actually took me almost as long to adjust the pattern as it did to quilt all the pieces. I had forgotten that the bag has a oval shaped bottom when I said I could shrink it down for her, and I played around with that piece longer than any of the other ones. 

I have never shied away from challenges. My mother is to be thanked for that. She raised us with the philosophy that we could do anything we set our minds to. I owe her a debt of gratitude for that. I've been asked numerous times how I can do so many crafty things...and my answer is always the same...because mom always said I could do anything as long as I tried. Since nobody said I couldn't do it, I always just tried. I haven't liked everything I have tried to do, and sometimes my arthritis makes it hard to do some things (like cake decorating), but I enjoy trying new things and becoming good at what I've tried. Anyways, all that to say, I never stopped to think it might be hard to shrink a quilted tote pattern, or that making a smaller version was going to make for seams that weren't fun to bind, I just figured even though it might be challenging, it would be fun to try. And it is fun to see the smaller version next to the regular sized ones that I have already made a handful of. (Wish I would have taken a pic of the two of them side by side). 

Another black/white special order bag

This one took some creative thinking. It has elastic that helps it to pull in...and she wanted a large center pocket with zipper. I manipulated the pattern a bit...changed a few things and added the zipper pocket. Was able to deliver it to her Saturday night and she loved it!  And that's one of the things that makes this one of the best jobs I've ever had!

That and a great visit with friends I hadn't seen in a few years, that picked up their special-made bag AND fell in love with and bought another bag...but more than that, it was just an all-around encouraging visit. 

I'm glad that God encouraged me to go for this...and that He is more than able to use the talents He blessed me with. So thankful!!!

Quilted duffle finish!

I love the way binding gives the bag a finished look...but wrestling it through the machine always makes me cringe at how close my fingers come to getting sewn again. 

I added a full length, divided inner pocket to this one. That's a lot of thicknesses on those seams. 

Finished duffle. Features zippers on all three outer pockets, gathered pockets, and longer straps (added the extra length so it's easier to throw over her shoulder). 

End pockets are gathered and have zippers!
Written 3/7/14, but didn't publish for some reason...