The Never Ending Diaper Bag

Perhaps I shouldn't say "never ending" or I wouldn't be writing this post. Let's just say it took me a while to get the darn thing made, but here it is:

Of course I made my own diaper bag, I mean, c'mon! haha

It's a version of a design I sell in my shop, altered to suit my (assumed) purpose. I don't make a lot of these because they take for-ever! I mean it. There are so many pieces to this thing. I must have spent the last month making this bag but I'm super happy with the result.

I started with these 2 laminated cottons from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane collection. I saw them in person and I loved the weight. For laminated fabric, it's really drapey and lightweight. I got about half a yard of each of these and added a yard of the leaf print later when I saw it on sale at a local store. It's a good thing too because I used almost every last inch of fabric.

Doing the math and cutting layout on this bag was really hard and I was so worried I wouldn't like it in the end. I had originally planned for the whole outside to be striped so it wouldn't look too girly (for Nick's sake). Obviously that plan went right out the window because of a lack of yardage.

 I wanted it to have short handles so I could carry it off my shoulder (my back doesn't like uneven distribution of weight, you won't see me with a baby sling), so the shoulder strap can be removed as needed. There's also a magnetic flap to close the top of the bag. When it's empty, the flap seems way too long, but I'm sure it'll be perfect once the bag is packed with gear.

Each end of the bag has a pocket with elastic at the top. I also used some super strong magnetic snaps to tuck the ends together, I just like the way it looks. The d-ring is where the shoulder strap attaches.

 And here's the inside. All of the pockets are lined with PUL, so everything is waterproof and/or wipe-able. I already had the PUL to make some cloth diapers, so it was an easy choice. There's a big slip pocket on the back side too, I hope this is enough pockets! I included a couple of places to hook onto as well. One side has a small ring to clamp to and the other is a clip. Don't want to lose any important toys!

If you were wondering what those extra stripey bits were, they're another set of strong magnetic straps that attach the diaper bag to the lower part of my stroller. It just seemed like a good idea to hang it from that bar that goes across. The straps snap down inside the interior pockets if we're not using them. (It's a Baby Jogger City Select, in case you're wondering. I'll probably tell you more about the stroller once I start using it. We got this one because it easily converts to a double and I hope to have another baby as soon as I can.)

So there you have it, way more information than you ever wanted about my diaper bag. :D The laminated cotton was intimidating, but easy to work with. I did use a leather needle to sew it, those layers can get pretty thick. There's also a layer of fleece behind both the main bag fabric and the lining to give it some stiffness along with a hard, removable base to help keep the shape.

 

Now, bring on the baby! I'm so ready to meet her and my back is just getting worse by the day. I'm hoping to will myself into labor this weekend since my doctor's on call and I'm technically full-term. 37 weeks and 5 days (2cm dilated). I always thought I'd get HUGE when pregnant, but my body has proven me wrong. Thank you, body. Now, please start wiggling your fingers or praying or whatever you do so that I'll go into labor!

I've Been a Busy Girl

I won't bore you with the details tonight, just lots of pictures....

I'm working on lots of new zipper pouches.


I just finished a pile of new bibs. Check out my latest monkey fabric. Cool, huh?


Six new tissue cozies for the farmer's market basket. It's getting a bit low.

I listed Ginger and Salma today. I'm finally getting some new monkeys into the shop!

A new diaper bag made it online today too. I haven't made one of these in months. I've had this one cut out for quite some time. Chico likes it, I think.

Remember that new quilted backpack I've been talking about? Well, here it is, finally done. If you want to see the other side, click here. It's reversible.

And last but not least, the latest quilted tote. It's reversible too.

If I have time tomorrow, I'll show you what else is in the works. :)

Here's the latest

I sold my one Jenny bag last week, a miracle since I was out of town, so I decided to make another one. My original plan for this bag was to make a zipper version, and one with a flap closure. Here's the result... I think it turned out really pretty. (Naturally it's on iSew.biz and Etsy)

Things are getting a bit stressful now. The movers should be here a week from tomorrow to pack up the house. That will include 99% of my sewing room. This means I'll be unable to make new things for up to 6 weeks! (omg) Lucky for me, I have a sewing machine sitting in my cousin's closet in California right now. The problem is deciding what fabric & supplies to carry with me. I'm running out of time here. sigh

The good and the bad news - I have sold 2 monkeys, a diaper bag and a backpack since I got back on Monday. I just got some REALLY cute fabric to use for another Catie Diaper Bag too, it's going to be so sweet. The bad news - (not bad really) I have a backpack & monkey to make. I need to make a baby quilt for some friends & the fabric hasn't arrived yet. When it rains it poors, right?

More good news, Nick's work visa was approved yesterday so we will actually be moving in a week or two, haha. Just wish me luck getting the house we picked out. The owner wasn't planning to allow more than one pet, I have two. Wish me luck. The property manager man thinks it won't be a problem. (crosses fingers)

Back to the old sewing table now. Tomorrow's a holiday in the UK, I gotta get this backpack done so I can ship today! Cheers! And big hugs to my poor cousin Ryan in the hospital right now after having surgery on his jaw. Poor guy is in a ton of pain, send him your good karma please...and a milkshake.

A New Catie Diaper Bag

I Thought I should make some more diaper bags, so here's the result. I already had this one cut out so it took a lot less time than usual. Even working fast, these bags take ages to make, there are just so many pieces.
I'm pretty happy with it, the colors are great. I've got a few more sets of fabics I can use to make more of this style. Catie is my favorite diaper bag style because I like using all the different colors for one bag. It's a bit different too. There are so many diaper bags out there these days, it helps to do one that's not the same as all the rest. And these babies are one of a kind, I can't duplicate them.
Take a look at my website or my Etsy shop to see more images of this bag.

It's a New Week

Well, I finished 2 custom bags & packed them up last night for shipping. I feel so free to do what I want now that I can't decide where to start.

I took a look at the views in my Etsy shop and have decided I should focus a bit on making some more diaper bags. Considering the number of shops on Etsy, I'm surprised that there aren't more available. These two bags were converted to be used as diaper bags. I have one diaper bag for sale on my website that I haven't added to the Etsy mix yet too, that'll be a good start to a Monday.

We had a busy weekend so I didn't get to do a lot of sewing. I've been spending way too much time on the coputer lately as well. I'm starting to experience a lot of pain in the old wrists. A problem I haven't had since I left my job a year ago - this week! I'm afraid I'm going to cause damage to my hands & not be able to sew at all. A bit of sewing & cutting will do me some good.

Speaking of injuries, I listened to a Podcast this weekend called "Driven to Quilt" by Nadine Ruggles of Dreamweaver's Quilts. It was the first episode, and she spoke a bit about the problem she has with her hands and a book she got that could have helped her if she'd taken the advice. Anyway, I ordered the book for myself. It's called "Pain Free Quilting" by Carole LeRoy. The book has all sorts of tips about avoiding repetative stress injury, and I can't wait to receive it. I will definitely let you know what I think of it when it arrives.

I guess I need to get to work now. I have some more new monkeys to put in my shop and cupcakes to bake today for Nick's birthday. Busy busy.

Yet another

So I've just listed my 3rd Catie Diaper Bag today, both on Etsy and iSew.biz. I got a chance to use my long awaited Dick & Jane fabrics, and I still have enough left over to make a few bibs, hooray! I'm pretty happy with this bag, you can't say it's dull, it's really bright! A lot of mom's don't seem to want the baby pastel stuff these days. This one will appeal to them, it's downright loud. It'd be great for a baby shower gift for someone who doesn't know the sex of the baby yet too, it's pretty gender-neutral. I enjoy using lots of fabrics to make these bags, but it takes ages. The cutout time is way longer because of the multiple fabrics. It's a different look compared to most diaper bags so I think it's worth it.

In other news... I've been having a lot of trouble with my sewing machine lately. Well, let me rephrase that, it's been a real pain in the neck since I got it. I find this particularly disturbing because I've only had it a year, and it cost a fortune. It's a PFAFF 2144, a very nice machine. It does embroidery too, or it would if I could get the software to work for me. Don't get me started on that. Anyway, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I can't seem to get this machine to do a simple straight stitch sometimes. This is rediculous! Every time I go to topstitch something, or stitch up anything on the small side, I get all worked up because I know the machine may not do it. Sad, no? My old $89 Brother that I got in like 1989 was better than this. Even more frustrating, is the fact that I was absolutely in love with my last PFAFF. What the heck is the deal with this thing? I'm looking forward to going back to California so I can get it serviced. It's not like I can just go without a sewing machine, it's kinda what I do.

What I'm trying to say is this... I would have had another bag done today if I hadn't had to pull the topstitching out 4 times. I ended up taking part of the machine off & cleaning it out as much as I could (this includes a good swipe with the vacuum). It seems to have helped, but I'm still not impressed. Even a less AR (anal retentive, as my boyfriend calls it) person would not accept the stitching my PFAFF is doing these days. It's criminal what I paid for this machine, it should work properly.

New Bag in Store

I decided that I should make a new Julie bag since I only have one in stock, so here it is... I already had this fabric on hand from my trip to California last September. I think these prints really suit this bag. It's so pretty and bright. Just in time for Spring, as they say.
It's got lots of pockets inside and a cool key clasp, very handy. This bag's washable too, so it works well as an every day type of bag. It's made with a double layer of fleece interlining, so it's extra sturdy & kinda nice to carry on your shoulder because of all the padding. (Makes a great diaper bag too)
Anyway, go check it out on my site & look down at the bottom of the page because I have more fabrics available for the Julie bag. There's more pictures there too. See ya!

Grommit Not Included

This cute & cuddly toy is mine, but you can have the bag!
I said I wanted to make a diaper bag with my cool fat quarter set, and I did! I think I used about 9 different fabrics to make this bag. I love how it turned out & now I want to make more. I've got 2 other complete sets of fat quarters to make bags from. I'm all fired up to sew now and am glad to have made something I really like. Thses colors are great too, not so every day for babies. I'm so into the vintage fabrics right now, there are more available all the time. I love it!
I've added this bag to my website, it's called Catie, named after one of my pseudo nieces. It's the same basic bag as Keeley, but I plan to make the Catie version in all cotton and to mix up the fabrics a bit more. The quilted, cotton diaper bags tend to be a bit sturdier as well. Please check out more photos of Caite on my site at www.iSew.biz. Happy Chinese New Year!

Fabric rules!

I'm totally addicted, not that this is a new thing. Why do these companies keep coming up with all of this great stuff? Do they think I'm made of money?

This is my latest "favorite" line of fabric. It's Building Blocks by American Jane for Moda. I love their stuff. I bought the whole fat quarter collection, which isn't cheap. Now I'm just trying to figure out what to do with it. Maybe a couple different zipper pouches or baby bibs. I've been wanting to add floppy hats to my site, you know, for kids? I think these fabrics would be great for kids products, or for teachers. The colors are great and the images too. I happen to have a weakness for vintage so this line is right up my alley. Here's an idea...how about a patchworky diaper bag using a bunch of these prints? I guess I know what I'm going to do today.

Anyway, check out my website to see a ton of fabrics that I have available for special orders. Just look at a product & you'll see the fabric choices.