After becoming endlessly frustrated with the random bag, that I pulled out of a closet after Galen was born, and deemed “the diaper bag”, I finally decided to do something about it (I had planned on making a diaper bag before he was born, mind you, but that was oh, only 15 months ago, so you know, I’m right on track…).
In order to have pictures taken, I had to promise Steve that I wouldn’t make any “Mama’s got a brand new bag” related comments, so I won’t, but here it is…
Going into this project, I knew that I couldn’t justify buying any new fabric. It was going to be a use-what-ever-you-can-find kind of dealy. After rummaging through my fabric stores here and a quick expedition into my former craft closet down at the old house, I came back with two different fabrics and a tin pail full of trims and notions. I wasn’t sure how simple or how complex I wanted this project to be. In the end I used a golden thread for most of the sewing, a sage thread for some contrast stitching and a bunch of chocolate brown bias tape.
The fabrics are a color-grown, organic, corded chenille in “Chai” and Amy Butler’s “Golden Covington Tile” from the Charm collection (this one is from the Tea Garden color group, a fact that had not occurred to me until just now…chai and tea garden, it’s practically begging for a bad joke about it being my tea bag).
I love the covington tiles fabric. I have no idea why I’m so attracted to this particular pattern, but I just adore it. When I found out that the Charm collection was no longer in production, I bought one yard each of my two favorite colors. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on more, but I’ve tried to content myself with stretching my two yards as far as they can go.
I made this bag using the amazing tutorial by tiny happy. I changed a lot of things, but the process was still more or less the same. My version is a whole lot bigger, the strap is longer and wider (I wanted it to be able to wear it across my body and have the strap wrap around my shoulder in a way that would make it less likely to slip). I also added a ton of pockets. My other changes are just decorative, superficial stuff.
The outside features a large pocket in the front as well as two small pockets on the sides. The small pockets are lightly padded and were added to contain my camera and respirator, both of which I like to have quick, easy access to. Inside there are two huge pockets with elastic at the top, an elastic band to hold water bottles/jars, and a large double pocket with a flap for my keys and wallet and the like.
On the whole, I’m really pretty pleased with the results. It fits exactly how I hoped, I can comfortably wear the baby and the bag at the same time, it holds a ton and all of the pockets keep everything neat and tidy.
Wow! That bag is awesome!
MrsB aka babymakes3
Tea Bag! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
What a beautiful bag! I love the fabrics you used. That Amy Butler print is amazing. great job
Thank you!