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:: July 30, 2007 Diaper Bag
I finished something! It took many weeks of cutting and sewing in small spurts. The pattern is Amy Butler's Nappy Bag, and this is the fifth time I've made it, the first time for myself. I was never sure if it made a good, functional diaper bag, but it definitely does. Some notes on the pattern: • It's wide rather than tall. The bag I was using before was tall, and it sucks to dig down into it to find things. It's key to have just a single stratum of diapers, blankets, burp cloths, etc. It's roomy and has six big interior pockets to organize everything. • If you wanted to take it to the next level, you could line it or make the whole thing out of waterproof fabric, say, oilcloth? I'm not sure the pattern is suitable for that, but it's worth a shot. • I wasn't sure the optional changing pad included in the pattern would be a waste of time -- now that I have a baby, I can assure you it isn't. More often than not a public restroom does not have a changing area, and you have to lay the baby on whatever germy surface is around, or in the back of your car. Even if a public restroom has a changing table, you don't want the baby laying right on it, and the changing table liner dispenser is always empty. I skipped the changing pad cover, though. • The pattern calls for these two bottle pockets, but since I'm breastfeeding I skipped them. We do use bottles, but pumped milk needs to be kept in a little cooler so I couldn't really use them anyway. The fabric -- I saw Maitreya's little handbag made from a napkin bought on sale at Anthropologie and lusted after the fabric. I went to my local store while extremely pregnant and found a whole huge tablecloth of the stuff! If you have a future or current mom in your life, this is an easy and semi-quick pattern to make as a gift. You could also stock it with some essentials: • diapers, of course -- if the baby is cloth diapered an extra cover is always appreciated, I love these Needs change as the baby gets older, of course. There are many lists out there on the internet, just Google "packing diaper bag."
Comments Tres chic! Very cool diaper bag - wish I had thought of that for my daughter - the fabric is great! I kinda went the traditional route. Posted by Julia on July 30, 2007 9:22 PM sooo glad to read about another breastfeeding mama! AND you post had my two favorite kid-related word in it: cloth diapers. rock on! Posted by nik on July 31, 2007 12:08 PM sooo glad to read about another breastfeeding mama! AND you post had my two favorite kid-related words in it: cloth diapers. rock on! Posted by nik on July 31, 2007 12:09 PM Great looking bag, I've had this pattern forever and have not sewn one up for the very reason that I wasn't sure if it was super fuctional...glad to know it is, better get stitching. Oh, love the pics of your new arrival, what a face. Posted by Stacey on July 31, 2007 12:51 PM Love that bag! I'd use it as a purse... :) Good ideas for shower gifts too, thanks! Posted by Sil on August 1, 2007 10:08 AM Groovy bag! Posted by Felicia on August 1, 2007 2:04 PM I've always eyed this pattern. I'll be a first time mom in late December and already plan to make one thanks to your review/suggestions. Posted by Jill on August 1, 2007 8:30 PM That's awesome! Posted by Maitreya on August 2, 2007 12:00 AM Hey Kim, have you ever tried the iron-on vinyl by therm-o-web? You can buy by the yard in a few places, but mostly you find it packaged. I used it as a special request on craft apron pockets. Anyway, it's clear so it works over your fav fabric and I bet it would well work here. Posted by jennifer ramos on August 2, 2007 10:41 PM Crud! I have a handful of *used* motherease diapers/covers if you are interested. Maybe next time I see ya? I can try to remember? Posted by jennifer ramos on August 2, 2007 10:44 PM What a cool looking diaper bag! They have come a long way from the nursery patterned ones we had! And wide rather than tall? Genius! Posted by Steph on August 4, 2007 6:37 AM I've made a few of those too. My edits included taking out the bottle pockets like you did (and for the same reason) and I also added a bottom to make it a bit wider since I found that when you stuff the pockets with cloth diapers it turns a funny shape and makes it difficult to find things. Lastly I added a simple button and elastic closure because stuff kept falling out. Oh and I elongated the handle so I could where it over one shoulder (which is a priceless addition). I love the fabric you chose! Posted by Stephanie on August 5, 2007 11:51 AM I *love* that fabric and using it for a diaper bag is inspired! Posted by Cassi on August 7, 2007 1:52 AM What a nice fabric! Too bad my babies will soon be without diapers ;) But it's an excellent idea as a gift! Thanx for that! Posted by hilde on August 8, 2007 2:29 AM Nice bag! I've made four from this pattern myself - for me and some friends. I love the fabric you chose. And your choice to leave out the bottle pockets was wise. I was a breast feeding mama myself, but somehow installed those pockets anyhow, and they really cut across the four other pockets too much and made them almost unusable. Posted by Heidi on August 9, 2007 12:49 AM My Mother-ease covers lasted through my three kids and I passed them on to others when I was done. They are the BEST. I have a suggestion for baby gifting a cloth diaper family. My friend gave me a thermos coffee dispenser, the kind with the button on top and the spout. You fill it with warm water in the morning and it stays nice all day. Then you get your mom to make you about thirty little washcloths out of cheap terrycloth. They are just squares serged around the edges. I used these as wipes over and over and over. We were remarkably exempt from diaper rash, and the cloth diapers and thirty wipes now help me keep the house clean as really soft rags. I love reading your blog. It takes me back in time.... my youngest is only five now, but you forget the details. Posted by Anonymous on August 17, 2007 10:56 PM Gorgeous nappy bag. I love that fabric; you lucked out on the tablecloth! My nappy bag was my first sewing project since childhood, and very satisfying. I used it all the time. Yours looks beautiful. Posted by larissa on August 28, 2007 11:19 PM |
