The Bag Lady

I admit, I can't go a month without making a new bag. I'm finally growing tired of the one I've been lugging around for three months. I've made other bags for myself since then, but none that qualify as a good "diaper bag." After I spotted this skirt on flickr and ended up making it, I finally found the link to her blog and ended up going back through the archives. We have very similar tastes and styles, so I was very excited when I found the link to her shoulder bag tutorial.

I made two for Christmas gifts. I love this fabric and had two yards of it in my stash. The first one was done following the tutorial exactly (except for the measurements on the top part of the bag) and I loved how it turned out. A bag that can be made in less than two hours? Perfect! The second one is for a knitter, so I wanted to lengthen the pattern so yarn and needles could fit comfortably inside. I was pleasantly surprised by how that turned out, so I decided to make one more.

Yesterday we stopped at my favorite little fabric store to discover some just arrived bolts. These prints are not something I would normally pick out, but I was drawn to the orange color and decided to go for it. I love the button and knew immediately I had to have it.

I used some fusible fleece for this bag. Since it would be carrying about five pounds of snacks, cloth diapers, a wallet, and sippy cups, I wanted it to be sturdy. I again fiddled with the pattern a bit and added a good five inches to the bottom.

It came out perfectly. I'm very happy with it. I made three pockets inside for sippy cups, keys, and other odds and ends. I believe a bag can never have too many pockets.

And the best part about it? I finished it during one nap and I even had time to eat lunch! I love when that happens.

Comments

[Becca]

Love the button! and the fabric! You`re so clever! I want one!

[HeatherK]

Lovely fabrics! What a great little (or big) bag; thanks for the linky to the tutorial! I think that may be my first post-baby attempt at some sewing.

[Carrie]

Beautiful fabrics + wonderful results!!!!!

[Heather Wilson]

How great is that button?! I love it!
I'm loving the turquoise fabric you used on the first two bags!

Did you put pockets in the bag you made for the knitter? I am making both of my grandmothers knitting bags today as gifts and I am wondering if I should put a long narrow pocket for needles and then a smaller one for scissors, etc...just bouncing ideas around!

Have a great day =)

[rhea]

OOh, Erin, that came out sooo well. I can't wait to see you sporting l'orange around town. See you tomorrow for some antiquing!!!

XoXo

Rhea

[Nicole]

Great job on the bags! I got a laugh out of the title of this post :)
I love the button and pockets! Isn't it so great when you get to sew and eat lunch?! Yes, yes it is!!!

[Stacey]

Wonderful bag, love the idea of lots of pockets, I'm always loosing my keys to the depths of my bag...perhaps a post holiday project. By the way what's a nap? ;)

[cloth.paper.string]

i've had that very same bag on my list for ages, but wasn't sure that it would be large enough to be practical -- i see from the peek inside your bag that we have essentially the same daily haul. your results are both gorgeous and inspiring, erin.

[kirsten]

love, love, love all your bags! the fabric choices are fantastic. how do i get one?!

[Grace]

Ack! That's too cute! I'm gonna make one for me! Need a new diaper bag anyway. Well, "need" might be a stretch, lol.

[Bluebirdbaby]

Thank you all for your comments!

Heather Wilson-I only put one pocket in for little things. I made her a needle case for her birthday, so she can just roll it up and slip it in this bag. I'm not a knitter so I don't really know what "must have" pockets knitters like :)

Stacey-Naps have been pretty short here...

c.p.s.- Yes, throw a book or two in there and you have my usual daily bag contents ;)

kirsten- Would you believe I was up all night deciding whether or not I really liked the fabrics I chose? I half wanted to sell it on my blog for the material costs and make myself another one. I'm such a plain and simple kinda gal, and this fabric is so not like me :) I'm still deciding what to do...

Grace- We could work one into a trade :)

[Sara]

LOVE it! Great fabric.

[kate]

I LOVE it! You are sooo amazing! Okay... so when you linked to the bag you have been carrying around... you know, the cute linen one with the vents... well, I realized that when you first posted that a long time ago I had just stumbled across your blog and wasn't yet a permanent reader... I had copied that bag into my "ideas" file and have been wanting to make it ever since!! But I love the new one too, I may just have to go make that pattern for myself!

[amanda]

That must be Melissa's bag from Tiny Happy? What an awesome pattern. I think mine was made in one nap, too! I love your fabrics and the way you modified it to make it deeper. I am feeling inspired to make another one now!

[megin]

Must have a knitting version of those bags. Love them. Absolutely love them. Any chance we can talk about a trade or a price? I'm swooning....

[Bluebirdbaby]

megin-Are you the same megin who bought the wipe holders? If so, you have my e-mail address so e-mail me and we'll chat :) If not, my e-mail address is erin@bluebirdbabyslings.com

[emily]

fantastic bag. i've bookmarked the pattern and i see one in my future. the done-in-one-nap part, the best.

[Suz]

How charming! I love it.

[Deirdre]

Will you be posting these on your etsy site after the new year?

I'm due in March, and oh how I want one. Also want to learn how to make one, but I'm at the infant stage of learning to sew.

Love the books on your list, and look forward to reading more here.

[Melissa]

oh my! all of the bags are amazing! I especially adore the diaper bag! way to go!

[Ravenhill]

You are queen of the sewing machine! I love how you have tweaked the bag to be just right for your needs. Fun to peek inside to see all the pockets and the button is really just the thing.
The amount of things you accomplish is really impressive!
I look forward as usual to see what you will make next!

[melissa]

wow- your bag looks amazing! i really like how you added some depth to the design. looks just perfect for carrying around all those essentials. (great fabric too.)