Right... *sigh*
But still...I finished my bag! Yippee!
When I found out I was expecting twins, I knew I'd need a better bag solution. I had used a shoulder bag from my university days for my other girls and loved the size, the material (strong, black canvas), and the strap, which had a shoulder pad and swivel clips. But I didn't think it would be big enough for two kids. I started looking into Petunia Pickle Bottom bags because it seems like everyone in my neighborhood has one. Even my friend who couldn't stomach buying one with her first baby bought one somewhere along the way to her second. However, I just don't get the hype. And they're pretty expensive...and I don't think they're that attractive: I think the shape is a little strange. I looked at other styles of the Petunia Pickle Bottom, but didn't see any I loved, and again...the price...I just couldn't see myself spending that much money on something I didn't love.
So I started looking for patterns and got SO lucky. Erin of Dog Under My Desk released a diaper bag pattern just this year! Perfect! I was not thrilled that she put her store on sale a mere 10 days after I purchased the pattern at full price, but I had sewn a bag from a pattern of hers before and knew they were worth the $10, so I tried to not feel too upset.
It sort of worked.
I decided to use a lightweight denim (or chambray, maybe?) from my stash for the main fabric and I ordered a piece of Handcrafted 2 by Alison Glass for the lining. I love it! I had the yellow zips already so I didn't have to order any, and I ordered the killer hardware from Bag Maker Supplies on Etsy. I think the hardware is just beautiful, I really love it and I'll definitely order it again.
Even though I complained mightily about the price of commercial diaper bags, this isn't a cheap sew, especially if you want to use AG Handcrafted fabric. I bought the main fabric too long ago to remember how much I paid, and I had most of the interfacings in my stash, but if I had to guess, I'd bet this bag cost about $75-$85 to make, including the pattern purchase. I think it's worth it.
Even though I complained mightily about the price of commercial diaper bags, this isn't a cheap sew, especially if you want to use AG Handcrafted fabric. I bought the main fabric too long ago to remember how much I paid, and I had most of the interfacings in my stash, but if I had to guess, I'd bet this bag cost about $75-$85 to make, including the pattern purchase. I think it's worth it.
I thought adding a pieced strip of Handcrafted scraps would look really cool as a focal point on the bag and I'm so glad I went to the trouble of doing it, I love how it turned out!
I also added a pocket on the inside with elastic. This was an add-on on her blog and I went ahead and added one because you can never have too many pockets, am I right?
I'm really excited to start using it. I love how it turned out! I did run into a couple problems while sewing it, but really, her patterns are amazingly written and make it pretty easy to be successful. And now, if I make the pattern again (my daughter has already requested one...we'll see), I'll know where to be careful (hint: the zipper on the top isn't lined up straight, but since it still works and hangs well, I left it).
I really recommend Dog Under My Desk patterns, especially if you're new to bag making but want to start. They're amazing!
