My lovely friend Beth is having a baby in a few short weeks and her friends were sweet enough to invite me to her baby shower last weekend. I’ve had an aversion to registries for as long as I can remember, so I decided to make something for mom and baby instead of buying off the registry. Enter the crazy what-was-I-thinking moment that brought me much dread and anxiety: I bought a sewing pattern.
You know me. I can’t follow recipes and I hate to follow sewing patterns. They confound me and frustrate me, and yet, I bought this one. This pattern is Butterick 4560 (and despite all of my whining, it was actually fairly easy to follow). I bought the pattern and the fabric and sat and stared at it for about two weeks, dreading the task. I finally decided to suck it up and start cutting. And several (many) hours later, I had this!
Cute, right? The fabric on the inside is “Baby Story” from Heidi Grace. It has little doodles and words all over and says “A tall bird came and brought me a gift… of all the gifts I have ever received, this was my favorite — the gift was you.” I’m not sure who to credit for the outer fabric but it was from Jo-Ann, Etc.
I made some changes to the pattern (shocker, I know) like this antique button closure on the side pocket. It was supposed to be Velcro, as was the closure on the main flap. I have a weird tactile issue with Velcro and decided instead to use this cute button on the side and a small magnetic snap on the main flap. I also didn’t make the weird strap pad you see in the pattern pictures, it seemed unnecessary. And I didn’t make the tab on the inside that would have had a clip for your keys. That also seemed fussy. I did add in all of the elastic pockets and pouches and, despite the I spent about 28 hours making it, I’m pretty darn proud of myself for making this bag and for (mostly) following the pattern. I may even attempt another one for another pregnant friend of mine. We’ll see.
Wow, it’s amazing. And you’re nuts.
And, it is incredibly awesome and I love it and appreciate everything you did! I cannot wait to use it. You are the best – thank you, thank you!
you continue to amaze me with your talents.
what a great gift.
I love this bag!
I’m way late to the game on this…but I love this bag too. When I have a little one someday, will you make one for me?
I recognize myself in you when you say ‘I can’t follow recipes and I hate to follow sewing patterns. They confound me and frustrate me’. I have exactly the same thing! One time I tried to make a simple baby cap pattern, but it took me several hours, a lot of remaking and really a lot of frustration! At the end, I got it and yes, the baby cap is fairly simple… but I really prefer designing my own patterns!
The diaper bag is great by the way!
I am so crazy but Im looking for this fabric if you have any left will you email me at thanks! GORGEOUS BAG btw