Finishing projects!

I've been able to get quite a few projects finished.  I guess I am really starting to feel the crunch with the store opening soon that I'm going to need some finished things for display.

Here are some photos of a few...there are more, I just haven't taken photos of yet!

Amanda's Long Awaited Bag:  we used the Laminated Cottons from Central Park by Kate Spain.  This will match the diaper tote bag I posted on before.








Bunny Wall Hanging:  I took a bunny drawing and enlarged it.  Cut it out and it became my applique pattern.  The tails are stuffed to add some dimension.  I used Sunkissed by Sweetwater.

Fabric Eggs:  I used the tutorial from Retro Mama.  Fabric is Fandango by Kate Spain

Diaper Bag

I am SO excited about this bag.  I wanted to make a bag for my sister and for her baby on the way - it is baby #3 BUT, it is going to be her FIRST girl!  Since I have a house full of girls - with only 1 boy, I love girl stuff.

I had planned on making her a bag out of the Central Park Laminated Cottons by Kate Spain.  I practiced on the Diaper Wipe Tote and was ready to take on the bag.  So we picked a pattern and uh...it was a What The Heck project - which is one of those 'where the picture is super neat yet you follow the directions to the T and what you made doesn't really look like the picture' project.  I'll post some pictures of that but I'm too excited about this bag.

I went online and found some bags that I thought were neat and played around with the pattern until I got exactly what I wanted.  I made it in some leftover Bliss by Bonnie & Camille from the Diaper Wipe Tote project.  I cannot believe how easy it was and it turned out EXACTLY how I had hoped.  Bags like this one were selling for $150!! 

When I make Amanda's bag tomorrow I'll take some pictures and put up some tutorials for how I did some of the details.  I've got so many ideas of other bags I wish I could stay home and work on these tomorrow!  That will be a bonus when my shop opens...I get to say, sorry honey - I have to work on this project for the shop.  Wonder if he'll go for it.

Diaper  Bag

by Chickadee Shops

Dimensions:  11.5" x 14.5" x 6"

• Magnetic Snap Closure
• Adjustable Straps
• Converts to Stroller Bag
• 6 Interior Pockets
• 2 Side Pockets
• Large Back Pocket has Velcro Closure
• Interior Zipper Pocket
• Hard Bottom with Nickel Feet

Front of bag - flap closes with a magnetic snap closure - handles have an adjustable slide so the strap can be lengthened or shortened

6 Interior pockets and a Zipper pocket

Straps are on D-Rings with a Swivel Clasp - converts easily to a Stroller Bag

Back Pocket with Velcro Closure

Metal Nickel Feet with Hard Bottom

Diaper Tote & Changing Pad

I got the Diaper Tote and Changing Pad finished using the Laminated Cottons of Central Park by Kate Spain.  This was much easier to work with than I expected.  I used a walking foot and that kept it from slipping.  What I found to be most useful was I used this 1/8" double stick binding/seam tape that was perfect for holding my binding in place until I sewed it.

I followed the same directions that I used when I made the sample Tote in Bliss by Bonnie & Camille.

I have a Diaper Bag to add to this set and then I'm sending it to Australia for my little sister's baby girl that is due in July!

  Diaper Tote open - Changing Pad in background

Diaper Pad folded in Tote. There is room for wipes and 2 diapers.

On the handle I added a velcro closure so the tote and can be attached to anything.

Back of Tote has a pocket

Here is a Tutorial.  I'll post pictures of each step soon!

Diaper Tote and Changing Pad Tutorial

Diaper Wipe Tote dimensions:  5.5" x 9.5" x 1.75"

Diaper Pad:  17" x 19"

Fabric:  Central Park Laminated Cottons by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics

Diaper Wipe Tote Fabric Requirements:

  2 Coordinating Fat Quarters for Body and Lining

1/3 yard:  Body Fabric for Side & Back Pocket

1/8 yard:  Lining Fabric

Velcro for flap closure

Velcro for handle (optional)

1" Belting for Handle

CUTTING:

Fat Quarter for Body:  

Front: 6" x 10"

Back:  6" x 15"

Fat Quarter for Lining:

Front:  6" x 10"

Back:  6" x 15"

 Body Fabric:

Side:  2 1/4" x WOF

Back Pocket:  6" x 13.5"

Lining Fabric:

Handle:  2" x your desired handle length

Binding:  2 1/2" x WOF

Pocket Binding:  2 1/2" x 6"

1.  Sew Lining Side to Lining Front - clip corners.  Repeat with Body Fabric

2.  Line up Back starting with the bottom since it is longer than the front.  Pin in place.  Sew Lining Back piece to front/side piece. 

3.  Fold Back Pocket in half.  Bind pocket top edge.

4.  Sew Sides of Back Pocket to Right side of Body Back, lining bottom raw edges.

5.  Sew Body Back to Front/Side piece.  You now have a Lining bag and an Outside bag.

6.  This next part is your choice:  You can put right sides of Lining and Outside together and then turn.  You can tack the bottom corners of the Lining and Outside together and then turn.  I tacked the bottome corners and then turned it so the lining is correctly placed into the Outside Body Piece.

7.  Fold 2" of Handle Fabric in half and iron.  Open up and fold side to middle fold (it ends up only being a 1/4 fold)  - iron.  Do it again for the other side.

8.  Handle Fabric is now 1" wide.  Sew to the 1" canvas belting.

9.  Sew handle to sides of Bag

10.  I chose to make a neat little curve for fold over part of my bag.  The Bliss bag I did a Left to Right sloping curve.  This bag I did a half mood curve. 

11.  Figure out where you want your velcro fastener and sew to folding flap and to the body front.

12.  Bind raw edges of Bag - taking time to be careful as you turn the corners. 

13.  Turn Handles up and sew in place.

Changing Pad Tutorial

Dimensions:  17" x 19"

Fabric Requirements:  Coordinating Fat Quarters

Binding:  2 1/2" x WOF

Quilt Batting:  17" x 19"

Cutting:

Cut each Fat Quarter to 17" x 19"

1.  Layer Fat Quarter, Quilt Batting, Fat Quarter

2.  Baste edges to hold in place

3.  Bind Edges

These turned out pretty darn neat.  The biggest hurdle I had was the binding.  Trying to bind the curves was really hard.  I think I liked the way I did the Bliss Bag where it sloped Left to Right better than doing the half moon curve. I also like the way it looks better and I think that slope will hide some binding imperfections.  With the half moon curve it is very easy to have your curves not match up just right and it is obvious since it is supposed to be symetrical.

I'll get some pictures posted of each step!

Thanks for looking and let me know if you have any questions!