Choice of Fabric and Embellishment Turn This Basic Tote into the Perfect Diaper Bag
by admin — 9 Comments » Lazies, Toni Scarbury of Nekoosa, WI shares her beautiful baby bag creations with us today. Toni used our Miranda Day Bag design #LGD123 to make these adorable baby bag gifts.
Miranda Day Bags made up for a day on the go with baby.
Here’s Toni:
I needed gifts for upcoming newborns and the Miranda Day Bag was the perfect size to use as a baby bag for a short day away from home.
Since I made my first Miranda bag, I had it in the back of my mind that it would make a perfect diaper bag if you were only going away for a few hours.
Why didn’t they have things like this when my kids were babies?
Modifications To The Design
The center seam on the front of the bag was eliminated so it wouldn’t interfere with the embroidery. I also replaced one set of pockets with a 22″ length of elastic along one side of the interior of the bag. I divided that into various portions to hold a few things. I lengthened the straps to 36″ so the bag hangs at about waist height making it easy to get into while holding baby. And I chose all cotton fabrics for wash-ability.
Embroidery
The embroidery designs are from http://www.designssewfine.com/.
A close-up of the embroidery design.
What’s In The Bag
I filled each bag with lots of goodies: bottle, package of wipes, couple of diapers, a toy, an outfit, a lightweight thermal blanket and a pacifier. And there’s still plenty of room for Mom’s things!
A peek inside the baby bag.
About Toni
I started sewing doll clothes and things when I was in grade school. I still have my grandmother’s Viking. I took sewing classes from 8th grade through high school.
Through school years and early adulthood I made the majority of my clothes. It was the only way to get things that fit. I started doing dolls and baby blankets for craft show in the early 80’s.
I started doing embroidery when my sister in law was expecting and I had the bright idea that I would make her a blanket.
While shopping for fabric, my eyes just lit up when I saw the embroidery machines. I thought I could not only make her a blanket but it would be a SUPER blanket! I was hooked and there was no getting out.
A baby bag that is pretty in pink.
My first machine sewed a 4×4 field. I quickly upgraded to a ULT2003 for the bigger fields. Bigger is better! It wasn’t long before Brother came out with their six needle machine. I knew I had to have one but I had to figure out where to put it and I had to convince my husband I really really needed it.
We built a house in 2005 and we planned a whole room for sewing. This is my “Sanctuary”. When I have a lull in embroidery I do things for our grandchildren or start planning for the next Christmas.
I owe all of this to my Mom and Grandmother for having the patience with me when I started all of this as well as our public schools for having the classes. It’s a shame that today’s kids don’t have the same opportunity. They don’t know what they are missing!
Thanks Toni!
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Enjoy!
Joan
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Toni those are fabulous bags and the embroidery is the cutest! What lucky moms and babies for these gorgeous bags. Very clever idea, Miranda is perfect for just about anything! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Now I have to go finish one I have been working on.
Penny D in Chesapeake
I love the idea that you made this into a diaper bag. I have two showers to attend by summer and I think I will “borrow ” your idea. This bag is great for a new mom.
Marie
How absolutely lovely these bags are! What a great gift for the lucky recipients! Your choice of embroidery designs is perfect too – a far better gift than anything you could buy!
The idea is great, I think I will use it , but carry it into a teen bag for my granddaughter who dances. She never has enough room in her bags for everything. I could put dancing bears on the front and do some towels to match. Thanks
Very nice
Absolutely stunning! Your bags are definitely original and a creative work of art. Thank you for sharing your talent and helpful ideas.
Thank you everyone. As I was putting these bags together, I just knew this was going to be one of my favorites, and it looks like it will be the perfect gift. I don’t think this one will be duplicated at a shower. I think today most people truly enjoy a gift that is hand made. Now the question is “What Joan’s next bag, and how will we all turn it into something else?”
Toni S
Wonderful bags, Toni! Beautiful embroidery! I just bought the Miranda pattern and I can’t wait to try your adaptations! I don’t have grandchildren yet but I DO have “Mom’s Hopechest” where I put baby blankets, hats, booties, bibs and other things I have made in anticipation, and I think this bag will fit in just perfectly!!
Then maybe I’ll make a regular Miranda bag for me 🙂
I loved your personal profile-it is really a shame our kids are missing out on sewing classes.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hey, do you have a pattern for these please? I want to sew one for a friend if mine – they are gorgeous 🙂