How to Make a Nappy Bag

Nappy, or diaper, bags come in a wide variety of styles. This nappy bag is similar to a large messenger bag, with a flap that covers the contents and a long shoulder strap. You can find strap material in the trim section of most fabric stores. If you use a cute cotton or other lightweight fabric for the nappy bag, you’ll need to add interfacing and a lining to make the bag sturdier. If you use heavy fabric, such as denim or corduroy, you can skip the interfacing and lining. When you sew the nappy bag, use 1/4-inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 yards fabric
• Matching thread
• 3/4 yard fusible interfacing
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine
• 1 1/2 yards of strap material
• Large sew-on snap
• Hand sewing needle

Instructions

Cut the Fabric for a Nappy Bag

1. Cut four rectangles of fabric, each 16 inches wide by 12 inches tall, for the front and back of the nappy bag. Cut two rectangles of interfacing the same size.

2. Cut four rectangles of fabric, each 6 inches wide by 12 inches tall, for the sides of the nappy bag. Cut two rectangles of interfacing the same size.

3. Cut two rectangles of fabric, each 16 inches wide by 6 inches deep, for the bottom of the nappy bag. Cut one rectangle of interfacing the same size.

4. Place the interfacing pieces with the bumpy side toward the wrong side of a matching fabric piece. Iron the interfacing to the fabric.

5. Place a matching rectangle of plain fabric right side up on top of the interfacing. Pin the fabric layers together, then stitch around the edges using scant 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Make the Nappy Bag

1. Lay the nappy bag front right side up. Place the sides right side down on top of it, lining them up along the side edges. Pin the sides to the front of the nappy bag and stitch them in place. Press the seams open.

2. Sew the other sides of the nappy bag sides to the sides of the bag back, with the fabric's right sides together. Press the seams open.

3. Pin the bag bottom to the lower edges of the nappy bag front, back and sides. Sew the bottom of the nappy bag in place.

4. Fold the top edge of the bag over 1/2 inch toward the wrong side, then fold it over another 1/2 inch. Press the fold flat, then stitch it in place using matching thread. Turn the nappy bag right side out.

5. Cut a piece of fabric 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. This will be the flap that goes over the top of the nappy bag.

6. Fold this piece in half from top to bottom, right sides together. Stitch along the sides, leaving the edge opposite the fold open. Turn the open edges over 1/2 inch and press them flat. Turn the flap right side out.

7. Line up the folded edge of the flap with the top edge of the back of the nappy bag. Pin them together, making sure you catch both layers of the flap in the pins. Sew the flap to the top edge of the nappy bag, making sure you don’t sew the bag shut.

8. Pin the ends of the strap material to each side of the nappy bag. Place the strap over your shoulder, to make sure the strap is a comfortable length, and adjust it if needed. Sew one end of the strap material to each side of the nappy bag.

9. Sew one side of the snap to the center of the lower edge of the inside of the flap. Close the flap over the nappy bag and position the other half of the snap below the first half. Sew the other half of the snap to the front of the nappy bag.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also add pockets to the inside or front of the nappy bag, if desired.

• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons, sewing machines and sewing needles.