How to Make a Jean Diaper Bag

Make a customized jean diaper bag.

When you have a newborn baby or toddler you are guaranteed to carry baby items, such as diapers and bottles, while you are on the go. Creating your own diaper bag is fun and helps you avoid the high price. Using jean fabric makes your diaper bag more personalized and trendy. You can buy patterns with attachments, such as bottle holders and wipe compartments. Diaper bag patterns are found online or in a fabric store, but you can use an old pair of jeans can be used, as well.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Ruler
• Marker
• Scissors
• Old pair of jeans
• Pins
• Iron
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

Design, Cut, and Place the Pattern

1. Create and cut the lining and outside fabric pattern. Measure and mark 16 inches in length on both sides, and then measure and mark 20 inches in width on both sides. Using the maker ink as the borderline, cut the pattern from the newspaper, and then cut and remove 3 inched squares on one side from the right and left hand corners of the fabric. You need two of these exact pattern designs for the lining fabric, also two for the outside fabric. So cut four in total.

2. Create and cut the strap pattern. On the newspaper, measure and mark 26 inches in length on both sides, and then measure and mark 6 inches in length on both sides. Cut the pattern from the newspaper.

3. Create and cut the inner pocket pattern. On the newspaper, measure and mark 6 inches in length on both sides, and then measure and mark 6 inches in width on both sides. Cut the pattern out of the newspaper. For this pattern, cut as many pocket patterns as needed for your diaper bag.

4. Prepare the jeans. Cut the outer seams of the jeans to make it easier to pin and cut the pattern. Remove the front part of the jeans, this includes the front pockets, zipper, and button; you can save the these attachments for later projects or as accessories for your diaper bag.

5. Lay out the fabric and attach the pattern. Put the fabric on a firm and flat surface. Place the pattern pieces on top of the jean fabric. Its better to pin the outer lining pattern to the back of the jeans where the pockets are located; you can use them as outer pockets to store pacifiers and other baby items. Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric.

6. Cut the fabric around the pattern pieces. Do not cut the into the newspaper patterns. Number the pattern pieces or the insides of the fabric using a very small font; this identifies the fabric when you begin sewing the fabric pieces together.

Sew the Fabric Together

1. Sew the interior pockets onto the lining fabric. The pockets are sewn on the side that will be visible when the bag is complete. Fold the outer edges of the fabric and use the iron to make the edges lye flat. Place the pocket on the lining fabric where you want them to be permanently. Sew the left, right, and bottom edges of the pocket to the fabric, leaving the top edge remanding. Repeat this step for each of your pockets.

2. Sew the lining and outer shell of the diaper bag. Starting with the lining of the fabric, measure up the lining fabric with the wrong sides shown. Sew the three sides together, leaving the cut out square shapes untouched. Take one of the square shaped corners and pinch the edges of the fabric together. Sew the edges of the corner together until the entry hole is shut. Sew the outer shell of the diaper bag using the same technique, but instead of sewing one corner of the shell, sew both corners shut.

3. Sew the strap. Fold the four edges of the strap and iron them flat. Sew down the folded edges.

4. Put the bag together. Turn the outer shell inside out. Place the strap on the upper left and right sides of the bag. Stitch the straps to the inside of the outer shell. Turn the lining of the bag inside out. Place the lining inside of the outer shell (the inner and outer pockets should be facing each other). Sew entirely around the upper edge of the bag. Using the open corner whole of the liner, draw the bag by pulling it ride side out. Sew the open corner of the bag shut.

5. Personalize the bag. You can add a button or velcro onto the bag to prevent baby items from falling out. To attach the button from the jeans, just cut around the button, leaving enough fabric to stick to your bag. Stitch one of the button pieces onto the top inner part of your bag, and then stitch the other piece onto the opposite side. To apply velcro, remove the paper from both sides of the back of the velcro, and then apply the velcro to the top center of the bag, placing each piece on opposite sides. Another personalizing option is to stitch your baby's name onto the front of the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to handle all sharp objects with care to prevent cuts.

References

• Disney: Organzing the All-Important Diaper Bag

Resources

• Alternative Window: Basic Sewing Techniques