How to Sew a Large Diaper Bag

You would need a large bag to carry this many diapers and all the essentials a baby needs.

A diaper bag is one of many essentials needed in the care of a newborn. A new mother can spend hours looking for one that is the perfect size. Large versions on the "luxury" end of the diaper bag spectrum can cost well over $100 dollars. There is no need to shell out this much cash when you can sew your own diaper bag. It is a very inexpensive and fairly easy project.

Things You'll Need

• Washer
• Dryer
• Iron
• 2 yard-long pieces of upholstery fabric, different colors or prints
• Felt-tip marker
• Ruler
• Fabric shears
• Sewing machine, or needle and thread
• Zipper, 6 inches or longer
• Package of fusible trap interfacing
• Stick-on button closure or Velcro

Instructions

1. Wash and dry both yards of fabric so they will be pre-shrunk when you cut; the bag will be completely washable once complete. Iron the fabric before cutting.

2. Unroll one yard of fabric and fold it in half once. Draw a 16-by-20-inch rectangle on top of this yard. Draw another 2-by-16-inch rectangle on top of one of the 20-inch sides of the rectangle you just drew. The smaller rectangle should be two inches from both top corners of the larger rectangle. Cut out the outline of this shape to make two identical pieces. Repeat this process for the other yard of fabric for a total of four pieces.

3. Cut out two 10-by-12-inch rectangles of fabric out of one of the yards. Cut out one 6-by-16-inch rectangle out of the other yard. Cut one 6-by-26-inch piece from one of the yards; it is your choice which one to use.

4. Sew the interior lining of the bag. Take one set of the 16-by-20-inch shapes and turn both of them on the wrong side (the side opposite of the fabric design). Sew the two fabric shape together along each of the three 16-inch sides. Take one of the right angled corners and bring the two ends together as if you are closing the angle. Sew this piece across to make one closed end of the bag. Do not sew the other end closed yet.

5. Sew the outer lining of the bag. Take the other two 16-by-20-inch pieces and sew them in the same manner you sewed the other the pieces, this time sewing both corners shut.

6. Make the large, zippered pocket. Cut a small, rectangular window the exact width and length of the zipper out of one of the 10-by-12-inch rectangles. Place the zipper piece inside of this window, facing out on the printed side of the fabric, and sew it on. Place the two large rectangles together on the wrong side and sew together the two 10-inch sides and one of the 12-inch sides. Turn this right-side out.

7. Sew the small pocket. Take one of the 6-by-16-inch rectangles and turn it on the wrong side. Fold the long sides of the rectangle inward by about half an inch, then fold the short side inward by about half an inch. Bring the two short side together so that a 6-by-8-inch rectangle is formed. Sew the 8-inch sides together to make the pocket.

8. Make the strap. Place the strap interfacing on top of the 6-by-20-inch rectangle on the wrong side. Fold the fabric over the interfacing and iron it down. Sew the long sides to form a sturdy strap.

9. Assemble the bag. With the pieces still inside out, place the outer part of the bag inside of the inner liner. Sew the top edge of these two pieces together. Pull the outer bag through the open corner of the inner liner. Now both pieces should be right side out. Sew the last corner closed. Sew the pockets onto the outside or interior of the bag. Sew the ends of the strap onto each end of the bag. Attach the self-adhesive button or Velcro to close the bag, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The pockets can be sewn on before the bag is assembled. Sew on as many pockets as you like.

References

• Make-baby-stuff.com: Diaper Bag Pattern
• Make-your-own-baby-stuff.com: Diaper Bag Pattern
• "Sew & Stow: 31 Fun Sewing Projects to Carry, Hold, and Organize Your Stuff, Your Home, and Yourself!;" Betty Oppenheimer; 2008