How to Make a Diaper Bag Set

Use deluxe or mid-weight fabric to ensure durability.

Diaper bags are a customized version of the classic tote bag that make it easy for parents on the go to see to their infant or toddler's needs. Diaper bags come in a variety of sizes, materials and colors, but most have a doubled-up or quilted shoulder strap and many lined pockets. You can make your own custom diaper bag with just a few hours of labor; consider making a complete diaper bag set by adding a changing pad.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sheets machine-washable fabric, 2 feet by 3 1/2 feet
• Cotton batting, 2 feet by 3 1/2 feet
• Nylon webbing, 2 inches wide
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Fabric strip, 5 feet long by 6 inches wide
• Bias tape
• 1/4-inch elastic tape, 3 1/2 feet long
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Chalk
• Lighter
• Appliques
• Fabric paint
• 2 sheets machine-washable fabric, 2 feet by 1 foot
• Cotton batting, 2 feet by 1 foot
• Iron

Instructions

Making the Diaper Bag

1. Lay the 2-foot-by-3 1/2-foot cotton batting on a work table. Align a sheet of fabric on top of it right side up. Pin the two sheets together.

2. Sew along the perimeter of the fabric, no more than 1/4 inch from the edge; this will secure the batting in place.

3. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, batting side out; the fabric will now be 2 feet by 1 3/4 foot. Sew along the side opposite the fold, the 2-foot side.

4. Sew along one of the 1 3/4-foot sides; this seam forms the bottom of the bag.

5. Sew the bias tape to the 5-foot strip of fabric lengthwise along one side. Encase the fabric in the bias tape so that at least half the bias tape remains above the seam.

6. Use a gather stitch to ruffle the opposite, non-taped side of the fabric strip. Make sure the final length of the strip is 3 1/2 feet.

7. Lay the 2-foot-by-3 1/2-foot piece of fabric on the table, right side up.

8. Pin the strip to the bottom of the fabric, right side up. Tack the strip to the entire length of the fabric with a straight stitch no more than 1/4 inch from the edge.

9. Insert the elastic into the tube made by the bias tape. Sew the short ends of the strip to the edge of the fabric sheet, making sure to catch the bias tape in the seam; the strip will now form a large pocket along the fabric sheet.

10. Sew six vertical straight lines along the strip to divide it into 7 pockets of varying size. Sew the lines 3, 8, 15, 25, 32 and 37 inches from the left edge.

11. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right side in. Sew a straight line down the side opposite the fold 3/4 inch to 1 inch from the raw edge. Sew along the long sides that form the base of the pockets, being careful not to sew through the pockets themselves; this seam forms the bottom of the bag's interior.

12. Invert the fabric attached to the batting so that the batting faces the inside; this forms the exterior shell of the tote.

13. Cut two lengths of nylon webbing the length of the desired shoulder strap. Drape nylon webbing over your shoulder and cut where you want the bag to rest.

14. Flatten the bag on a work surface so that one side is facing up. Pin the ends of the handles to the bag along the rim, halfway down the front facade or along the bottom seam of the bag (each placement has an advantage---rim placement uses less webbing, while lower placement provides a sturdier handle).

15. Try the bag on. Lift the bag gently by the straps and hold in place to test the length of the straps.

16. Lower or raise the strap placement as necessary. Trace the ends of the shoulder straps where they rest on the bag with chalk. Remove the straps.

17. Heat the edge of the webbing using a lighter. Wave the edges of the nylon near, not in, the flame to melt the nylon, forming a secure edge.

18. Sew the straps to the bag using the chalked outlines as guides. Sew a complete 2-inch square with an "X" in the middle to ensure a strong connection. Secure the strap by sewing further up the length of the strap. Leave a raw edge at the top of the shell that is at least 1/2 inch wide.

19. Insert the fabric with the pockets into the exterior shell, aligning the two pieces by the seam.

20. Fold and pin a piece of 1/2- or 1-inch bias tape along the raw edge where the two shells meet; this forms the rim of the bag.

21. Sew the bias tape in place; this completes the body of the diaper bag.

22. Embellish the outside of the bag with appliques or fabric paint.

Making the Changing Mat

1. Lay the two 2-foot-by-1-foot sheets of fabric on top of each other, right side facing inside. Place the 2-foot-by-1-foot piece of batting on top.

2. Sew a seam completely along three sides and then sew half of one of the short sides of the fabric.

3. Invert the fabric so that the right sides face outward. The batting will be hidden inside of the fabric casing.

4. Flatten the sheet and iron at the highest setting safe for the fabric you are using. Do not use steam.

5. Hand sew the opening on the short side with an invisible stitch, turning the raw edge inward as you go.

6. Iron the hand-sewn seam.

7. Sew a random swirled or linear pattern on top of the fabric sheet to quilt the surface and tack the batting in place.

8. Fold the changing pad in thirds or sixths, ironing each seam to form a sharp crease.

9. Decorate the changing pad with appliques. Do not use any decorations that will irritate the baby's skin or interfere with functionality (i.e., buttons, three-dimensional appliques, sequins, glitter).

References

• Sew Much Ado: Diaper Bag Tutorial
• Martha Stewart: A Brand New Bag
• Make Baby Stuff: Free Diaper Bag Pattern
• Better Homes And Gardens: Easy Knitted Diaper Bag