maricel like carousel: My First Diaper Bag

I've been wanting a new diaper bag for a long time now, but I didn't want to splurge on an expensive bag as well as couldn't find any cute prints at the baby stores. So I decided that I would make my own bag instead! Which to be honest, I had no clue on what to do before this project. I've sewn many things before, such as the nursing curtain, but they were always hand sewn or an easy straight sew with the sewing machine. Thank goodness for my friend, Becky, who's a sewing queen and taught me how to do it! We decided to make a craft day--or 4 days, should I say--since we have little ones who love to distract us from our project.

I've been wanting a messenger-style diaper bag, and I found a pattern at A Mingled Yarn--I'm pretty sure I fell in love with the damask print. Once we got to the fabric store, though, I found this really cute print that I decided to make my bag with. After hours of figuring out the layout and sewing the bag together (seriously, I'm not sure why I always have to choose the most complicated items and hope that I have enough of it), I finally have my finished product!

We made a few changes with the pattern, though. We used velcro instead of metallic snaps, opted not to topstitch at all (well, at least I did), used cotton instead of vinyl lining for the interior, sewed the strap inside the bag; and after using my bag for two weeks, I decided to remove the velcro from the front exterior pockets. It's just not needed since the flap is over them.

I wish I took pictures of Becky's bag--hers turned out really cute, too. It's a burgundy and ivory flowery patterned bag. I can't wait 'til our next sewing project--I want to make a diaper clutch :)

Here are photos of my bag!