This year has been off to a busy start! I’m busy behind the scenes working on lots of exciting content to bring you all! When I did my Happy New Year post, I realized there were several projects I hadn’t blogged about, so I figured I’d share them now.
First up is this gorgeous Swoon Evelyn Market Tote I made as a diaper bag for my friend. If you’ve been here a while, you may remember my first Evelyn, which looks very different than this one. That’s one thing I really love about making bags: you can use the same pattern and come up with a completely different look!
This bag was so special for me. I’ve been friends with the recipient since Kindergarten! I thought about what I liked and disliked about my own diaper bag, and came up with Evelyn. I only made 2 small additions; one was to add a large elastic pocket inside. The other was adding a loop with a swivel clasp to keep keys handy and easy to find. I know a lot of diaper bags have cross-body straps, but in all my “diapering” years, I can’t ever remember carrying my loaded diaper bag cross-body. I love the recessed zipper because I found I was always wanting quick easy access into a diaper bag, but also appreciated the security of a zipper when I wanted it.
I made sure to have a vinyl bottom and feet, because, let’s face it: diaper bags get put down in a lot of yucky places! Plus, it looks pretty awesome with black vinyl and silver feet against the gloriously bright colours of the fabric collection.
Of course, this isn’t as big as some diaper bags, and that’s just how I liked it, and how I envisioned my friend would like hers. I found that I never really carried too much in my bag, and I would have appreciated a stylish large purse, big enough for my wallet, phone, keys, and the baby essentials.
This stunning fabric is from Alison Glass’ Ex Libris collection (from Fabricspark.com) plus a few prints from her Sun Prints collection. The Art Theory panel is the main focus of the bag and I think the stark contrast of the black vinyl and silver hardware is a perfect combo.
For this bag, I used a foam interfacing instead of craft fuse and fleece, like the last one, and I really love the structure the foam provides. All the fancy bag bling, aka hardware, came from Emmaline Bags, don’t you just love it all?!
I also made a matching teether blanket and keychain, plus a Swoon Coraline in coordinating prints from the same collection.
It looks like this post is long enough, so I’ll save some other projects for another time! Until then…
I love the Evelyn tote you made! I don’t have this pattern yet, but it’s on my want to buy list. Your fabrics are gorgeous too!
Thank you so much Linda! You’ll love making Evelyn.
The bag is to die for! Great work, the fabric really takes the show. 🙂
Thank you so much!
Just bought this pattern because I hate carring diaper bags and love the idea of a purse. Happened on yours and thought I’d pick your brain a bit. I too want a leather/pleather detail. But wanted a fun fabric outside without making it look quilty etc. but I wanted a fun inside. Could you share with me a bit more how you did the interior? I added my email in case that makes it easier. Anyway, any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Tia!
Hi Julianne! I didn’t make too many changes. For the inside, I added a large elasticized pocket. For the pocket, I just made it wider than the lining panel, but kept the shape. Then I sewed 2 of those wide pocket panels together right sides together along the top, then flipped to wrong sides together, topstitched, plus another parallel line 1/2″ below to make a casing for my elastic. I fed my elastic through the casing, secured one end and then allowed the pocket to gather until it was the same width as the lining panel. I also sewed a divider line to help keep the pocket’s shape. I hope that helps! Feel free to send me a message if you have any more questions.