It took a couple of weeks of sneaking in sewing while the baby slept, but it is now finished! I’m calling it the “Mommy’s Poppins Bag” – a carpet-bag style diaper bag. It is roomy, with plenty o’ pockets. Just what I need in this time of my life.
I have been interested in making a “carpet” or “doctor’s” style diaper bag since a friend of mine received a Land’s Ends Do-It-All diaper bag. So, I started collecting images of bags I liked on a Pinterest board. These included The Great Getaway Bag from The Bag Making Bible, an Urban Outfitters Satchel, and gorgeous floral bag. You may recognize elements from these in my finished bag.
The fabric for the exterior is a home decorating weight print and a gray corduroy, both bought at Joann Fabrics. All exterior pieces (including the pockets and corduroy accents) were backed with a woven fusible interfacing. I used Pellons SF-101. The four side panels and the bottom were also backed with a ultra-firm stabilizer (Pellon’s Peltex #70). I chose to use a stabilizer instead of fusible fleece, because I wanted a sleeker, non-slouchy, look. You can’t see all that extra work and material, but it makes an extreme difference.
Just look at the difference of the lining in the foreground (with no interfacing or interlining) and the exterior in the background. Crazy, eh? I discovered the use of stabilizers like Peltex when I made Amy Butler’s Blossom Bag, and I learned a lo from the chart in The Bag Making Bible about choosing interfacings and interlinings for various types of projects and materials.
The Bag Making Bible taught me another neat bag making trick. To make the base firm, I made a pocket on the wrong side of the bottom panel. Then after finishing, but before closing up the lining, I slipped in plastic canvas cut to size and another layer of stabilizer. She suggested purchasing a “grid bag bottom“, but not having ready access to any, I found plastic canvas to be a spot-on substitute.
I made a body strap and handles and attached them using hardware salvaged from two old purses. Happily, these rings are much sturdier than were available at the big chain fabric stores. I now know that thrift stores are a good resource for this type of item. To make the straps. I took a piece four times the desired width, backed it with interfacing and folded it like double fold bias tape. For the bag handles, I sandwiched a piece of stabilizer inside one of the folds, and for the strap, I used scrap fleece. Then, I edge-stitched the sides to finished the strap. This is the same method used when making the Blossom Bag (see Amy Butler’s Style Stitches).
The real star of this show, though, is the internal purse frame.
The purse frame is installed in a 1″ casing that runs around the top edge of the bag. It’s the purse frame is what gives a carpet-bag its unique shape. Without the frame, a carpet-bag looks like just a pimped out tote bag. (To see a picture of a carpet style bag without a frame, check out this U-handblog post.) A purse frame is useful because it holds the bag open for easy rummaging, and then snaps closed to secure the contents of the bag.
I bought my 12 inch frame on Etsy, which had the best selection and prices on purse frames that I could find. To find a carpet-bag frame, search “internal tubular frame” under “supplies”.
The interior is a quilting cotton. I added two large elasticized-top pockets and three slip pockets. There is plenty of room in this diaper bag for wipes, various sizes of diapers, changes of baby clothes, a ring sling, tissues, burp clothes, my wallet, phone, and keys.
Now armed with an awesome diaper bag, maybe I’ll get out of the house more?
Well, a girl can dream…
UPDATE!! The Pattern is now available!
This is an amazing project and an incredible inspiration though I have to admit that I’m a bit intimidated by the hardware. I will be saving this for “someday” when I’m feeling fearless. Congratulations on your new arrival!
-Ellen
Don’t let the hardware intimidate you! It’s just a matter of finding the resources to show you how to use them. Hardware is what makes The Bag.
And if I waited until I “felt” fearless, I wouldn’t be sewing at all. I chose my blog name because I wanted to be fearless. I’m Faking it until I make it. 🙂
Whoa nelly. That bag has it ALL! I’m not only thoroughly impressed at your skilz but now I’m very jealous of your diaper bag! And I do really love mine so that just shows you how awesome yours is. Good work!
That makes me very curious what kind of bag you have. 🙂
You never cease to amaze! I’m still just trying to get in a shower each day, and you come up with this bit of heaven in the shape of a bag. Gorgeous, and so clever! Love it! Maybe this will inspire me to dust off my sewing machine again… or go to a thrift store (oh, you twisted my arm!)…
Who says I’m showering? Or taking naps? Or doing laundry…. It was a lot of intense sewing bursts when my kids where occupied, and sketching things out, calculating, researching, and planning while nursing. It helps that I have my sewing stuff set up in the middle of our living room.
It was a “I must get this idea out of my head and into life or I’m going to die” kind of compulsion.
And I love your fabric choices… you really have a knack for that!
Woweee!! That is one INCREDIBLE bag!! I love everything about it.
I am super envious that I don’t have one just like it.
You could make one! 🙂 U-handbag sells a carpet bag pattern if you don’t one to make your own.
Incredible job! The bag is absolutely lovely
Fantastic bag! I was just looking at some OiOi leather diaper bags online this morning in bright yellow. The grey+yellow really pop! As I am about to push forth into making my own diaper bag, how heavy is it with the internal frame? Or am I just being lazy? =)
PS: Forgot to say your labels with the J sewing machine are super cute!
Thanks! My husband designed it for me and my inlaws had them printed up as a gift. I
I wont lie, this bag is on the heavy side when full. It isn’t the purse frame that makes it heavy. It’s more a matter of bag size and the weight of all the layers of fabric.
You could make a smaller one. Purse frames come in a variety of sizes. You could sew a more purse sized one with an 8 or 9 inch frame.
That’s a really incredible bag! I LOVE the fabric you used. 🙂
that’s a lovely diaper bag! i’m looking to make one with more room than the classic diaper bag, similar to the one you made. but more in the direction of these bags http://thebumblecollection.com/bumblebags_collections.shtml
Did I miss it in the post or did you leave out that you designed this bag? You sorta say it but man are you quiet about it. hehe. I’ve gotta say it again, beautiful bag. The construction, the details, you’re so fearless!
Oh, and I don’t shower when I have a project that’s driving me, either. I’m just glad my kids will play together, on their own, for bursts that enable me to sew.
I guess I didn’t come right out and say it. 🙂
Wow, that one is a keeper!!!!!!!! I wish you many years of bag love and compliments.
Gorgeous! And, even more amazing that you have four little ones and are able to find the time to make such a great bag. 🙂
Wow! This turned out AWESOME! I love your work. LOVE. The internal purse frame is pretty durn nifty~! I have no idea how one would actually sew that to the bag. Looks like it’s complicated! Your tag is SEW cute, too!! 😀
Maybe I need a carpet bag in my life? I always did admire Mary Poppin’s.
loooooove the logo loooove the attitude very encouraging
why, thank you.
Please can yoiu tell me where can I buy those internal purse frame. I live un Portugal
sure! I bought them on Etsy. There are a number of suppliers if you search “Purse Frame” under “Supplies”. The one I used was http://www.etsy.com/shop/3Dpatternpaper They ship from China worldwide.
Hi Jodi!
I am about to have my third child, and the diaper bags I’ve seen in the stores are not meeting all my needs. I love the carpetbag frame idea. I want a bag that REALLY opens up and lets me see what is inside!
When you say you used a 12″ tubular frame….does that measurement mean the width of the frame or how wide it opens? Thanks!!
Actually, it is a 14″ frame. And it means the length of the long edge is 14″. It opens to about 6″ wide across.
The finished dimensions of the base are roughly 7″ by 14.5″.
I love the idea of an easy stay open bag. i really want to make a bag like your but use my hubby’s old military uniforms! are you going to put up the design plans for your purse?
I am. I was way-laid by morning sickness but hope to release it for sale before the baby is born next March.
And old military uniforms would like so edgy and rugged. love the idea!
I was WWWOONNDERING what all that hardware you were posting about was gonna turn into! I have made lots of stuff, but I have thus far avoided that kind of frame like the plague. (deep breath) But now I’m not scared anymore….. what a perfect bag! So cool, it done shook off all my fears;) Thanks for sharing this marvelous project.
Where can I find this pattern? I am soooo in love with this design! I seem to be getting lost on the links… 🙁
I LOVE this bag! I’m expecting our 2nd baby this Sep. And need a nee diaper bag. I didn’t see a patteren for your bag. Are you going to put one up? I’d like to start making it now while my first takes two hour naps lol
The pattern is up now! 🙂
I love this bag! I’m not a sewer, do you make these and sell them by any chance? I would love to purchase one!
I LOVE THIS BAG!!! found via pinterest. I don’t sew but I totally want one 🙁 Mommy of two (almost 3 & almost 1) I have plenty of mommy stuff to take with me. Do you make them to sell or know someone who does?
I don’t have time to sell made ones right now, but I have made a sewing pattern for it and included in the pattern is a license to sell on a small scale.
Do you make and sell these for people?
I don’t have time to sell made ones right now, but I have made a sewing pattern for it and included in the pattern is a license to sell on a small scale.
Would a quilting cotton work for the main body? I’m wondering if it would hold up as well as a home decor weight. I’m having trouble finding a print I like. I’m a little quirky with my fabric choices.
Emily, yes, you could. In fact, I did for this bag I made: https://sewfearless.com/2013/10/07/matching-bag-set/
A higher quality quilting fabric will last longer, and I add an extra layer of SF-101 (woven fusible interfacing) to the outer fabric.
Thank you so much!
I consider myself a novice when it comes to sewing. I bought this pattern because I was commissioned to make a large tool bag for a woodworker to carry around heavy hand planes and other tools. At the time I bought it, I had already made my own tool bag pattern. But I had never worked with a bag frame, and the specs of this bag virtually mirrored the tool bag specs, except the tool bag is larger. I appreciated the option to use any size bag frame with this pattern (I bought a 16″ riveted flat steel frame online from Hardware Elf, and the quality is much better and more durable than the tubular variety), so I gave it a shot.
This pattern is excellent!!!
There were a few steps which were a little challenging for me to follow, but I chalk that up to inexperience on my part — not a defect of the pattern. This pattern was super high quality, well thought out, had easy-on-the-eyes detailed photos every step of the way, had many wonderful details that my own pattern did not have, and in every way was superior to my pattern. Also, a requirement of the tool bag was to use leather accents and handles. It was very helpful to read Jodi’s blog post updating the pattern to use leather accents and handles.
I cannot say enough good things about this excellent pattern, and I thank Jodi for making this and so many of her other projects available to the world. Blog posts and tutorials and photographs and sharing in general take a huge ton of time and dedication and effort. Jodi’s are fabulous, and I encourage everyone even thinking about purchasing any of her patterns to please do so. You will not only receive an exceptional product, but you will also be supporting Jodi’s obviously painstaking efforts to offer first-rate products, advice, and fellowship to us all.
By the way, I do not know Jodi, I have never communicated with her, nor have I ever ordered from her before this pattern. This is simply a well-deserved review from an impressed consumer.