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Breastfeeder's LITE Diaper Bag/Purse: Simpler and Smaller!

Sometimes I don't want to carry a huge bag... and sometimes, even the original Breastfeeder's Bag feels too big to me. When I'm just running to the post office or making a quick trip to the store, I only need one diaper and a few wipes, my wallet, and a place for coupons. In that spirit, here's a small bag that works well with a sling, and is a lot easier to sew than the original bag. This pattern is copyright to me (Jan Andrea) and is NOT for resale under ANY circumstances!

Materials needed:

Fabrics: "Fat quarters" (pieces that are 18" by 22") are sufficient for this project! So you can buy a few coordinating calicos and make a gorgeous bag, or use leftovers from sewing a sling. You'll need two pieces that are 15" by 11" (one for the outside and one for the lining), one that's 15" by 9.5" (for the all-around pockets), and one that's 12" by 10" (for the flap), plus a long, thin piece (5" wide by whatever length you like) for a strap. You could also use a sturdy ribbon for the strap.
- If you don't have a fabric store nearby, or if your local store doesn't have very good prices, try the Fabric Club. I've ordered from them several times, and the fabric I've received has always been of great quality at very low prices.
Matching thread
Around an hour of your time, depending on your sewing knowledge

Directions:

Note: All seam allowances are 1/2 an inch.

You can use the same fabric for the body and the lining, strap, and flap, or whatever combination you prefer. If you have made several slings, you could use fabric from each of them and the bag would then match all of them! the body of the bag and the lining will each be made with the 15"x11" pieces. No cutting is involved. the all-around pockets are made with the 15"x9.5" piece. the flap is made with two 6"x10" pieces
the layout for stitching lines is at left. Take the 15"x 9.5" piece and make a narrow hem on one long edge (one inch is allowed). Lay that piece on top of the bag body piece and pin them together, so that the hemmed edge is about 2" down from the top of the bag body piece. Sew through the fabric as show in the layout. This will make the pockets, so use a fairly sturdy stitch. You could do the same thing for the lining, if you wanted pockets on the inside as well... Or just do this with the lining for inside pockets instead of outside ones. For the lining, you can either sew in these stitching lines or just mark them -- there's no need to sew them, if you mark.
Next, sew the short edges right sides together, treating the body and pocket pieces as one (i.e. sew through all 4 pieces of fabric). Now, fold the bag in half so that the larger segments (5" wide) line up together. Make a seam along the bottom. You'll now be making the darts that make the bag three-dimensional (a box instead of a pouch). Open out the bag, making the original vertical stitched lines (as in the layout) the edges. Flatten the lower corners into triangles, and stitch across the horizontal stitching lines
Repeat steps 3-5 for lining, using markings or stitching lines as guides. Make the strap: Measure from your waist or hip, over the opposite shoulder, and to your waist or hip again. I would recommend starting with a piece about 5" wide, so that the finished strap is about 2" wide. Sew the long edges right-sides together, then turn. Topstitch edges if desired. Make the flap: Fold the 12"x10" piece in half, right sides together, so that it's 6"x10". If you want a curved bottom on the flap, use a bowl or small plate to trace the curve. Cut the excess from the folded piece. Sew the long edges (including the fold) and the curve/bottom edge of the flap, leaving the top open for turning. Turn the flap right-side out and topstitch the edges. Putting it all together: Baste the straps to the sides of the main body, right sides together. Baste the flap to the main body, right sides together. Put the main body/straps/flap inside the lining, right sides together, so that you can sew the outside to the lining at the top of the bag. Stitch around the top of the bag, leaving a 3" hole for turning at the front of the bag (i.e. The side without the flap). Turn the bag right side out through the hole. Topstitch around the top of the bag, sewing the turning hole closed. This also gives extra strength to the stitching of the flap and straps. You can leave the bag as it is, or sew on a button/buttonhole to close it, or use a different closure. Enjoy! This is also a great bag for solo outings -- it's small and compact, and without diapers/wipes in it, will hold a lot of stuff.

Link to me!

Did you use this pattern and like it? Please link back to me from your site or blog! (This is not an invitation to copy the file to your site, nor does it imply that the file is freeware. I invite links, but as I do make changes to the files on my site from time to time -- and often they are important ones -- I do not wish them copied to other sites.)

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