Every time my daughter goes through the American Girl Catalog, the Bitty Baby Diaper Bag is always at the top of her wishlist. At $36 I can hardly justify buying it, so I decided to recreate it for her. I made 2 (one for each of my girls) for far less than the price of one Bitty Baby Diaper Bag. These don't come with all the goodies the real one does, but I am hoping they will still be a hit for Christmas this year. :)
Supplies needed to make this bag:
--1/2 to 3/4 yard main fabric
--1/2 yard coordinating fabric for the liner
--1/2 to 3/4 yard fusible fleece
--thread
*** Updated 2013: Use a piece of fusible Peltex instead of the cardboard.***
--Velcro
(I kinda guessed with the yardage because I just used supplies I had on hand, but if you are buying fabric specifically for this project- get a little extra just to be on the safe side! Sorry it is not more precise!)
To start, get all of the cutting done...
This bag measures 10 in(l)x 8 in(h) x 5 in (w)
If you wanted your bag smaller or bigger you can just calculate the difference when cutting your fabric
MAIN FABRIC:
8x11= 2 pieces {front and back of bag}
8x6= 2 pieces {side of bag}
6x11= 1 piece {bottom of bag}
5x11= 2 pieces {flaps for bag}
4x20= 2 pieces {straps for bag}
COORDINATING FABRIC:
8x11= 2 pieces {LINER: front and back of bag}
8x6=2 pieces {LINER: side of bag}
6x11= 1 piece {LINER: bottom of bag}
5x11= 2 pieces{LINER: flaps for bag}
FUSIBLE FLEECE:
8x11= 2 pieces
8x6= 2 pieces
5x11= 2 pieces
***Updated 2013- Fusible Peltex:
5 1/4 x 10 1/4 inch piece of fusible peltex for the base of the bag- apply this (it will be slightly smaller than the base of the bag to allow for the seam allowance to reduce bulk) to the base piece instead of the fusible fleece as I mention in the tutorial. This will work a lot better than the cardboard since the cardboard just moves around once the bag is sewn.***
Step 1: Take all of the main pieces of fabric and iron the fusible fleece to each piece (the only ones that shouldn't have fleece are the 2 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps.)
Step 2: Take the 2 8x6 inch (side panels) of fabric and line them up with one of the 8x11 inch (front panel) of fabric and sew them to the sides (right side together). Then take the other 8x11 inch (back panel) and sew. When you are done, it should look like this.
Step 3: Then pin and sew the 6x11 inch piece to the bottom of the bag. Turn right side out. (I ironed the seams once turned right side out so that the bag had more of a rectangle shape.)
Step 4: (forgot to take a picture of this step) Fold and press the top edge of the bag in towards the inside of the bag 1/2 inch all the way around.
Step 5: Take the 5 pieces of the coordinating fabric for the liner and put them together the same way you did in step 2-3 except don't turn right side out when you are done.
Step 6: Measure the bottom of the bag and cut a piece of cardboard to fit exactly in the base of the bag. This will help the bag keep it's shape when there are things in it. Once the cardboard is in, place the liner bag inside the main bag.
*** EDITED 2013: if you add the fusible Peltex in here to the bottom panel- it would work better than the cardboard since the cardboard can move around!***
*** EDITED 2013: if you add the fusible Peltex in here to the bottom panel- it would work better than the cardboard since the cardboard can move around!***
Step 7: Take the 4 pieces of fabric that are 5x11 inches and use a cup to trace and cut the top edges of each piece of fabric so they are rounded.
Step 8: Take one liner and one main piece of fabric and place them right sides together and sew along all but the bottom edge of the fabric.
Step 9: Turn right side out and top stitch along the edge. Do steps 8-9 to the other flap.
Step 10: Take the two 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps and fold and iron each strap in half wrong side together (hot dog style). After it is pressed nicely so you can see the line, open up so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing up. Fold each of the edges toward the center and press. After you are done pressing the edges to the center, fold back in half. (All the raw edges should be on the very inside of the strap now) Press one more time really well.
Step 11: Sew along each side of each strap to secure.
Step 11: Tuck the flaps and straps in between the outside and liner of the bag and pin.
Step 12: Sew all the way around the top of the bag to secure the flaps and straps to the bag. (take the pins out as you go so you don't have puckers in the liner underneath.
Step 13: Sew a couple pieces of velcro to the flaps.
And you are done!
I can't wait to see the looks on my girls faces Christmas morning when they open these dolly diaper bags up! :)
