Retro Style Messenger Bag

My retro style messenger bag is meant for me to take my computer, magazines, books, baby book and whatever else I can fit into it, to the hospital with me when this baby is born. I have NOW finished everything I wanted to get done before this baby makes her way into the world!

Let me just say..."I love this bag!" I checked out various different tutorials I could find on craftster and other blogs, and websites and put together my very own bag with the things I needed to be in it. The lining is made similar to a jordy bag so that I could put in a zippered divider, interfaced with fleece...however, I wanted the oustide to be a gusseted bag without patch pockets. (Sorry, but I'm not a big fan of patch pockets) So I put two different style messenger bags together to come up with one perfect bag! :) Maybe I'm biased, who knows??

This first photo is the outside of the bag...my favorite piece is the bright red and white buckle that once belonged to my grandmother, whose favorite color was red. After she passed (13 years ago), some sewing notions were found and they went to my mother, who, incidentally does NOT sew much. So, when I began making bags galore, my mother scavenged through her things and let me have whatever I could use on bags. I found these two buckles (there's another red one I got as well) and knew they would one day grace a bag I would make for myself. This is truly a vintage piece that my grandma purchased back in the 60's.

To the left of the bag on the side, is a cell phone pocket, there's a magnetic snap flap closure with a zippered closure on the top of the bag.


A close up of the vintage red and white buckle that once belonged to Grandma...


This is the front of the bag, under the flap. I added a zipper pocket and just below it is where the magnetic snap closure is. Although, you cannot see it in the picture.

The zippered closure on the top of the bag. This is the first time I have done this on a messenger bag. It was quite the challenge but it turned out well!

A zippered divider with room on either side for my laptop or a 3 ring binder.

A flat side pocket for pens, pencils or whatever...

This is the back of the bag, which I made into a flat pocket meant for magazines, notebooks or papers...whatever you need.

This is the other side of the bag where I put a cell phone pocket. It's the perfect size for my cell phone, altough there is not a flap to keep the phone in place...I'm hoping the snug fit of the phone in the pocket will help keep it in place. I'll update sometime in the future to let you know if this works or not.

Hope you've enjoyed checking this bag out! I loved making it...took me all day long, into the night to get it finished!! That's what those sleepless nights when I can't get comfortable are for.

Travel Bag/Hospital Bag

The addition to my weekend travel bag is this toiletry bag. I lined it in vinyl covered canvas so that I can wipe it clean after each use, or obviously if there's a spill. There's a handle and it's in matching fabric to the travel bag. Enjoy :)

Holding a few things and it still is not filled up.

Outside and zipped closed...

Pocket on the front

another view with the rings on the side

closeup of the rings...this is be able to attach a long should strap in the future if I so desire.

Inside view with two zipper pockets for wallet and other important items.

I was recently getting ready to pack up a bag to take to the hospital when I deliver the baby and I couldn't find a rockin' bag to take! So I thought to myself, "self, you should make urself a rockin' travel to take all ur things to the hospital in!" So, I checked out a tute on crafster...

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=42927.0

I altered the demensions and drafted a pattern for the front and back of the bag. I didn't like the plain rectangular shape. I rounded all four corners, and made the top narrower than the bottom...then basically followed the same directions as logsio's on craftster. The fabric I used came from a yard sale. It's upholstery fabric I paid $1 a yard for!! THAT is part of the reason why this is a rockin' bag! HA! It is huge by the way!

Enjoy the photos and let me know what you think :)

Matching dresses for my girls

D-day is just a few weeks away and I've been planning on making my girls matching dresses and hats for the Sunday we bring our new baby to church for the first time. A while back I found this "itty bitty dress pattern" on made by rae's blog.

http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-itty-bitty-baby-dress-pattern.html

I loved it so much I made it in newborn size and then I thought, hey let's make both my girls matching dresses to wear to church on the baby's first day there. So, I found the toddler pattern but it was too big (3T) and my daughter is in 24m-2T. So, I reduced the pattern size, did a mock up and it worked! I have the itty bitty dress in a nb and a 2t size. The Little Stitches book is one of my favorites as well, and I chose the butterfly hat and made them matching hats as well. Instead of the velcroed on butterfly, I chose to make small fabric roses, and sewed them directly onto the hats so my older daughter cannot take them off and play with them. I realize that was the intent, but she won't wear the hat if she knows there's a toy to be had on it! LOL I guess this should be considered a sewing blog as apposed to simply a purse/bag blog! :) Once the baby is born, it'll be back to purses though!!

Let me know what you think...

The other birthday gift for Brynna

Here's the other gifts I made for her birthday...we found a great deal on a wooden highchair and cradle from craigslist. I made a cushion, pillow w/ case and a doll quilt that matches her new baby sister's quilt. (Annelise should be joining us in about 3-4 weeks!!!) I couldn't add it the other post today so here it is...

Brynna's birthday gifts :)

Well, my first baby girl turns 2 tomorrow, so we had a little party for her yesterday and here's what I put together for her. Been wanting to try the butterfly hat from the Little Stitches book and since she loves hats, here goes!

I also made her a doll quilt to match her new baby sister's baby quilt, a pillow w/ case, and cushion for her new cradle! But I'm having trouble uploading so we'll see!!

Finally got my diaper bag done!

Tab top closure...I tried to match up the fabric so you won't see the tab :)
View of the whole bag...

Inside pockets...

Up close of cell phone pocket...

Key holder...

This is the diaper bag that I made to replace the one I gave to someone as a gift...that I had made for myself. Also, since I found out we're having a girl and NOT THE BOY we were originally told, I thought maybe I'd go with a little more of a feminine fabric. This is from the book Little Stitches for Little Ones and is designed by Amy Butler. The pattern is called the Modern Diaper Bag and in its original form is craaaaazy huge!!! So, I saw where someone else had altered the pattern's size by 20% so I tried this myself. The local copy store made a copy in a smaller size for me and I changed the rest of the measurements myself.

The fabric is an Alexander Henry fabric from Joann's...both outside and lining. The pattern calls for two bottle pockets and four diaper type pockets on the inside, with a cell phone pocket on the outside. I chose to alter the cell phone pocket and put it on the inside. I also included a key holder for those lost keys! :) I love the bold fabric and colors! This pattern was easier to do the second time around as well.

the BEST birthday present EVER!!

So, Monday's my birthday and I've spent all my sewing time making bags to sell or bags as gifts, so I decided it was time to make one for myself...and what the hey, it could be for my birthday! So, I chose the fabrics...an Amy Butler one called Lotus Flower I think...found the pattern online at Etsy, by Jennalou. Thought it was a really cute bag! I added a d-ring for my keys, cell phone pocket, zipper pocket, and patch pockets for pens and whatnot. Also, I tried to match up the fabric from the tab to the fabric on the body of the bag. Please, tell me what you think??? I really enjoyed making this bag and will love using it!