Honeybee Vintage: Pillowcase Challenge #8: Diaper Bag

I haven't done a pillowcase challenge in a while! One of my goals this year is to clean out my craft closet and use up what I already have before buying more. I had been holding onto this pillowcase for a while, not sure what to do with it, but wanting to do something useful since I love the print so much. I decided to make a larger tote that could be used as a diaper bag since I seem to need lots o' stuff with me these days!

The outside of the bag is made with one pillowcase and the lining is part of an old vintage sheet I had. Want to make your own tote? Then let's go!

Materials:

1 yd fabric for outside

1 yd fabric for lining

1 yd of fusible fleece

sew on velcro

sheet of plastic canvas

matching thread

1. Start by cutting your outer pieces. I made mine 19.5"x19"x. Cut out two 2" squares from both bottom corners. Also, cut out two pieces of fusible fleece slightly smaller all the way around and iron it onto the wrong side of both pieces.

(I make my fleece pieces a little smaller because it makes sewing all the layers together a little easier if they aren't as thick).

2. Now for the outer pockets. Cut two pieces of outer fabric that are 19.5"x12". Cut out two pieces of fusible felt slightly smaller all the way around and iron onto wrong side of fabric.

3. For the lining and inside pockets (I made four total) cut out two large pieces that are 19.5"x19" (with two 2" squares cut out of both bottom corners) and two pieces that are 19.5"x13".

3. For the outer pocket lining, cut out two pieces that are 19.5"x12".

4. Now to start on the lining pockets, take your 19.5"x13" pieces and fold in one long side 1/4" and then another 1/2", iron flat and pin. Repeat on the other long side. Sew down both folds with a straight stitch. Repeat with other pocket piece.

Now you have two pocket pieces that are finished on both long sides.

5. Take your finished pocket piece and lay it wrong side down on the right side of one lining side (so both pieces of fabric are right side up). I placed the pocket an inch above the two square cut outs. Sew along the side, bottom, and other side with a straight stitch (where the red lines are).

6. To turn the large pocket into two smaller ones, sew a straight line up the middle of the pocket piece. Repeat steps 5 and 6 on other lining side.

7. Now that both lining sides have their pockets, place both finished pieces together (right sides facing) and sew along both sides and bottom...leaving square cut outs open.

8. Take square cut outs and pull sewn seams together and sew across.

This is what both bottom corners should look like:

The lining of the bag is now done...set aside, grab a diet coke, and let's start working on the outside:)

9. Take the lining piece of your outside pocket, fold in half to find center, and then pin two smaller pieces of velcro (mine were 3" long) to right side towards the center (about 2" down from top edge).

10. Sew one side of velcro down in each spot.

11. With other outer lining pocket piece, sew one side of velcro ( mine was 6" long) in place to right side of fabric about 2" from top raw edge.

12. With right sides facing, sew outer pocket lining to outer pocket. Sew with a straight stitch on the top and bottom of long sides.

13. Flip right side out and top stitch along top edge of pocket. Repeat steps 12 and 13 with other outer pocket.

14. Take finished outer pocket and lay it on top of your large outer piece and mark where the velcro on the inside of the pocket is so you know where to sew in the other side of the velcro. Pin other piece of velcro in place and sew down. I placed my pocket piece 1" above where my square cut outs were.

15. Sew pocket into place by sewing along the long bottom edge. Then to make your two pockets, sew a straight stitch up the middle of the pocket piece.

16. On the other large outer piece, place your large pocket in the same place (1" above the square cut outs) and sew along the long bottom edge.

17. Now to assemble the outer part of the bag. Place large pieces together with right sides facing each other and sew along both sides and the bottom, making sure the leave the square pieces open.

18. Repeat step 8 from above of sewing the bottom corners together. Now you have your out shell of the bag.

19. For the straps, you can make them as long or as short as you like. For mine I cut out two pieces of outer fabric that were 32"x2.5" and two pieces of fusible felt that were slightly smaller all the way around. Iron on the felt and also cut out two pieces of lining fabric that are also 32"x2.5".

20. With right sides facing, sew both strips together on each long side (creating a long tube). Flip right side out and top stitch along both long edges.

Now let's assemble the bag!

21. With your outer shell still turned inside out, flip your lining bag right side out and place inside the outer shell. You want both right sides of the fabric to be facing one another (so the lining of the bag will look inside out. Starting at the side seams, pin the raw edges of the outer bag and lining together.

22. Mark 5" in from both side seams (this is where your straps will go). Take your straps and place them down in the bag between both bag layers with raw edges facing up towards the ceiling. Pin both raw edges in between the outer piece and the lining piece. To make sure they are facing the right direction, make sure the outer fabric of the strap is pinned to the outer bag fabric and make sure the lining fabric of the strap is pinned to the lining bag fabric. I circled where both straps are pinned:

(Also make sure the strap is not twisted up when placed in the bag. I pin it to one side and then flatten it out as I feed it down into the bag and pin on the other side.)