Sewing for #babyschep: Belle Baby Bag

As promised, another WIP update.  This time, it's a bag project.  After all, shouldn't a brand-new baby call for a brand-new diaper bag?

I bought the Belle Baby Bag pattern from Swoon Patterns:

Doesn't it look smart?  I just had to have it.  I knew, though, that to get that polished look from the pattern photo that I'd need to venture into the world of vinyl.  So I did!

Not too shabby for a first timer!

Now, I learned to make bags under the tutelage of Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness.  She's been offering glitter vinyl and cork fabric in her shop for a little while now, so I figured I'd take the plunge and give it a shot.  I used a denim needle, regular 50wt thread (though I wish I'd used a thicker thread), and a walking foot.  The glitter vinyl was surprisingly easy to sew. 


Now I've been hoarding this yard of "germy" looking fabric (isn't that what it reminds you of?) for quite some time now, and thought it would look nice in this bag. 

 What ended up happening, though, is that I improperly joined the pattern pieces together and wasted the yard of fabric!  So, lesson learned.  If you don't understand a step in the pattern, just suck it up and ask for help.  It just might save you a yard or two of fabric! 

As I write this post, I'm all but done with this project (I know, I know), so the big reveal will come (including the alternate fabric!) as soon as I can get some pictures uploaded.  Linking to Let's Bee Social and Finished or Not Friday.  Until then, God Bless!



Soft Book Finish!

 

Ever since I found out I was expecting baby number 1, I have had an obsession with purchasing soft book panels.  I've actually finished a handful of them (it's my goal to actually round these bad boys up and photograph them later), but here's my most recent finish:

 

 

This particular book is a tad smaller than what you usually find, so it came together even faster than usual.  I picked up this panel on a little vacay shop-hop my husband put together for me when we were in Fort Meyers, Florida last year.  I thoroughly enjoyed all of the shops in the area--I wish I had more money to spend when I was there!

My stitching isn't perfect--you can see the page numbers on this one, when they are supposed to be hidden in the seam.  This particular panel required me to measure the seam allowances, then to construct the books using a 1/4" seam--typically these panels call for a 1/2" seam, so I'm fairly certain it's my fault.  As for the interfacing, I used fleece, rather than batting, and it worked just fine.  Shout out to my hubby for cutting the fleece for me (that's true love, y'all)! 

Ultimately, my son has enjoyed this particular soft book more than the others I've stitched for him so far.  I'm sure part of his affinity for this book is his familiarity with the characters (I've spotted some Thomas books at grandma's house), coupled with the smaller size, which is easier for his little hands to manipulate.  My heart leaps with joy whenever I watch him "read" his book! 

In other news, I've started the process of cutting out the pieces for my new diaper bag (so exciting!), so expect an update on that soon.  Linking up here, here and here.  Until next time, God Bless!