Kate diaper bag

Need:
3/4 yard outer fabric
3/4 yard inner fabric
1/2 yard pocket fabric
3 yards light/medium weight fusible interfacing (I use Pellon 808) - unless you use heavier weight fabric like duck cloth
Thin elastic, 22"
Magnetic clasp or Velcro, if desired


1. Cut the outer fabric and interfacing, 2 pieces each of 22.5" by 14" rectangles, and follow the interfacing instructions to iron onto the fabrics. Cut the outer fabric, 2 pieces 18.5" by 5", and interfacing 18.5" by 4.5" rectangles. Iron the interfacing on the bottom of the outer fabric pieces.

2. Fold the outer fabric in half to find the center and mark it. From the center, mark 2 intervals 1/2" apart on both sides (so you have 5 markings total). Fold on the 2nd and 4th marks in toward the center mark, and the 1st and 5th marks out to create a tuck. Pin well.

From the outermost markings (1 and 5), measure 3.5" toward the edges and mark it, and mark an additional 0.5" toward the edges. Fold in and out to create a pleat. Pin well.

Sew along the top edge of the outer panel to stabilize the tuck and pleats. 

3. Repeat step 2 for the other outer panel.

4. Line the small rectangle along the top edge of the outer panel. Sew using a 0.5" seam allowance. Repeat for the second panel and small rectangle. Iron seam and top stitch 0.25" above seam.

5. With right sides together, sew the two outer panels together along both sides and along the bottom.
Open up the bag, and flatten the seams at the corners. Line up the side seam with the bottom seam. Make a triangle 2" from each corner and sew straight across, creating a base.

6. Cut the inner fabric and interfacing, 2 pieces each of 22.5" (bottom) and 18.5" (top) by 14" trapezoid. Iron the interfacing onto the inner fabric. Cut the inner fabric, 2 pieces 18.5" by 5", and interfacing 18.5" by 4.5" rectangles. Iron the interfacing on the bottom of the outer fabric pieces.

7. Repeat step 4 with the inner fabric and rectangles.

8. Cut pocket fabric, 2 pieces 24" by 12" rectangles. Fold each pocket in half, so that the pieces are 24" by 6". Cut interfacing, 2 pieces 24" by 5.5". Iron the interfacing on the bottom half of both pieces, with the edge of the interfacing lined up with the crease in the pocket.  
On one pocket top stitch along the folded side (0.25" seam). On the other pocket, top stitch along the folded side (0.5" seam) and pull elastic through, pinning on each end.

9. On the fabric side of one inner panel, mark a line 2.5" from the bottom. Line the bottom of the pocket up (right sides together, with the top of the pocket facing the bottom of the inner panel) with the line you just marked. 
Create two tucks 4" from both edges and pin. Sew the length of the panel with a 0.5" seam. Repeat with second inner panel and pocket.

10. Flip the pocket right side up, and find the center. Sew a straight line from top of the pocket to the bottom 2.5" to right of the center. Repeat 2.5" to the left. I sewed over this twice. 
Pin the loose edges of the pocket to the edges of the panel. The side pockets should bow out and the center should lay flat. Repeat with the second panel.

11. Cut the inner and outer fabric and interfacing, 2 pieces each of 25" by 5". These can be pieced if needed. Iron on the interfacing as directed. 
Sew one inner and one outer piece right sides together along one long side (0.5" seam). Repeat with the other two pieces. 

12. Turn the pieces right side out and iron along the seam. Then fold both sides in toward the middle (so that they are 2" wide). 
Top stitch along both long sides of each piece (0.25" seam). These will be your handles.

13. Affix the magnetic clasp or Velcro to the top center of the inner panels.

14. On the wrong side of the inner panels (lining), mark 4" from both edges and pin the handle ends 2" from the top of the bag. Sew a square and "x" around all ends of the handles.

15. With right sides together, sew the two inner panels together along both sides and along the bottom.
Make a triangle 2" from each corner and sew straight across, creating a base to match the outer bag. (see step 5)

16. Drop the inner lining (right sides in) inside the outer bag (right sides out). Line up the top edges and pin. 
Top stitch (at least twice) around the top of the entire bag to finish!

I made this bag for a friend of mine. I had some left over fabric (I bought a yard of everything), so I made a diaper changing pad and some burp cloths.

The diaper changing pad is 18"x24". I used a piece of vinyl and fusible fleece. Fuse the fleece to the back of the outside fabric, and then layer everything, right sides together, with the vinyl in the middle. Sew all the way around, leaving a good few inches open to flip. When you flip, make sure the vinyl covers the side you want it to. Tuck the open edges in and sew all the way around. I also sewed through the pad length-wise to secure the vinyl a little more and to add a decorative touch on the outside.