new clutch design

As I've now given several Grab 'n' Go diaper clutches to friends,

we've discovered that they work great with disposable diapers

and not well with cloth diapers. So I spent some time in May

designing a new diaper clutch pattern -- one that would have a front

flap closure which allows for fabric matching, plenty of internal

space for two cloth diapers + wipes and changing pad, and a

zipped wet bag pocket for bringing dirty diapers back home.

The challenge was adding all these features and maintaining a sleek shape!

My first attempt, above, came out too saggy with the zip pocket

in the front wall of the bag. The sides of the bag also needed shaping.

For the second attempt, I angled the sides to curve in

slightly toward the top. I also mirrored this shape in the flap.

Finally, I changed the zipped pocket to an inset zipper

and added a waterproof inner lining (polyurethane laminate)

which can be untucked for easy washing.

 

The final (third) round ended up getting an inch taller and

two inches longer. I don't have photos of it with me in Oregon,

so I'll have to post it when we get home next week!

for pleat's sake

 I recently stitched up this bag from Lisa Lam's free

tutorial (over here!). I love how the pleats turned out...

 and that the pleats are stitched both outside and in.

It came together quickly and easily. However, when (not if) I make it

again, I'll draw up a pattern on paper first so I can get all the pleats

to match up more precisely. I'll also preshrink my lining, which I didn't

do this time. I figured it would always be dry-cleaned, so why remove

the sizing? Unfortunately, the ironing required for pleat and interfacing

installation created a great deal of unwieldy shrinkage. Nothing a little

edge trimming wouldn't fix, since the measurements are flexible. 

Live and learn!

inset zipper success

 

I just learned how to install an "inset zipper" in a bag lining!

This means that the opening floats in the middle of a piece

of fabric without additional seams around it. The zipper

just discreetly points the way to a little, hidden pocket.

 To get here, I followed Lisa Lam's tutorial. Very helpful

and clear, as is everything she writes on u-handbag.typepad.com.

Thanks, Lisa!