Introducing... Time for a Change Toddler & Baby Bag

I am beyond excited to finally release my new pattern! I started working on this design over a year ago, before Emmett was born, in an awesome couple of weeks post-bedrest and pre-delivery. Considering this has been in my head for a year, I seriously could not be happier with the result! It came out exactly how I had planned.

Toddler Bag / Handbag size and Baby Bag size

When I was looking at diaper bags (“nappy bags” here) I couldn’t find one I liked. I wanted something that didn’t scream diaper bag, something I could make in geeky fabric or canvas home dec material to make it more durable, and something that wasn’t SO girly that Bob would complain if I asked him to hold it. I wanted side pockets for water bottles, since breastfeeding is the most dehydrating activity on the planet. I wanted an outside zip pocket for MY stuff – my wallet, keys, phone, etc., so that I didn’t need my own purse. I wanted an open slip pocket on the back for quick access. I wanted the entire thing to zip, but open up wide so I could find what I needed quickly and with one hand! And because I’m me, I wanted a cross-body strap.

The zip was a challenge but SO worth it. The notches had to be just right. It is kind of Date Night and Takeoff Tote-esqe but you can open it WIDE, so you can stuff everything into it and it still has that hobo shape that falls nicely at your side.

Now, it has a zipper tab because you need a long zipper tail for the bag to open wide. The pattern has detailed instructions, and if you need more help I have a tutorial HERE. Friend of DUMD Yeechi has made an alternate tutorial with a different method, and you may find hers helpful as well!

/center>My favorite part is that *MY* stuff can fit in the front zippered pocket, so that my wallet, keys, phone, chapstick, etc. don’t get mixed in with Emmett’s toys and books and socks.

This is my first pattern since having Emmett, and since he is a year old now and 100% toddler, we had a chance to test this out with him as a newborn and then later once we didn’t need to carry so many diapers and outfits with us. When I was prototyping, I decided to make one a bit smaller, about 80-85%, and I fell in LOVE with that size. Since you can’t easily re-size this bag on your printer due to the design of the side panels, I decided to include both sizes. So far the Toddler Bag / Handbag size has been the most popular, and I suspect it will make a great commuter or everyday handbag for anyone who prefers a large bag.

Here are some comparison shots between the two sizes.

I tried to get a “Sammy for Scale” picture, but it was nap time.

The kid’s Camelbak fits in both sizes, and I’ll post a tutorial to adjust that pocket if you have a bigger bottle.

We struggled a bit with the name, since I’m quite sure this won’t exclusively be used as a baby bag, but as usual the Facebook group (Thanks Samantha!) came through by suggesting and approving of “Time for a Change”. Maybe it’s time for a change for your baby, or your toddler, or just yourself!

I’ve been busy writing some extra pocket options, a change mat tutorial and more, so I’ll link to these as they are posted. The anticipation for this (since I posted the first prototype over a year ago) has been off the charts and I am SO excited to finally make it available. Tutorials will be posted this week for stroller straps, a pacifier pocket, a change mat, and an elastic pocket.

Being far away without any of the conveniences of home (and giving up caffeine for breastfeeding!) left me falling asleep with Emmett instead of having late night pattern writing marathons. If you hadn’t heard, we lost little Loki back in February. Then we moved, twice, and not by choice. (The Sydney housing market is not kind to renters.) After finally unpacking my sewing room and nailing down the new design, I managed to blow a disc in my back that could take months to a year to heal. I’ve had some extra help the past couple of months since I can’t lift Emmett, but I also can’t sit for more than a few minutes, so this pattern took longer than usual! And before you say to rest, sewing and designing save my sanity, so please trust me when I say I need some sanity right now! The good news is that Emmett is amazing. He’s happy, he’s running, and he loves waffles with strawberries, playing with his blocks, and Emma Wiggle. <3

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I owe a HUGE thanks to my testers! With basically no notice when I’d be ready, they turned these bags around so fast! Now I know a lot of you have been waiting nearly as long as me for this, so I will let you go and sew! At least I got it done before Gilmore Girls came out, right??

Thank you!!!
Erin

Comments

Patti McHugh says:

November 23, 2016 at 11:13 PM

Erin, I was checking your website earlier this week as if I could sense that you were preparing this post. ? I’m so glad it’s done! When you announced it last year I wasn’t even pregnant or expecting to be pregnant so soon. Now I have a 4 month old boy (who came 3 weeks earlier). I can’t wait to make it! I’m very sorry to hear about Loki. I cried when I saw your IG posts. I hope you have an awesome Gilmore Girls Day, too! – PVMcHugh on IG

Introducing… Time for a Change Toddler & Baby Bag

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