Diaper Bag Nightmare

[indigo_sue]

I have just thrown my latest sewing project across the room in a fit of pique. I know I will have to stop this kind of behaviour when I have a little one around modelling his reaction to frustration after me, but honestly sometimes I just cannot help myself. I'm sure it points to anger management issues.

I've had "make diaper bag" on my project list for quite a few months now, because I saw some of those Origami bags made of Chinese silk brocade in a store right after getting pregnant, and looking at the price tag made me snort with laughter. I have had some black silk brocade with red rosettes in my fabric stash for nearly two years, and I decided I would find a diaper bag pattern and make myself one... saving $80 in the process.

Well, $#@(#*@)(#$)(#!!!!!!!!! :

It's true that it's been a long time since I made something complicated, but seriously I used to make bridesmaids outfits and evening gowns and Anne Klein designer suit jackets. You'd think a freakin' diaper bag wouldn't be past my abilities, even at 38 weeks pregnant. You'd think wrong. The INSTRUCTIONS were horrendous... I should have realized when I read through the instructions the first time and couldn't quite visualize all the steps that I was getting myself into trouble. I should have gone right out and got a different pattern right there. But no... I cut out $25 worth of beautiful chinese silk brocade and started working. The illustrations are incomplete and my idea to use goretex instead of regular lining fabric was a super-bad idea.

I'm SOOO put out. I wasted 10 hours today working on this project when I could have been making so many other things... not to mention the total waste of fabric. In the end what made me throw it down was trying to put the damn lining into the bag and realizing that the dimensions were 2" to 3" out of line. That's NOT just a difference in seam allowances - that's something being incredibly mucked up. By mucked up, I mean something different that rhymes and begins with an F!!!

So, for the record, I do NOT recommend ever using Butterick B5005.

Also annoying: when I finally added back in the 4th thread on my serger (I've been using only one needle for the past year or two) I found out that either the tension on my serger is totally wacked out, or I've forgot how to set up my machine. Either way, none of my stitching is turning out right.

All in all, I'm a VERY GRUMPY PREGGO TONIGHT!

[sabrinat]

So sorry about that. I have that pattern, although I don't really carry a diaper bag much anymore, but I thought hey it's $.99 I'll make one for a present. Anyway, if you'd like to try and salvage any parts of your bag I have the Sew Baby Double duty bag that would be stunning in brocade and I'd be happy to trace it for you and send it to you. It's super easy I did mine in about a day (including numerous interruptions from sweet well intentioned assistants) and I'm no sewing genius. Let me know.

[indigo_sue]

Well, here's to sleeping on it... after last night's tantrum I forced myself to sleep all the way to 9am (clearly, I don't have a child yet) and then went out to the farmer's market and had breakfast before returning to the task. By the time I got back I was still convinced the instructions were crappy, but I had figured out how the bag should go together WITHOUT the instructions. I cut out all new pieces for the lining and facing, and pinned/basted it all together and it went the way *I* thought. The instructions were blissfully vague.

So it's done now. It's not as nicely finished as I'd like, but it's a diaper bag and it is mine and now I can go on to sewing other things.

[Jenlaana]

would love to see pics of it Sorry its been so frustrating for you.

[indigo_sue]

There are pictures here:

http://www.justsue.ca/2007/07/15/the...ng-diaper-bag/

[courtenay_e]

Yeah. Butterick's instructions are notoriously poorly written. Sorry you experienced that on this project. It's beautiful, by the way--you did a BEAUTIFUL job. And I really love the fabric.

[jessielove]

Whomever writes the instructions for Butterick patterns should be forced to sit down and sew something from their horribly vague and poorly written instructions. Or boiled in oil. I think forcing them to sew one of their own patterns might be a touch cruel.

{Says she who just finished a Butterick diaper bag pattern and is grumbling to herself about how floppy it turned out. The instructions don't call for interfacing, but I thought about adding it anyway and changed my mind. Go with your instincts on these things ~ lesson learned.}

Oh, wow, but you did a great job anyway. The bag looks lovely!

[Jenlaana]

Its beautiful. Great job momma!

[sabrinat]

I think it turned out fine. The only thing I might have done differently would be to use a heavier interfacing to give the bag a bit more body, but that's a personal thing w/me...I like a stiffer type bag. You'll definitely be unique and think how proud you'll be when people ask where you got it and you can say "Oh, I made it!"

[indigo_sue]

Yeah, the instructions called for "hair canvas" interfacing which I've never heard of in my 12 years of sewing and reading Threads magazine. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to locate it here in town. (I live in Vancouver BC which is NOT a tiny location - just happens to be the end of the earth as far as fabrics go. You can't even buy PUL here). I couldn't get the iron-on vinyl either, which the pattern called for.

Oh well. Tis done.

[sabrinat]

FWIW, you really can't get PUL at any fabric store. I probably would have used Peltex or something like that instead. But it's still great!