Jazz Cats diaper bag

My #2 son and his wife Rachel are expecting a baby in April.  I made another diaper bag from the Simplicity pattern I used 3 years ago to make the sock monkey bag for #1 son and his wife Suzanne. The previous bag was such a success that it was totally worn out. This time I decided to use a fabric that son #2, also a musician, might enjoy. There are jazzy cats playing congas and other instruments. I combined this with 2 other coordinated music fabrics. With the scraps I made 3 envelopes with velcro closures to help organize inside the bag and also a changing mat with a strap to hold it rolled up. I thought I had taken a bunch of photos to document this one a few weeks ago but they have disappeared. Maybe I imagined taking the photos. I did get just two at the shower this weekend. 

Simplicity 3937 Simply Baby, sock monkey tote, blanket, book

12/12/06 8:34 PM
Last Updated:	12/12/06 9:08 PM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	I would definitely sew this pattern again
Pattern Description: This pattern includes babies' buntings, hats, blanket, knit romper, and diaper bag. I made the bag. It has 2 outside pockets, 2 inside pockets and a flap with velcro for closing. Pattern Sizing: The garments come in sizes XS (1-3 months), S (6 months) and M (12 months). There is no indication as to the size of the diaper bag. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Way not! They did some kind of trick photography to make the diaper bag look about the width of the bunting. If that were a true representation that bunting would be too big for me. There were no dimensions given on the pattern envelope for the bag. I was concentrating on matching the fabric when I was cutting out and didn't pay attention to how big the pattern pieces were. Were the instructions easy to follow? Very simple. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I have not made a bag before so I was pleased with the ease of construction. Obviously I was surprised by the size of the bag but not terribly unhappy. It makes a very nice large tote bag. Fabric Used: A sock monkey design with a coordinating peeled banana print inside. They are both quilting cottons. I quilted the cotton onto batting and muslin to make it more bulky for the bag. I just stitched along the squares of the design. Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Not really any except I used a variety of interfacing weights as it seemed necessary instead of just light weight as called for in the pattern. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This makes a nice shaped tote with outside and inside pockets and no hard to find hardware. I might make one for myself out of a tapestry fabric. Conclusion I'm finally going to be a grandma so I'm starting a whole new world of sewing. I'm snapping up baby patterns when they are on sale and searching all different fabric sources for ideas. How fun. I've waited a while for this as my son will be 39 when the new baby arrives. When I spotted this sock monkey fabric I knew I had to use it somehow. My son takes a sock monkey I gave him years ago to every gig he performs and puts it out with the tip jar. So I'm going to make this a sock monkey baby. Maybe I could make an entire nursery ensemble out of related fabrics. Oh, wait. I guess that would be awful. I'll just make a few things. In the photo is a blanket I made with sock monkeys on red flannel backed with a luxurious micro-fiber. I also made a cloth book out of a related panel.