kate spade diaper bag mini-tutorial
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After Monday’s post (showing you the Kate Spade-esque diaper bag that I made for our sister-in-law), several of you asked for a tutorial.
Here’s the thing. For pretty much every single bag I make, I follow the same approximate steps. They’re here.
However, I did modify that tutorial a little to make this diaper bag similar to the ones my sister-in-law loves (think- adding pleats, a curved top and purse-ish handles).
To modify the Teacher Tote tutorial to make a Kate Spade diaper bag knock off-
Start with 17″x15″ fabric rectangles (two for the exterior and two for the liners). Add curved points near the middle (leave a little width at the top of each curve for the pleats). I measured one of my handbags for handle placement width and spaced mine with about six inches in between.
Follow the Teacher Tote tutorial to put together the exterior and the liner. Add pockets liberally (this is a diaper bag, afterall). I even added one pocket that spans the entire width of the diaper bag for iPad storage (those snaps in the picture above hold that pocket together).
To add purse handles, sew pleather/vinyl/leather tubes. Turn them inside out, fill with rope (for added sturdiness), and pin at the top of each curve, tucked down into the bag. I also pinned pleats in place on each curve (and then later, sewed the top of the pleat down with invisible thread to preserve the pleated shape).
I still added the option of an over-the-shoulder strap as well. Since I want Trish to have the option of leaving the shoulder strap on or taking it off, I added swivel clips to each side. The strap (made of pleather) has D-rings on each end for easy clipping.
The end result of this modified Teacher Tote? A pocket-laden, purse-ish Kate Spade knock off that’s also works as a diaper bag.
i am completely in love with this. i really really really wanna make one. and i need one too…i got rid of allllll my baby stuff after sophie, so i’m in big trouble. gotta make one of these guys!
Alicia- YES you should make one! It wasn’t a long project- a two naptimes and one after-the-kids-are-in-bed sew. I got rid of all of my baby stuff too, even though we plan on adopting in a few years. I was just ready to stop storing/moving things that we have no use for for now. But that’ll be funny to re-make (or buy- haha!) everything sometime down the road.
So excited for this little one to join your sweet family. 🙂
Do you make these to buy??!?
BrooKe- No, we don’t do any custom sewing at all! Sorry!
This is so gorgeous! I bet no one will believe you made it. It looks too perfect! Great job!
Wow Alida, thanks! Fingers crossed that it is just what she was hoping (without the homemade-but-you-shouldn’t-have vibe- haha). 🙂
That is indeed tres chic. Now if I could only find a baby to go with it…
Thanks Justine! And I think it’d be fine minus baby. 🙂 I browsed around your farmhouse tutorials tonight- you have such a great little spot. 🙂
Obsessed!!! Not sure I’m handy enough with the sewing machine just yet, but seriously obsessed! Way to go!
Haha- Ashleigh, you make me laugh. And you could totally make one. Bags are easy, though kind of time intensive the first few times. 🙂
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Great job! 🙂 But can I ask: how did you make the bottle pockets on the side? I’d love to try to make one myself! My little bambino is due in March! 🙂
Hey Kara- thank you! And congrats!!!
For the pockets, if you look at the teacher tote tutorial (http://kojo-designs.com/2010/09/kojotutorial-stripe-y-yellow-teacher-tote/), the pockets are called ‘gusset pockets’ (that side panel is a gusset).
Hope that helps!
I love this bag, I don’t have a baby (my youngest of 4 is 8 and he is the last one for us!) BUT I have been looking for a bag big enough to hold my folder, drink bottle and lunch, keys, wallets etc when I head back to uni this year to do my grad papers and I think this bag may just be what I have been looking for! Thank you 🙂
Megan- this is totally the bag for you! And definitely more ‘purse’ looking than diaper bag. 🙂
Where did you buy the hardware – Swivel clips, rings, etc? LOVE this bag!!
Thanks Meg! And I got all of the hardwareat Joann’s.
hello, I don’t know you but OH heavens. You need to sell these! I would buy one in an INSTANT! I have made totes before and quilt a little here and there, but I’m terrified to do all those pockets and pleating and making straps. OH my – I was just sitting at my computer gazing longingly at the real kate spade striped stevie bag and thought I’d search for a knock off and found this. 🙂 I’m so deeply in love. You amaze me!!!! wow. I kind of want to be brave enough to try making this. eek! although I do some sewing.. i’m really NOT that great so I’m Scared to try this!!! I think it might end in tears. haha.. but let’s be honest.. almost everything ends in tears for me lately with all these pregnancy hormones. 🙂
Andrea, this comment made me laugh.
And if you have made totes and quilts before, you can TOTALLY do this. Seriously. Give yourself a lot of time (the first time I made a diaper bag, it took me 30 hours… I am not exaggerating, I just wanted to get every single thing right) and take it in chunks and it’ll be no problem. 🙂
Send me a picture if you make one, ok? I’d love to see it (and celebrate with you!). 🙂
Oh my gosh, I’m scared to death by how much you’re inspiring me to try to make it! ahhh!! I’m 4 months along and I’m just about to finish quilt #2 for my little girl so maybe I’ll spend the next 5 months making this bag! haha. 🙂 It’s taken 2 weeks to make 2 quilts, and will prob take 5 months to make one bag. sounds about right….. 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence, and if I finish the bag and it doesn’t turn out completely embarrassing I will FOR SURE send a pic. Thanks again! I’m so scared and excited about this!
Haha, seriously, if you can quilt, you can make this bag. 🙂 Especially with five months on your hands. 🙂
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Is there any way at all that I can buy one of these from you? LOVE it!
What a sweet compliment- so sorry, but we don’t do any custom work at all at this time.
Way cute!! I like.
Thanks Mary!
I love this so much! You are so talented! I don’t have much sewing experience but I might give it a try! Where did you get the fabric? So pretty!
Thanks Monica!
The striped fabric is from Ikea (who would’ve thought, right?). 🙂
Hey! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this purse! I am totally making one for myself!! Question though! Do I see correctly that you used faux leather for the inside lining?
🙂
I did! Easy clean up by with a damp cloth! 😉