Changing Station

 I don't often make 3-D items like bags and such. 

 I decided to make a Changing Station (Patterns by Annie) for Avery.  

Talk about intimidating!!! 

 Just for me though, as I am always so nervous about making bags.

I bought all the things I needed to make it and then I let it sit...for months. 

 As the birth got closer I figured I really needed to bite the bullet and start it. 

 It was SO SCARY!  I 

took a deep breath, put on my Big Girl panties and started.  

I am proud to say I actually finished it! 

 Is it perfect,? NO.  is it done? YES. 

 Am I happy with it?  Mostly.

  If I make another one I would do a few things differently, like not use a big print.  

Or if I did I would know how to center it better and the directions the things go.  

It was the first time I used PUL (a waterproof fabric).  

I learned a LOT while making this.  

The pattern is very well written and I only had to rip out a few things

 (because it is difficult for me to think in 3-D). 

I cut my fabric and did the quilting before I could begin cutting out the pieces for the bag.  

I opted for straight lines and used tape to begin then guided with my walking foot.

Now for the finished bag!

This is the front of the bag.  

You can see that right under the striped bit there is a zipper closing a pocket on the outside of the bag.

I am going to show each part.  

This is the bag from the back side.

This is with the tab open and the first flap folded down.

There is a mesh pocket with a zipper. 

 I bought metal pulls to put on my zippers rather than making and using fabric pulls. 

 It saved a lot of time and frustration as those were teeny, tiny!

This is opened up one more time.  

You can see the 2 mesh pockets on the bottom of the photo and 

the top part is the removable changing pad part, folded up.

This is as I was opening up the changing pad part.

The white is the PUL

Here you can see the pad opened up all the way. 

 It is actually removable too. 

 At the top where it is attached to the bag, there is a Velcro strip under it so the pad can be removed!

This shows the entire thing when flipped over to the back side when it is all opened.

I loved the stripe cut on the bias for the binding. 

 I would cut the part that holds the entire pouch closed differently next time. 

 I cut the squirrels horizontal when it should have been a vertical cut to show up when closed. 

 If you zoom in on my photo you will see what I mean about that.

I bought a ball point needle to use on the PUL. 

 I also had to sew with tissue paper to avoid the PUL stretching.  

They are NOT kidding. 

 I tried without it and had to rip that out and re-do using the tissue paper.  

Then it sewed like a dream.

  I lengthened the stitch length to sew on the PUL and I think that helped too.  

So if you are nervous about working in 3-D like me, Patterns by Annie has your back.

Her patterns are well written and easy to follow.

Some of her patterns have videos and she is also very responsive to answering questions.

NO, I am not affiliated with her in any way, just a fan girl!

I am thinking I should make a couple more of these just so I get comfortable in making them.

Wouldn't these be great baby shower gifts?

Although to be fair, it took me 3 days to make, LOL.

I don't know how much more I will be blogging for awhile as we are spending all our time with baby Avery and the kids, so not much sewing will be happening over here.

I do have a couple more things here with me so you never know though!

~XOP~