Time for a Change Toddler & Baby Bag Sewing Pattern

• Two sizes! A toddler/handbag size and a baby bag size:
• Toddler Bag/Handbag: 14” wide at the bottom, 11” wide at the top, 11” tall, 4.75” deep, with a 30” to 55” adjustable strap
• Baby Bag: 16.5” wide at the bottom, 13” wide at the top, 13” tall, 5.5” deep, with a 30” to 55” adjustable strap
• 30-pages of full-color, detailed instructions with 165 photos
• Computer generated pattern pieces you print at home
• Top wide-open zipper closure
• Front zip pocket
• Back slip pocket
• Two end pockets
• Inside patch pocket (additional pocket tutorials on the blog!)
• Adjustable cross-body strap
• Lining is completely finished with no raw edges or binding
• This is a PDF Sewing Pattern. You must be able to save, and print a PDF file.
• Download link is provided after purchase.
• Sorry, no refunds on digital products.

When I was looking at diaper bags, I wanted something that didn’t scream baby... 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 about it. I wanted side pockets for water bottles, since breastfeeding has to be 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 wide. And because I’m me, I wanted a cross-body strap. In my head was this hybrid of Date Night and the Takeoff Tote, but the Date Night style zip wouldn’t open up wide enough, so I had to design a whole new zipper technique! It took a few prototypes, but I’m thrilled!

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 it will make a great commuter or everyday handbag for anyone who prefers a large bag.

I’ve been busy writing some extra pocket options, a change mat tutorial and more that are available on the blog under "tutorials". The anticipation for this (since I first posted it over a year) has been off the charts and I am SO excited to finally make it available. 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 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!

Materials Needed:

Toddler Bag/Handbag size: 
Main fabric (Quilting cotton or home dec): 1 1/3 yards
Lining fabric (Quilting cotton): 1 1/8 yards
20” wide woven fusible interfacing (SF101): 3 3/4 yards
22” wide sew-in batting and/or stabilizer 
(Pellon 988 + Pellon 50): 1 yard each
Extra firm interfacing (like Peltex): 13.25” x 4”
Strips of sew-in interfacing for top of pockets (optional)
Slip in hard base: 13” x 4” (optional) (Art board, 
plastic canvas, or flexible plastic cutting board)
Scraps of fusible web (optional)
10” or longer nylon handbag zipper
14” or longer nylon handbag zipper
Two 1.5” rectangle rings and one 1.5” slider

Baby Bag size:
Main fabric (Quilting cotton or home dec): 1 1/2 yards
Lining fabric (Quilting cotton): 1 3/4 yards
20” wide woven fusible interfacing (like SF101): 4 3/4 yards
22” wide sew-in batting and/or stabilizer 
(Pellon 988 + Pellon 50): 1 1/8 yard each
Extra firm interfacing (like Peltex): 16” x 4.75”
Strips of sew-in interfacing for top of pockets (optional)
Slip in hard base: 15.5” x 4.5” (optional) (Art board, plastic canvas, or flexible plastic cutting board)
Scraps of fusible web (optional)
11” or longer nylon handbag zipper
16” or longer nylon handbag zipper
Two 1.5” rectangle rings and one 1.5” slider