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Mother & Baby Bag | BAG WEEK | Kaz Marr Variation

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

New mums can always use a bit of extra help! Sew this handy, practical bag which doubles as a backpack and buggy bag, with lots of pockets for every essential!

For 'Bag Week', Kaz Marr has come up with not one, but two variations of classic HYSC bags! This lovely floral version of the New Mum & Baby Bag has been beautifully colour-coordinated. An inverted version of the main fabric has been used for the side pockets and bag flap. This has such a pleasing overall effect, and the fabrics contain so many blues, purples and lilacs. Kaz has even selected deep blue buckles that match the background of the main fabric!

It just goes to show how the same project can have a totally different look when a new approach has been taken. If you haven’t already, it’s also worth taking a look at Kaz’ Children's Backpack.

Some of you may remember this project and feel inspired to make the bag again, but for new members this may be your first time making the bag! The step-by-steps below have been taken from the original project, but if you’d like to follow the video for extra guidance, please refer to this page.

Techniques

1. Magnetic clasps
2. Using printed pattern

Expert help

Magnetic clasps annoyingly don’t come with instructions on how to fit them. Follow these tips to add the clasps so they don't pull and ruin your bag.

• When making your incisions into your fabric to fit the clasps, don’t cut them too big. You want the holders of the clasps to be stabilized snugly.
• I sandwich a piece of scrap fabric in between when attaching the clasp to its backing plate. This prevents the clasp from pulling.

Also keep in mind...

• Use a separate pair of scissors for cutting out your printed patterns – paper will blunt your fabric scissors!
• Apart from the front and back of the bag, each pattern piece is either square or rectangular, so you may prefer to refer to and use the measurements described in the smaller, overall diagrams on the downloadable template sheet, instead of printing out all the pattern pieces.

Difficulty

This is a challenging project. If you’d like to make an easier practical bag, the Gardening Tool Caddy has lots of compartments and pockets and doesn’t necessarily have to be used for gardening!

Finished size: the finished bag is around 18in (45.75cm) wide, 11½in (29cm) high plus the flap and 5in (13cm) deep.

Note: Use a ½in (1.25cm) seam allowance throughout unless otherwise stated.

If you'd like to chat with other members about making the bag, remember to go to the forum or the Half Yard Sewing Club Facebook page.

For further bag inspo, you can also check out the Half Yard Sewing Club Pinterest.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Fabric shears
• Sturdy hand-sewing needle
• Safety pin

Materials

• 46 x 22in (117 x 56cm) of fabric 1 for the outer front, back, sides and base
• 30 x 10in (76 x 25.5cm) of fabric 2 for the flap
• 33 x 22in (84 x 56cm) of fabric 3 for the two side pockets and the front zip-pocket lining
• 46 x 20in (117 x 51cm) of fabric 4 for the lining
• 22 x 20in (56 x 51cm) of fabric 5 for the straps and handle
• 20 x 18in (51 x 46cm) mesh fabric for the inside pockets
• 16in (40cm) zip
• Two magnetic buckles
• Two 1in (2.5cm) rectangular rings
• Two 1in (2.5cm) sliders
• 46in (120cm) of ½in (1.25cm) wide elastic
• Strong hand-sewing thread to attach the buckles

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