Custom baby/changing bag - apples and pears

Another one of my pencil sketches came to life when I made this custom baby/changing bag commissioned by a lady called Emma (what a bloody fantastic name ;) ha ha) for her friend Alison.

I love how it turned out, and I'm already working on a smaller version of the pattern to make it into a handbag for myself.

At the moment these bags are made to order but I'm hoping over the next month or so I will get a couple made and added to the website as ready made - ready to buy.

This Scandinavian print is so gorgeous, they still have it on Fabric Rehab if anyone is interested. 

Check out all that room!!! Definitely my kind of bag :D

The bag has a nice thick across the body strap which is adjustable, really comfy for when you've packed your bag full of essentials.

This tiny framed mannequin make the bag look huge, I should have take a photo of me wearing it. This mannequin is a size 8-10......totally not the same size as me lol!

As always a cute little bow and rhinestone flower button.

Really pleased with this bag and can really see it in lots of different fabrics, cant wait to make another! 

Mission Acomplished - Collaboration Completed

Now that Maya has received her custom baby bag I can show you (lots of) photos. Some of you already know that I have a base pattern for a changing/baby bag that I adapt and change depending on the specifications of the customer. Maya supplied the fabric which she hand printed especially for this project.

Its the first time I have taken on a collaboration project. I couldn't think of anything better than working with a textile artist. I was a little nervous and I was as precious with Maya's beautiful fabric as I am with my own creations. I had to make sure it was perfect.

The bag has an adjustable strap which can be worn over the shoulder, across the body or can be hung on the buggy.

I love these chrome buckles and sliders, clean and simple.

I decided to add two heights of magnetic fasteners, which means the bag can be compact for short journeys or expanded when you want to pack loads in. An addition to the original pattern I added two pockets to the front of the bag, well you can never have too many pockets when you're carrying the kit you need in your baby bag. I used the lining fabric that Maya chose to add a little detail to the pockets.

Inside there is a central divider with 3 medium pockets at the back for bottles and two large ones on the inside front of the bag for nappies etc. Plenty of room for everything.

Of course there had to be somewhere to put my signature Bagladee tag!

I also made a matching wet bag to pop inside when needed, which has a waterproof lining.

We discussed 'buggy' handles/straps and after quite a lot of sketches and sleepless nights (yes really, cant switch off when I'm trying to solve a sewing conundrum) I came up with these nifty little straps. Now they may not look that clever or exciting but.....

When you shorten the bag strap to the shortest length and hang over the handles of the buggy (these were designed for the type of Urban Buggy Maya was having)....

.....the straps then go around the straps and the buggy handles keeping the bag safely in place. So no sliding down the side of the buggy!

So there you go, from fabric to a complete changing bag set. Custom made for Maya and her baby, Luca. Congratulations to you and Marc on the birth of your beautiful baby boy!! xxx

Right off to get on with my next project!

**If you are interested in a custom changing/baby bag why not pop me an email (emma@bagladee.com)**

Changing bag progress

After having a well needed lie in this morning its time to get cracking on the final stage of Maya's baby bag. These were photos from earlier last week where I had all the pieces completed ready for constructing the bag.

I've loved working with Maya's fabric, the fabric weight is similar to upholstery weight, which is very durable and will wear nicely over time. And the print design is just so fab, I love the little birds and nest elements.

So here we are ready to sew the lining in now, this is a photo of the front of the bag which has two pockets and the flap folds down over the pockets. By the time I'm ready to post on Monday morning, Maya's baby should have arrived. How exciting!!!

Ooops there it goes again...

...another week has flown by and already its Wednesday tomorrow crikes!! I cant believe we in July!!

This week progress on Maya's baby bag is coming along nicely. I have the main body of the outer bag made and the lining with all the pockets and dividers done too, just the strap to sort with something a little extra on it and sew the 3 components together. Which is just as well as Maya will be going in to be induced tomorrow so baby will be arriving a week earlier than planned. I will show you some photos tomorrow.

Today I was emailed a sketch. Maya is making me into a cartoon!! I am so excited the sketch looks amazing, it still has to be inked and coloured but I cant wait to see it. I'm planning on putting it on my website on my 'About' page when its finished. She really is a talented illustrator, its so exciting I cant wait!

Settled and unsettled

*Breathes in, breathes out* Right where do I start, only Wednesday and what a week!! I was going to say what a busy week, but I think disconnected feels like a better word to describe it. I found myself chopping and changing between things and not really getting to the end of anything. There is so much going on at the moment (bagladee and me, mainly me things) that I dont know whether I'm on my head or my backside ;)

There are parts of my life where one chapter is ending and another one begining but I'm sat in limbo waiting for the next stage, isn't that soooo frustrating. Its almost like waiting for Christmas to arrive (lol dont hate me for saying the C word in June). I desperately want to share it with you but feel like if I do the whole thing will come crashing down on me and I will feel like a right lemon for 'putting it out there' so to speak. And you lot know me I'm ususally crap at keeping things to myself.

One thing I can say is that C has been busy setting up his new business venture and I've even persuaded him to join Twitter and Facebook, although I dont think he's keen on it. I give him 2months and he'll be as addicted as me :D

I've been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to make a custom changing bag for Maya a lovely lady I met at the Handmade in Britain Show last year, but to top it all off I'm making it out of some of Maya's handprinted fabric (see above) isn't it gorgeous!!! I just hope I do the fabric justice!! I've also been working on another custom order for Theo's PR lady who works for Ryman Stationary, Tina has ordered 50 'Theo' inspired Gingerbread Men decorations for the Head Office tree. I will show you some photos soon.

Hopefully soon things will start to settle down and I will be able to have a good chat with you all and let you know whats been going on, either that or I will need consoling with wine and chocolate!! No, only kidding....only positive thoughts allowed!