A little something for me

This bag will be perfect for me this summer. It is large enough to throw a few things in for the kids, but not too large that I feel like I am carrying another diaper bag. It's going to be great for park play dates. 

Over the last few weeks, I've been following along with Nap Time Crafters Sew-off. I am not competing or anything, but I am sewing along to improve my skills. The competition sets a theme each week and then a panel of judges choose their favorites, voting off a few sewers each week for 4 weeks.

I love how the lining peaks out of the top
of the bag. 

This week's theme was sewing something for you. I figured it was definitely time I sewed something for me. I've sewn for Maisie (a ton), the new baby, and Calan, but I haven't done anything for me yet. It was time.

I figured a summer bag would be perfect for this mom of 3.

I needed a bag that was big enough to hold a few kid things, but that wasn't too large that I felt like I was carrying a suitcase.

This bag will be perfect for me to grab a few things and take the kids to the park for an hour or two. I'll be able to throw some essentials in when I don't need to take a full diaper bag along.

It will also be wonderful for any diaper bag overflow. I'll soon need things for 3 kids. I am sure that having extra space in another bag will be very beneficial to me.

To make this bag, I started out following Make It and Love It's Large Tote tutorial.

To taper off the top of the bag, I sewed the top corners
together. I love the shape of the bag it created.

As I kept sewing, I realized that I wasn't loving how wide the bag was on me, so I decided to sew the top corners together about 2 inches from the outer edge. To my accidental surprise, it created a great triangle shape to the bag. The outer edges fold toward the center now. I love the way it angles and how the inner-lining peeps out of the top of the bag.

I also added a magnetic snap to be able to close the bag, but still be able to reach in if I need to. With the top folding in toward the center, my items stay in the bag without needing a more covered closure.

The magnetic snap helps keep the bag closed, but offers
easy, quick access. 

The ruffle down the front was kind of an after thought, so it isn't sewn into the seams. I top-stitched into place. To make the ruffle, I just sewed together a long casing, turned it right-side out, pressed it, sewed a gathering stitch down the center, gathered till I liked it and it fit top to bottom of the bag, and then just straight stitched the ruffle to the bag. Since it was an after thought, I did not sew the ruffle down were it matched up with the magnetic snap. No need to break a needle. You can't even tell.

And just for fun and to add to the perfect play date look, I made Luvinthemommyhood's Commuter Cowl out of the inner-lining fabric. I bought the pattern a few months ago as part of a huge pattern-bundle sale. The pattern and tutorial were super easy to follow. It took me less than a nap time to complete the cowl from start to finish.

It will look great with a white t-shirt and jean skirt this summer as I tote around my 3 little ones.

With the bag and the cowl, I might actually look like a mom who has it somewhat together with 3 under 3. Looks can be deceiving, of course, but I am excited that I finally made something for myself.

Please excuse the large belly. Maybe one day
this little girl will make an appearance.
I'm 39 weeks pregnant today.