Handmade changing bag with baby taggy, a great gift set

Are you sewing for Christmas? It has suddenly dawned on me that I have promised to make a changing bag for my danish nephew and wife who are expecting their first baby this Christmas. Back in the summer fabric was chosen and bag designs discussed…. Nothing like a looming deadline to motivate me to make the bag! I wish I wasn’t a last minute person, but I am who I am!!

The neutral fabric choices have grown on me, I love the splash of stars as you open the bag.

The bag is a modified version of the free pattern from Sew4Home. I have used standard cotton rather than PUl for the lining, reducing the number of internal pockets but adding in a zip pocket at the front of the bag.

This is designed for wallet, mobile and keys – perfect. No need to go rummaging in the bottom of the bag to find your essentials.

Lastly to add an element of surprise to the gift I whipped up a taggy, lined with the empty packet of wipes to add a sound effect for the baby. The taggy’s are super simple to make, you will need two squares of fabric and loops of ribbon. Lay the fabric right sides together, loops placed inwards, stitch all around leaving a turning gap of a couple of inches. Turn then hand stitch to close. If you like to add a crinkle effect place a layer of plastic on the outside (as you are sewing), this is then hidden inside the finished taggy. The plastic from a packet of baby wipes is perfect for this.

If they have a second child I suspect will make them a thirty minute changing mat – yes it really is that quick! Find the tutorial for it here.

I’m slowly working my way through handmade gifts:) 

PS Not quite sure I have become old enough to be a great Aunty!!!