Quilted Crescent Bag

I don’t know if anyone really understands how large this thrifted quilt is (was?), but it is the Mary Poppins quilt.. there will magically be enough fabric for project after project.

When I initially thought about making a bag, I started looking up belt bags, but realized those are a bit played out at this point. That would have been a nice idea 3 years ago. I took some time to people watch a bit more and realized the new shape is the crescent bag. So, I decided on the “Bestie Bag” pattern from Blackbird Fabric.

This was my first time sewing in a zipper and a lining, and it went well! The only new material I needed for this project was that zipper which is pretty satisfying. I was able to pick apart and use the quilt backing as lining with no issue, and the batting as my interfacing. Using a low to no cost material really takes the pressure off.

It’s pretty debateable if sewing is ever the frugal choice, but for this project I think I have a pretty strong argument that it was. I legitimately was in need a of a slightly smaller diaper bag than the current backpack I have been using. At this point, the material is essentially free! The issue with my backpack I had been using was that sure, I could fit a lot of things… but I never end up carrying it on my person because it seems so large and annoying. I have a nice full, prepared bag of items I expressly leave in the car or the house. Super helpful.

With this new bag, I think I will actually carry this with me when I go places, so I don’t have to do things like:

leave behind items in a store because the one card I carry on my phone is getting declined

drive back and forth in traffic two times because I forgot my Costco card. It is one card too many to fit in the back of my phone.

have my kids mooch off and beg around for other parents snacks they have kindly packed for their own kids because I never reliably carry my bag with me

And so on. Maybe it’s wishful thinking that a bag can minimize embarassing situations in my life.