I love the excitement that enthuses a family when a new baby is on the way. I first learned about this Little One shortly after her grandmother-to-be did, and have felt a special kinship because of that serendipity. So it’s natural that I would want to sew something to welcome the babe. I decided to make a bag that would benefit the grandma, the mom, and the babe. Since the grandmother and the mother work together, I chose a tote bag the mom could use when Little One was being transported to grandma—something that would carry all those baby necessities that are required to make all parties comfortable and happy.
I turned to my favorite pattern designer, Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness Patterns. She has a free pattern that she uses as incentive when new followers sign up for her email list. It’s the Oslo Craft Tote. Sara’s intention was to hold a sewist’s tools when going for a play date with another sewist, or when heading to a class to learn something new.
This tote has pockets galore. The front has three small pockets, each side has a pocket with a snap flap that closes the pocket. The back has a long slip pocket, and the interior is divided into three equal sections.
That divided interior section caused me the most trouble. Somehow, when cutting out the eight pieces that become the divider, I cut two extras. I made the pocket pieces that comprise the pockets on each end of the lining. But as I assembled that divider insert, I grabbed those two extra pieces and left off the end pockets. Oy! Jack the Ripper got some exercise before I finished the insert.
The rest of the bag components were fairly easy to assemble, although time-consuming. Each completed step made me smile. I loved the way this bag looked. Absolute love.
I wanted to tuck some sort of gift inside the bag. I searched several sites for baby blankets and found this Crane baby blanket in a shade of green that went beautifully with this bag. It was not available in any store near me, but Amazon carries the Crane blankets, so I was all set. Amazon link.
I delivered the bag to the grandma a couple of days after the babe made her surprise early arrival. She loved the bag and delivered it to her daughter shortly thereafter. A few weeks later, I received the most beautiful thank you note I’ve ever received in my life. I have since met this beautiful little girl. She’s healthy and happy, and the whole family is in love with her.
And I’m feeling very lucky to be able to bring happiness like this.
