Preschooler Backpack

When Logan started preschool, I made him a backpack. He chose all the fabric and notions and he still loves that backpack. Although Myra hasn't started preschool yet, she insists on taking a bag whenever we take Logan to school. So, even she won't start until next school year, I made her backpack already.

I let her raid the stash for fabrics, and she chose these two pink and brown cotton prints. We hit the store for notions, but the pinks that were available didn't match, so we went with brown. And I love it. I also added a front pocket - coloring book sized - with her name appliqued in brown. I used the same pattern pieces as I had for Logan's, which I had enlarged to accommodate a folder or binder for school.

Here is the back, with straps and hanging loop. I love how professionally this pattern comes together. And I am so pleased that we were able to find nylon strapping that was a perfect match to both the piping and the accent fabric. So awesome!

For structure, I interfaced the bag out fabric with craft fuse, which is also what I used on Logan's backpack and it has really held up well. It is kind of stiff and papery at first, but softens nicely with wear. The bottom of the bag is quilted, and the accent fabric is a densely woven poplin, so it should be nice and sturdy.

In the years since I made Logan's, Rae has added instructions for lining the bag, which I did. It looks so nice on the inside, and I imagine it will wear even better than Logan's (which is holding up really well). She can take it to college. :)

I finished it in the morning before Myra got up, so of course, she had to try it out as soon as she got out of bed. Pardon the morning hair and PJs. She loves it.

And so does Duncan. Looks like I need to make a little one for my little guy. How cute is that kid??

Made By Rae Toddler Backpack

I took a little break from bridal sewing to make Logan a much needed backpack for Preschool. Poor little guy had to take an old diaper bag the first day! He didn't care, of course, but I felt terrible. I've had this awesome pattern by Made by Rae, and I had fully intended to have it ready for his first day of school, but between bridal skirts and petticoats, just didn't get it done.Well, here it is! Logan choose the fabric and color scheme completely on his own. In fact, I had a dark blue embroidered cord in my head, but Logan wanted the animals on green.
Here is the bottom contrast fabric. Logan chose this blue to match the "hickopotimus". He also elected to go with a blue zipper and thread, but green piping and lower straps.
I think he did a great job!! The pattern is great and went together well. Since Logan takes a folder to school I did expand the pattern both length and width by 2 inches each. Rae includes directions for doing this in the pattern, but for the width increase, don't forget to also increase the front and back panel and to purchase a zipper that is 2 inches longer! You'll also need an extra package of piping, since your panels are bigger. Another tip that I learned the hard way is to stitch the front and back panels on with the "side loop" on top so that you can get really close to the edge of the piping. I ended up ripping out my front panel the first time because there was a huge gap in the stitching between the piping and the side panel.

This was such a fun project! I need some pink twill to make one for Myra - sometime AFTER the wedding!!