Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and comforting words during this time in our lives. We are so very thankful for the sewing community and the friendships formed through it!

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Well, we asked the loaded question . . . and we got the dreaded answer!!

“Backpacks or clothes to begin the year?”

Without hesitation, “BACKPACKS”!

*Insert AUDIBLE GROAN here!*

Are you kidding us?!?!? We’ve yet to sew a BAG, much less a backpack.

Backpacks have . . . ZIPPERS . . .

And THICK interfacing . . .

And, must be able to withstand the daily rigors of a child . . .

OH. DEAR.

Since the verdict had been decided, we asked “Sister Momma” to pick out the fabric {decisions aren’t our forte}, and we’d go from there. A few possibilities were sent her way, and she decided Robert Kaufman’s Rainbow Remix {by Ann Kelle} was the print for her…errrr, we mean, EA.

We agreed. The bright colorway was perfect for a backpack . . . and could be paired with a variety of solids, depending on if one were sewing for a boy or a girl. Ann Kelle generously sent us some of the Rainbow Remix print {for both the main fabric of the backpack, as well as the lining}, via Robert Kaufman, and we were ready to go. Life slowed us down for a while, yet EA was able to head to preschool with a new backpack after the Labor Day holidays. Hey . . . that’s when a lot of schools begin anyway, right?? Not hers, but anyway . . .

EA loves her some pink, so pink became our “accent color” – utilizing it on the straps, zipper, piping, and bottom panel.

We used the Toddler Backpack pattern {Made by Rae}, and added a few minor details {ie: POCKETS}. These changes will be detailed in CL’s backpack post, because YES . . . she got one too!

The main thing to note about the sewn backpack and toddler backpack pattern: We increased the size of the backpack 2″ in length and 2″ in width. We felt as if this would give EA a bit more growing room with it. Her folders seemed to fit better in the increased area, yet it didn’t seem to “swallow” her with the additional space.

The next time {yes . . next time . . . because more backpacks will probably be in our future – depending on how these hold up}, we plan to increase the length of the padded straps.

These seemed a bit wimpy, compared to the rest of the backpack. It is completely a matter of preference, but one we want to remember to amend next time.

** Please note: The Rainbow Remix {by Ann Kelle, for Robert Kaufman} was given to us, but as always everything written is our honest opinions.

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