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10.02.2009

toddler backpack pattern

My son is just reaching the age of imitation (or, as my daughter says, he's being a copy cat). During dinners I will look over at my son to find that his eyes are glued to my spoon and he is shadowing my every movement, from dip to slurp and everything in between. He repeats every word he hears, making this a bad time to live in close proximity to the skate park. And anything his sister does, well, Birdie Boy must do too. This includes what Smootch wears. Flowing pink dresses are demanded and declared, "Itty!" (Translation: pretty.) He carries her sparkly shoes around lovingly (they also are effective weapons for a stinging slap across the head, something he will find in handy if he carries on his cross dressing past toddlerhood). He's an accessory boy: bracelets, hairbands, and, of course, purses and bags. Smootch has nothing of her own anymore.

Time for Birdie to get his own bag.


This backpack pattern was one that I created a few years ago for a craft swap partner's young daughter who was two years old at the time. The opening is just an overlap on the near the top of the front. Velcro could be added to help keep it closed but isn't necessary. Not having any zippers or snaps, it's very simple for a toddler to open and fill up. Good for play and great for a daycare bag, where the child can get their own toys, cup and diapers from their bag. Plus it's quick enough to make in a naptime (if you don't check your email first :D)

My backpack is made from a cotton print of an old style flour bag, which I found in a thrift store. I'm not sure who made the fabric since it had been cut into fat quarters and finished along two sides. It looked like someone wanted to use it as a table runner or something decorative. If anyone knows something about the fabric or the design, please share, I'd love to know more.


I am going to do a couple things different for this tutorial. First off, I'm actually going to provide you with the pattern pieces, which I am able to do now that I am subscribing to a zingy file transfer site. Second, I'm going to try this tutorial out as a sewing pattern internet busking type of thing. You'll see what I mean at the bottom :)

On with the show!


Toddler Backpack

Download Pattern

(3 page pdf - print at 1:1 scale or 'no scaling')

This backpack uses about 3/4 meter or yard of woven fabric and 3/4 meter or yard of medium weight fusible interfacing.

To cut fabric and interfacing, follow instructions printed on the three pattern pieces (Back, Front Bottom, and Front Top). Don't forget to also cut additional strips of fabric for the Side and the Straps, as indicated on the pattern sheets.

Following manufacturers instructions, fuse interfacing to the wrongsides of the corresponding pieces. All pieces except the Straps require interfacing.
Once interfacing is applied, you now have:
Back piece
Front Top piece
Front Bottom piece
Side piece
2 Straps
This pattern uses a 1/4" seam allowance.

To begin,
Using the dashed/dotted line from the pattern as a reference, fold Top Bottom piece in, wrong sides together.

(Note: because fusible interfacing was used, there should be no need to finish the raw edges with a serger or zig zag stitch to prevent fraying. However, you may feel the need to anyway, or just like the serged edges. If this is you, before you go any further, finish the long straight edges of the Front Top and Front Bottom pieces.)

Top stitch at 1/4" along fold.
Repeat fold and top-stitch for Front Bottom piece.


To overlap the Front Top and Front Bottom, use the Back piece as a guide by laying the Top Bottom piece on the Back and then placing the Front Top piece down in proper alignment.


Pin the Front Top to the Front Bottom on the sides (don't pin the Back piece, but set it aside for now). Machine baste the Top and Bottom together where they overlap on the sides. If desired, add small velcro tabs to keep overlapped pieces closed when backpack is in use.
Form the Side piece into a loop by stitching the short ends, right sides together. Pin the Side piece to the Front piece, right sides together, with the seam on the bottom. Stitch Side to Front.


(Just an aside here. Stitching fusible interfacing curves is not so easy because there is no stretch to the material. Give yourself some extra time here and don't worry while sewing, it will work out. Forgive small tucks, they are really no big deal.)

Clip curves. Press the seam allowance towards the side and top stitch around, catching the seam allowance (stitch while still turned wrong sides out. It looks a bit weird, but, trust me, it's much easier.)


Put aside the Front piece.

To make the straps, take one 3" by 15" strip of fabric and fold it right sides together lengthwise. Stitch closed along the raw edges, forming a tube. Turn tube right side out (use a safety pin to turn). Press flat and top stitch along length-wise edges. Repeat for other strap.


Position and pin the ends of the straps to the right side of the Back piece at the top and bottom sides, as indicated in the below photo:


Machine baste straps to Back piece.


To complete the backpack, stitch the the Back to the Side piece, right sides together. Clip curves (do not top stitch). Turn backpack right side out and apply to child.


I welcome all questions and comments!

Come see some of my current work: Pulp Anatomy on Facebook

This tutorial helpful?  Buy me a cup of coffee :D  Link on the sidebar.  Thanks bro!
Updated 2020-03-27


148 comments:

  1. I am so gonna make one of these! Thanks for the tute :)

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  2. Awesome! Thank you so kindly :) The babes I nanny for will love it.

    (Also, where did you get that fabric?! I live in Sask and would love something like that!)

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  3. That's awesomely great! My daughter has been asking for her own backpack (as she watches her siblings head off to school) and this'll be perfect!

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  4. Very cool. I had a lot of trouble finding a small backpack for my wee ones. This would be perfect!

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  5. My own little backpack is just about to fall apart. So really gonna try that.
    And if it works for me, then I think I'll make a few more, for just about any outfit

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  6. So cute. I thought I'd done well converting my re-discovered African flour sacks into kitchen blinds. See my blog from a few days ago. But not nearly so cute as this! Well done.

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  7. Thanks all!

    Becky,
    I found the fabric in a thrift store and it did not have any other markings. It's a nice cotton, though. If I ever learn anything about it I will share the info.

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  8. So cute. SO CUTE!
    I have vintage flour sacks and participate in craft shows.

    I am seeking permission to make these little backpacks to sale at my shows using this pattern.
    (Please let me know, as I will not use it unless I have your permission.)

    Also - I sale vintage flour sacks in my Etsy shop.

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  9. Great idea - it's really hard to find toddler sized back packs!

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  10. This is fabulous!! I remember when my daughter was just starting preschool we had a hard time finding a backpack that wouldn't swallow her tiny frame.

    I posted a link to your pattern on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-toddlers-backpack/2009/10/05/

    --Anne

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  11. "can make in a nap time if you don't check your email first." ... it's like you know me! lol.

    Looks like a great tute. And a great thrift store find with that fabric!

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  12. Just found your blog. . . great stuff!

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  13. I love this little backpack. Just made it for my three-year old son. He stuffed it full of toys and took off down the driveway to show Grandma. I think I'll try to blog it soon. Can't wait to make more of these. Thanks for this tutorial!
    ~Jenny~

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  14. I love this! My daughter needs a smaller backpack, I think I'll make one this weekend

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  15. That is sooooo cute! I love that you used a flour sack, it's so sweet and unique! Thanks so much for sharing the pattern, I'll be linking to this.

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  16. AWESOME!!! thank you so much, i donated a little sumthin' sumthin'. this is going to make christmas gifts a LOT easier for all the little folks in my life. we are doing a 'handmade' christmas again this year, and i have run out of ideas of things they may want/need!

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  17. that is awesome! i love how you used the vintage flour sack fabric.

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  18. I love the backpack! I just made one for my daughter's first plane trip. The only problem I had was with this step: Press the seam allowance towards the side and top stitch around, catching the seam allowance (stitch while still turned wrong sides out. It looks a bit weird, but, trust me, it's much easier.)

    I can see now in one of the photos that the step was adding top stitching, but I just skipped that step. :)

    I also added a lining that was a bit tricky but necessary because the interfacing I used was too lightweight. It turned out great and I can't wait to stuff toys and snacks in there for the plane ride!

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  19. I wanted to let you know that you can get two backpacks out of a pillowcase. Woo-hoo. (Half the cutting, twice the backpack.)

    I didn't use interfacing because I'm horrible at applying interfacing and the fabric/pillowcase was rather firmly woven. I'll have to attach some Velcro to the opening, but other than that, it works fine without the interfacing.

    Thank you for such a great pattern!

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  20. I made this last week and it is so adorable! I wanted a lining but didn't feel like making two bags and inserting one in the other.

    Instead at the beginning I traced all of the pattern shapes on to one fabric, placed the lining and outer fabric right sides together, traced all of the pattern shapes on to the wrong side of the lining, then sewed right along the traced lines leaving a gap for turning each piece, then cliped corners and turned so that each piece of frabric ready to sew had an lining and outside fabric already. Then I just followed the rest of the instructions. This meant that I was sewing through some thicker edges but my machine could take it. (and actually they were quite thick because I put interfacing between the pieces as well but I don' think you'd have to include interfacing along with the extra lining layer).

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  21. I will definitely be giving this a try, I'll let you know how I get on!

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  22. I made one!

    http://anartnest.squarespace.com/my-craft-journal/2009/12/11/toddler-backpack.html

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  23. Made two for my grandsons for Christmas, with a few modifications. I added a pocket on the front for little treasures, and a velcro closure (covered with a big button) to keep them from gapping open. Loved the finished product - thank you!

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  24. Thank u so much!
    Made two for my son over the weekend (On the same day!) using my sister's old school uniform. I love it! (So does he...)

    Planning to make a couple more as gifts to my friends who are expecting in the near future.

    Thanks again...

    --Mastura

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  25. Thank you for this great tutorial and the opportunity to donate! I made this for my toddler for a Valentine's day giftie, and linked back to you on my blog. You can see it here:
    http://tisforturtle.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-valentines-day.html
    Wish the photos were better.

    Thanks!

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  26. I just made this cute bag last night. Instead of using interfacing I was working on my freehand quilting so I quilted an inside fabric, batting, and top fabric to make each quilted piece. The quilting adds some personality to the fabric and it adds body to the bag so it hold us nice. My daughter loves it for her treasures! I just need to find some Dora and Boots fabric for a real "back-backs"!

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  27. I just made one for my 2 year old daughter and it's perfect! I made it into a frog with button eyes and a ribbon tongue catching a button bug. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  28. Thank you so much for this tutorial! I made one for my nephew. I really appreciate your work!

    Here is the link to see my take on your tute!

    http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JDtNROy6j68/S9R3fvn-GAI/AAAAAAAAGSg/V5qJSTZfHGA/s512/IMG_3270.JPG

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  29. This is a great idea. I'll be making a larger one cos it's for a 6 yr old. My daughter is mentally handicap so I have to trust the teacher to keep up with her things, but all school year they keep misplacing her jackets and backpacks. Sometimes sending them home with the wrong kid (even though her names on them). argh! So I was thinking making a cheap and simple backpack is economically better than having to buy another one. Sometimes we get her things back, but often have to wait a week or more before they're returned... meanwhile, she would have no jacket, or as the case is now, no backpack to use. Maybe I should make one that's so ugly no one will want to keep it so it'll be returned faster. LOL

    Mary

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  30. I love it, so simple! I made 3 of those already and right now I'm finally making 2 for my own girls. The editor of the local crafty magasine saw a picture of those I made before and asked me to write an artical about making those. I know it says we can use the info anyway we want to but I would still like to ask your promisson first (or to parafrase you into your words: I'd like to keep you in the loop;)

    Please let me know as soon as you can if you are ok with it because I have to tell her on Friday (we are having a photo shoot for the other projects I made for the magasine and would include thisone as well). Thank you very much for your ideas and humorous style - I like it a lot!

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  31. Veri,

    Congrats on your local acclaim! Thanks for letting me know about your article. I wish you all the luck with it - it's very exciting!

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  32. Thank you very much for such quick response! I know it was on short notice but this things usually are;) I've been participating in this magazine before so I think it should go smoothly. I hope I can get some pdf or computer version so I can send it to you to check it out;) I don't know when they're going to publish it because they make stuff ahead of time. I'll let you know as soon as I know:)
    Thanks again it really is nice backpack:)

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  33. http://craftingmakestheheartgrowfonder.blogspot.com/2010/05/backpack.html

    I just made this backpack and embellished it as an owl. Thanks for the great tutorial! I have made your fairweather jacket, the willow wafarers (three pairs and counting!) and now the backpack...all your patterns are awesome!

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  34. Thanks! What a great pattern. I so appreciate your hard work and generosity in sharing it!
    The tut was easy to follow-even for a very beginner sewer.

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  35. I would recommend using a heavier weight of interfacing if you want the backpack to really hold its shape.
    Great pattern! Great instruction!

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  36. Thanks for the great tute! I've made one and blogged about it here: http://hideousdreadfulstinky.blogspot.com/2010/05/backpack-for-joshua-and-skirt-tease.html

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  37. I just downloaded the pattern for this backpack. Thanks so much for making this blog so easy and FUN to read! I donated a little something to your paypal, it's not much as we are a 1 income family...but I wanted to give back "something"...thanks again. Come visit my newbie blog when you get a chance:
    www.1hungryhippie.blogspot.com
    Cheers, :o)
    natalie

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  38. I made my toddler one of these today. I used yellow duck cloth so the interfacing wasn't necessary. I made his into a lion by making a mane out of orange felt and sewing it into the top and drawing a face with fabric paint. It turned out super cute and I can't wait to take it on our trip to Grandma's this weekend!

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  39. http://tennilltimes.blogspot.com/2010/07/packin-it-in.html

    Perfect for my almost-two year old. I hadn't been able to find anything in the store. He loves it, thanks!

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  40. Yay! I've been looking for a backpack pattern. I found the drawstring kind and was going to run into a ton of money purchasing the cord and the grommets! I need to make backpacks to fill with learning supplies, books, math games etc... for my new learning center. I'm a special education teacher in KS USA. Thanks so much for posting. I donated a few bucks! Wish I had a ton more! Jane

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  41. This is the CUTEST little backpack!! i made one in spiderman material and lined it with batting, with a lining. took alittle longer but well worth it.. i'm going to try to enlarge it to make one for a older toddler.. sooo easy too!! thank you for the tute!

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  42. I love that you used the flour sack find for your son's backpack.
    Great tutorial! Very easy to follow! Very kind of you to share it!

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  43. I just made this backpack and it came out great! The only thing I would do differently is make the side piece stronger so that it doesn't collapse so easily. Any suggestions on how I should go about doing this? Do I use heavier interfacing? Or do I cut out a thin plastic template and attach it to the back and front piece?

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  44. Aimee, sounds good to me :D I'd go for the heavier interfacing first, but commercial outfits often use thick cardboard in the bottoms of their bags.

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  45. I've just made the backpack for my son, he loves it.... Thanks so much for the tutorial....

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  46. The backpack looks simple and sooooo cute!!!! I will made one for my little Alan...I am so sure that he will like it.

    Cheers!!!


    Toddler Backpack Info

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  47. this looks fab, just what I need, something I can do quickly that will be great! Thank you again, so much

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  48. I have made one, thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I'm so pleased with the result.
    http://www.homegrownmama.com/2010/10/christmas-presentsssshhh.html

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  49. THANK YOU!!! this is an amazing tutorial...so easy to follow and adorable!! fun to make....thanks again!!!
    -heather

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  50. Thank you for sharing this. I made one for my niece for her first birthday.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1262759&l=15a91dfd3e&id=1619601471

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  51. Thanks for sharing this! I've been searching for a toddler backpack in a store to no avail and made a drawstring bag but wanted something better. I like that I could make it in an evening since we all know free time with a toddler is scarce. I love this bag and my daughter does too. It will work great for her to carry her things to childcare, on a plane,and so many more places :)

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  52. I made one - I made one! And, it's absolutely ADORABLE. I don't have a webpage or anything so I am going to have to figure out how to share photos, but THANK you so much for this!

    Just a side note, I've been sewing for about a year with no formal lessons. I don't know how the other people got this project done while their kids were napping. It took me almost 6 hours over a two day period to make this.

    I did add some embellishments, but I'd say they added about an hour to the total project. (I used an owl theme, so I appliqued two wings on the bottom front section; then two button eyes and a cloth beak with velcro sewn onto the underside on the top front section.) Worth all the time it took, but wanted to give a heads up to some of the other novice sewers - it may take slightly more time than you think.

    I used a pair of my husband's old work jeans, and a patchwork type print (from Walmart) my mom had used as curtains in her laundry room then gave them to me when she moved.

    The best part of all - I am a total hero in my 4 year old daughter's eyes. One backpack made, and two more to go!

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  53. Thanks for that -- the boy chose some curious george fabric at the store a while back and keeps swiping my diaper bag and purses, so he's getting a backpack for christmas. awesome tute, as always.

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  54. made two of these for my nephews for christmas and added applique initials on the top front/flap. thanks so much!

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  55. Thank you very much for this tutorial. I have just made a bag for a little 3 year old friend of mine and it is beautiful. She will love it. Such an easy to follow tutorial too. Thanks again.

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  56. I love this pattern. I made my grandbaby one for Christmas. I will be posting it on my blog soon. I would very much like to credit you for such an adorable and easy pattern. May I have permission to refer back to your blog and pattern?

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  57. FlyAwayHome,
    of course! Glad you liked the tute!

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  58. Thanks a lot becase it's so nice and you are so nice
    I speak a little english but I understand your generosity

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  59. Please HELP! I've just completed my 4th backpack and just can't seem to get the back lined up straight when I sew it on. :/

    It looks like the back piece is all lined up, but then I turn the bag inside out. Each time, the backpack straps are not on top and centered, but skewed off to the side, causing the entire packpack to hang crooked on the child.

    I know my 1 1/2 year old isn't going to care, but I really want to make some as gifts.

    What am I doing wrong? I truly believe that I am sewing the straps onto the back correctly, but that when I attach the back piece to the main unit, that's where the problems arise.

    I'd appreciate any insight on this...THANK you!

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  60. Sewing with Strings,

    When I want to center something, I usually fold it in half and then put a pin in the fold. Try this, and then pinning the straps up against the center pin (assuming it is the top of the straps that is the problem.)

    Of course, if you find that your folded back pack back is does not align, then you will know it's because it is cut out wonky.


    Let me know if this helps :_

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  61. Thanks for the tip on folding the back piece in half, I will try that tonight.

    My problem is lining up the pieces for the final sewing. Maybe this will help clear up my question...

    Piece "A" is front top/front bottom/sides all sewn together.

    Piece "B" is the back piece with the straps sewn on.

    Using time on a clock, it seems that once I sew "A" and "B" together, the top of "A" is at 12 o'clock, while the top of "B" is at say, 2 o'clock.

    How do you find the center of "A" so you know that "A" and "B" are lined up properly? Then, how should I line up "A" and "B" so they are not crooked once I sew them?

    Thanks SO much for your help!

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  62. SwS,
    If I am visualizing this correctly, then the folding A lengthwise in half will give you your center mark (with the side piece already sewn, I'm assuming). Put a pin in place on the top and bottom.

    Also find the center of B, pinning a mark on the top and bottom again.

    Align your pins and secure front and back together. Then, pin around the sides.

    That should give you your alignment.

    let me know!

    Then pin the very center of th

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  63. Thank you so much for this great tute! I am thinking of making this for my VERY first project ever (since a few people have commented this is a great beginner project) in a beginners class I am starting next week (SO excited!!!) the fabric that I would really like to use (because my boy would LOVE it!) is just a quilting cotton. Is there anyway I could use this and make it work and have enough structure (double layer, heavier interfacing...?) I just don't have the know how to know yet, and need to have my project and supplies ready to go for first class.
    Any thoughts, tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks ;) Alyssa

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  64. Thankyou! I made two of these for my sons for Christmas-same problem here, my three older girls already had backpacks and they were feeling left out.

    Mine are posted here. I liked the pattern, nice and easy, but if I did it again I would line it-I just like it better!

    http://simplelifediy.blogspot.com/2011/02/christmas-2010.html

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  65. My 3 year old insisted, yesterday, that she needed a backpack. I was going to clean today, but this looks like much more fun! Besides, the dining room is still trashed from my last project!lol

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  66. Hi! I am just coming accross your website and I gotta say I'm so excited to try many of these. The one I wanted to make first is the toddler back pack. I have downloaded the pattern but it will not print for me. Am I doing something wrong?
    Thanks and God Bless!!!

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  67. Tammi,

    You will be viewing the pattern through your own pdf program, so the printing issue would be with it. I have adobe and there is just a little print icon on the top I hit and go through my printer info there. sorry I can't help out a bit more :(

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  68. I do love a simple, clever, functional pattern. Thanks! I'll be making two for my girls upcoming birthdays!

    p.s. love the sack/fabric you used!

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  69. I'm confused that you say you only need about a 1/4 yard of fabric and interfacing. I bought 1/2 yard of interfacing thinking that I would have plenty left over, but it isn't enough to make even one. Am I missing something? Perhaps the interfacing you buy is longer? The piece they cut for me was about 20" x 20". I did buy firm interfacing because I want it to have a good structure and the medium interfacing was very thin.

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  70. Marnina,
    Sorry for the confusion. The interfacing I buy is much wider and comes on a roll like fabric. I went and pulled out my measuring tape too and upped all the measurements, just to be sure. Truly sorry for the inconveince of it all.

    That said, with any pattern (not just mine :) you should have a look at it and decide what you'll need before you head to the fabric store. There are often small glitches or misprints, especially in the big company patterns, or if you are dealing with a Canadian like me who is doing conversions, mistakes are made.

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  71. Ah, thanks for clearing that up! Once I laid out it should have been obvious that I would need more fabric and interfacing. But my spatial reasoning isn't always the best, not to mention my conversion ability. :) I'm very excited to make this.

    Do you think the extra firm interfacing will work as well as the medium? Any tips for how to sew a liner in as well?

    Thanks again for sharing the pattern! I"m hoping to make one for my 2 year old and some for gifts too.

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  72. Ohhhh!!! I so want to try this! i am new at sewing, but I'm up for a challenge :). I've been wanting to make my 23 month old daughter a backpack harness since she has entered the miss independent stage :/... I think this would be the perfect backpack for the project!

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  73. So great! I just made one for my 3 1/2 year old son. (I enlarged the pattern just a bit and it worked just fine.) Can't wait to see him try it on in the morning. Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful tutorial!

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  74. This is a great tutorial! I am not very talented when it comes to sewing, so I was surprised at how easy this was! The bag looks great and my family complements it all the time. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  75. I love this pattern! But i'm a bit confused with the printable pattern. It only gives half the backpack. So do i cut two back, front bottom and front top pieces? Sorry i feel a little stupid for not knowing the answer to this question. But if you could please help!
    Thanks.

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  76. taypdancer,
    I'm not exactly which way you are thinking about the pattern so I'll just type and hopefully it helps.

    The pattern is cut on a folded piece of fabric. Fold fabric in half and put the straight bit of the pattern along the folded edge. You will have a whole piece cut this way. (It's only half because both sides lengthwise are symmetrical and if the pattern is halfed it will fit nicely on one piece of paper.)

    Cut one of the back piece, one of the top and one of the bottom on the fronts. Then cut the same out for the interfacing.

    Don't forget about cutting the sides and straps - the pattern has the dimensions for those also.

    If you work your way through slowly it should make more sense as you go. Just don't be afraid of making mistakes along the way - they always happen as you learn, and often when we should know better too. Begin with less than precious fabric so that if you have to start again you won't waste your good stuff.

    Good luck!

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  77. Thanks! I guess i didn't think of folding the fabric in half.
    My bag is looking great so far! and I'm one uping it and adding vinyl to the inside so that it is mess proof for the toodler that gets this bag!
    thaks for the help!

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  78. I am in love with this backpack! I just made one up for my daughter and she loves it too. I blogged about it and linked your pattern on my blog:
    http://spaghetti-legs.ca/2011/05/toddler-backpack/

    Thanks again!!

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  79. I just have to sew this for my 4 year old. The poor little boy has been trying to play with a bigger backpack and it just does not fit him and makes him mad. Now he will have his own.

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  80. Hi there! So excited to use up some fabric on hand to make these for a camp-themed party favor! One question, I can't get the pdf to open, can someone please just tell me the dimensions of the back piece? (width at top & bottom and the length? - thank you!) I can put the rest together myself, I love to wing it ;)

    And I've been looking at all the links to the bags others have made - too cute! Thanks again for the tutorial!!

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  81. April, I just checked the link and it is operational on my end if you want to give it another go. The length is about 10" and the width about 8" at it's widest point. The top tapers, so whatever sort of curve you go for should be fine. I enjoy a good wing myself occasionally too. Good luck!

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  82. Thank you so much for this pattern! You are awesome! My 22 month old loves his new "batpat" and wore it (upside-down! He, of course, needed to put it on all by himself) all morning!
    Here's a link: http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad9/rachaellindsey/?action=view&current=IMG_6114.jpg

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  83. Love this. Made one following the pattern for my one-year-old nephew, and made another with 27-inch straps as a hiking backpack/purse for me! Used "Hooty Owl" home dec fabric for both. Thank you!

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  84. This is great! I'm going to make one for my little niece :-)

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  85. I just finished one for my 2 1/2 yr old son. Thanks for the pattern, I love it! He's been borrowing his older sister's Dora back pack, so he needed one of his own.

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  86. Thank you so much for this pattern! I made one for little Mond, she loves it.

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  87. Thank you for this great tutorial! I put it to use and it came out great! Take a look! :)
    Hello Kitty Toddler Backpack

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  88. Thanks so much for posting your fabulous toddler backpack pattern. It was so easy to follow and the finished product was perfect for my 2 year old granddaughter. Added a little owl applique and she loves it.

    https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R6EF5qVfMuI/TnY84a3wAAI/AAAAAAAADsc/n97WEAoA1hE/s128/IMG_7294.JPG

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  89. Hi there, thanks so much for sharing this great idea, the patterna nd tutorial were very helpful too!

    I would class myself as *just* beyond a novice and this took me about 2.5 hours this morning, i chose to use a zip rather than a flap opening.

    If you would like to see the results please click here:

    https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150379896914120&set=a.10150373054004120.405593.577139119&type=1&theater

    Thanks again, I will be adding to your busker pot and visiting again!

    Cat x

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  90. So easy, I love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  91. I made one for my daughter who will be 2 tomorrow to take to her playschool. Thank you for the pattern! Here is a photo.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/swapnae/6327516777/

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  92. Oh my goodness, I just made one of these in an adorable dinosaur fabric in primary colors. The amazing thing about this is that I have *no* sewing experience other than hemming curtains and making an envelope style pillow cover. The fact that this turned out as well as it did is a testament to what a fantastic tutorial you have provided. I can not thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and experience. My 1 1/2 year old is going to love this. Thank you so much!!!

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  93. Great tutorial! Thank you! Made one for my son:

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151213895145024&set=a.10150176761215024.431730.789430023&type=1&theater

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  94. Thank you so much! This was a wonderful tutorial. I just finished 2 backpacks, one for my son and one for my nephew. They are adorable! I can't wait to give them as Christmas gifts.

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  95. Thank you for making such an easy to follow pattern. Took me under an hour to have the pattern cut and the bag assembled.

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  96. I just wanted to say thank you for the great backpackers! I'm just learning to sew and this was easy enough for me! I just completed a "Dora" backpackers for my 20 month old. Thanks again!

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  97. This is super cute and the directions are great! Thanks for sharing.

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  98. I've finished mine..thank you for sharing!

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  99. done download the tutorial..tq for the sharing..=)

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  100. Just finished making your backpack for my granddaughter. Thank you for the great tutorial. I'm gonna post a photo to the sewcanshe flickr pool in case you want to see it.

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  101. thanks for the tutorial. i made three for my girl (i modify the pattern a bit since she wanted a zippered one). she loved it so much.

    btw, i made it a year ago and always forgot to thank you...sorry T_T

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  102. Hi! I recently made a toddler back pack using your pattern. Thanks for sharing it! I have pictures on my blog - you can check them out here: http://danandamyhess.blogspot.com/2012/04/back-packs.html

    I linked back to this page.

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  103. Thanks so much for sharing this pattern!! I made one for a gift and when my own two year old spotted it I knew I would be making another for her too! A quick sew with impressive results! Thanks again for sharing your talent!

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  104. thanks for sharing this pattern, will make 1 for my toddler ;)

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  105. Oh my goodness!! This is so cute and exactly what I was looking for for my little girl. Thank you!! I can't wait to make it!

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  106. Hi! I have only just found this pattern and absolutely love it! I will definitely be making one for my little man :) I make items for markets and also for my (very small) online handmade business - am I able to make bags from your pattern (with credit given to you and a link back to your blog, of course)?? I just know it is the perfect bag for my customers. Will wait to hear from you before I start anything. Again, thank you for the tutorial - it's brilliant!! x

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  107. I posted about 6 months ago that I'd made one of these for my son, and tonight, I just made one as a gift for his little friend's second birthday. He wears his backpack to playschool, and he just loves it. This was even easier the second time around! I guess this old dog CAN learn new tricks :)

    Thanks again for the great tutorial!!

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  108. This is so cute! I made one today, and will blog about it tomorrow on thelandlockedsailor.com

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  109. Love this little bag, and it is so easy! I just had surgery a week ago, and am still on pain meds, but was able to put this bag together without any problems! Thanks, I know I'll be making more of these!

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  110. This is SO AWESOME! Thank you for this!

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  111. How adorable! Thanks so much for this adorable tute! ^_____^

    I'm putting together my Halloween outfit for an important costume party, and I need a backpack just like this. Only thing is, I'm a little concerned it's too big! :3

    If you don't mind, what are the finished dimensions of the backpack? :o

    Thanks again for the great tutorial! Keep being awesome! :)

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  112. PERFECT! My little guy is 100% Momma's Boy, and so this requires "hair bow" when I have one, and "Paint me!" whenever I paint my nails. Pink is his favorite color, and God help us if he sees something pink AND sparkly. Since he will be out of diapers soon, I'm looking for a Big Boy Bag. I think he needs robots (possibly shiny robots) for this. Thanks for the great tutorial.

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  113. Thank you so much for posting this backpack pattern. I love it so much!! Shared it here:

    http://freshjuniper.blogspot.com/2012/09/kids-backpack-tutorials-adorable-diy.html

    with link back to your post.

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  114. I just made this for my son turned out amazing, even for a beginner like me! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  115. This is amazing, just made this for my son! Thanks for sharing and helping beginners like me succeed! :)

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  116. Thank you. I made a backpack for a friend's toddler from your tutorial. It was easy to follow the directions, and it turned out super cute.

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  117. I made this last night and I absolutely love it! The instructions are easy to follow. My blog post is: http://hannahandhorn.blogspot.com/2012/10/hannaberts-backpack.html

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  118. So cute and simple! I've got a couple recipients in mind for this holiday season.

    http://www.thesitsgirls.com/get-paid-blogging

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  119. Hi, I would love to download your pattern but the link seems to be broken..

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  120. Bike, I just tried the link on my end and it works here. If you send me your email, I can mail it directly to you. vegbee@littleprintdesigns.com

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  121. I managed to download the pattern and sew it. It turned out great. Thanks a million. I'm going to blog about it.

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  122. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. I made a backpack for my little daughter and she likes it :)
    Pics can be seen on my blog:
    http://rennhenn.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/rucksack-fur-die-kita/
    Kind regards from Germany
    Rennhenn

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  123. Thanks for the tutorial. I've made two of these so far for my toddlers - they love them. We used our son's when we traveled internationally, and he loved it. My daughter's has taken the place of a diaper bag now that she's potty trained. I wrote a post on my blog about it and linked to your tutorial. Thanks again! http://danandamyhess.blogspot.com/2014/02/birthday-backpack.html

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  124. Do i print the pattern pieces on 8x11" paper or A4?

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  125. Hello, I believe A4 is standard printer paper, which is about 8 1/2" by 11" I believe. Just regular printer paper. Hope that helps :)

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  126. I made a wee bag for my niece for starting nursery and she loves it, refuses to take it off some days :) it's such a perfect pattern for little ones! Unfortunately some of the other kids at nursery love it as much as she does and their parents want me to make a few of them, I love to help them out but I would have to charge for the bags (can't do everything in life for free) and I'd need your permission, it being your pattern. How would I go about getting your permission?!? X

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  127. Keri, go for it - totally cool with me. If you like, I do have a disclaimer on the left sidebar that says as much. I figure if you can manage to find a way to benefit yourself and the handmade community from my patterns, I certainly don't want to stand you way. Good luck and I'm glad your niece likes the backpack!

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  128. You are a fabulously talented and generous lady :) Thank you x

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  129. Perfect for what I was looking for my granddaughter. Thank you so much. Appreciate your sharing. :)

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  130. Thank you for this great tutorial! I've only been sewing for a few days, and so far have only done purses for my daughter and her friends. My little guy was feeling left out, so this little backpack was an awesome find. I don't have the correct interfacing, so, I'm just doubling up my fabric. I'm only about half way through the project, but so far it is looking great, and I know my little boy will love it.

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  131. Hello, I made one of these for my nephew in Paw Patrol fabric, he loves to put his toys in it and carry it around. But I noticed that when he wears it the flap comes up exposing the opening. I would like to know what's causing this because I plan to make more in the future. I used heavyweight sew-in interfacing so I don't think that that would be causing the problem. If this isn't fixable then I could probably use velcro but I like the clean finish it has without the stitching around the velcro.

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  132. I would just recommend putting in some velcro. The unsecured flap is great until you put some weight into it. Glad your nephew likes the backpack!

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  133. Not bad! I remember I also used this kind of fabric for my bag during high school days.
    I suggest to add more buttons haberdashery in this bag.

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  134. The link for the download is no longer working. :-( At least it isn't opening. It says "Published file is removed and is not available anymore." Any way that this can be put up again??

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  135. Yes, the online data storage I had it stored at has stopped it's business. I will see if I can find the original on my computer and put it up this weekend.

    Cheers,
    Charity

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  136. Link to pattern is fixed, y'all, thanks to Julie from Etsy who shared her file with me!

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  137. I can't seem to pull this up on my iPad. It brings up a blank page. I would love this pattern I think it would be perfect for my grandsons 2 nd birthday on Sunday. Thank you for any help. Wendy

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    Replies
    1. Do you mean the pattern specifically or the whole post?

      Delete
  138. Hi, thanks so much for the tutorial & pattern. I used quilted material I bought at a yard sale & made a backpack for my grandaughter. She is loving it! Started another one for my grandson with 2 more backpacks to go. This comes together really easy! Using velcro for the closure, may experiment with a zipper next time. Blessings!!

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  139. I just made one of these and it was a cinch. Great pattern but I changed it up a little. I stabilized the main fabric, added a lining which I also stabilized and made the side 1" wider. I also stabilized the straps and this bag turned out awesome!

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  140. I can not tell you how many times I have made this little backpack for my grandchildren (I have 24 so far). I use old jeans and add a little machine applique to the front and machine embroider their names on the flap. It is always a hit. Thank you so much!!

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  141. Thank you so much for this pattern! It turned out perfectly - easy to follow instructions - I used double sided fusible facing and lined it with fabric to complement the outside.

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  142. Thank you for this pattern - have made two already. Any ideas for making a lined version?

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  143. Hey, you have an email I can send to? email me cdbees@hotmail.com with TODDLER BACKPACK as subject line

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  144. Good for play and great for a printed bag , where the kid can get their own toys, cup and diapers from their bag.

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