Kindergarten Backpacks

O.K. so I’m a little late with this post but better late than never right?  My girls started Kindergarten this fall and I wanted to make up a couple of backpacks for them. 

The fabric is Hoos In the Forest by Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake Designs.

I used a combination of Made by Rae’s Toddler Backpack pattern and the Oliver & S backpack pattern found in the book Little Things to Sew. ( Have I mentioned that I am so loving that book?!  Check my previous post about the Little Red Riding Hood pattern from Little Things to Sew.)

The Made by Rae pattern includes instructions for making the bag a bit larger for older children and that is what I did.  I think the size is perfect.  My girls are 6 but big for their age and the bags fit nicely.  Their school also uses folders for home school communications and these fit well in the backpack.
I liked the piping detail in the Made by Rae pattern so I used that for the exterior.



I wanted the interior to be lined so I followed the instructions in Little Things to Sew.  I am so happy that I added a lining to the bag it just makes it look more finished.  (FYI, the last step in sewing the lining calls for hand stitching near the zipper and I am not a big fan of hand stitching so I just pinned and topstitched near the zipper and it worked out fine.)

I also added an exterior pocket,

an interior pocket,

and a pocket with a vinyl window to put their name, address and phone number.

I also wanted to be able to tell them apart so I added a little initial keychain.

I love the finished bags and highly recommend both of these patterns.  I think that they are probably best suited for an advanced beginner or intermediate sewist.  The instructions are easy to follow but I wouldn’t attempt this as a first sewing project.

Happy Sewing!