Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Our New Flaphappy Backpack-y


With back-to-school reminders everywhere we look I'm trying to get prepared for fall since September is right around the corner (yikes!!).  As a homeschooling family we don't necessarily "need" backpacks for school, but we still use them a lot.  They're great when we're on field trips, heading to the library or doing our extracurricular classes.  And they look so cute with the bright colors & prints.  My 5yr old really digs wearing them too, so I wanted to make one just his size and simple enough in design for him to load & unload himself.  I call it the Flaphappy Backpack-y.  The name comes from the fold over flap at the top which makes it easy to open & close and has its own built-in pocket.  


I used 4 coordinated fabrics from the Organic Shipyard collection by Timeless Treasures.  I really love how boyish and super colorful the prints are.  That can be such a hard combination to find in "bigger boy" prints and being organic cotton was a huge plus too.  I used a bright blue crosshatch print for the straps, handle and decorative stripe down the middle, a busy shipyard construction print for the body and zig zag print for the pocket section on the flap.


The roomy interior is a matching polka dot and the sides are pleated together at the top so it stays closed easily, but the bottom of the bag is wide enough for filling up as needed.


I used Pellon's Décor Bond fusible stabilizer to make the backpack retain it's shape nicely and be durable enough to handle whatever we toss in it.  To make the straps comfy on his little shoulders I padded them with cotton batting and made them adjustable with buckles.


He already loves marching around with it on his back and being super colorful means it's easy to find.  No need for zippers, snaps or complicated closures means he needs less help (and we can get in and out the door a lot faster).  Fun for him and helpful for me!



Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too so click HERE to check them out!

21 comments:

  1. This is one cute backpack! My boys aren't at school yet, but they still like to cart their things around with them, this would be great for them!

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  2. Love it! I really need to make one for my son!

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  3. What a cute pack! I just finished one for my little guy, too. Can't believe he's going to school!

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  4. Cute cute cute!! Pinned this. Thanks for sharing!!

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  5. it's terrific :o)
    Do you have to wrestle it off him at bedtime?

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  6. Thanks for linking up with us! That backpack is absolutely adorable.

    Kim
    www.thesasselife.com

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  7. I love how this backpack is the perfect purportion to the little guy wearing it. I let my kids out their own packs this year. The store bought packs are huge! I also the fabrics you chose! Perfect for a boy!

    Your newest follower,
    Rikka J.
    Ricochet and Away!

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  8. Thanks for linking up to last week's Tuesday Confessional on Confessions of a SAHM. You've been featured, so stop by and grab a brag button!
    http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/09/features-from-last-weeks-tuesday.html
    ~Macy

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  9. Your young man must feel special. Thank you so much for sharing your fun backpack at Bacon Time. You are so tallented.

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  10. That is adorable! Bet he loves it! The material is just perfect for a little guy! Thanks for sharing on Fancy This Fridays last week!

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  11. Do you have a downloadable pattern for this cute backpack? I'd love to make on for my son!

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    1. No Amber, I don't have a pattern for this, but will have another backpack bag in downloadable pattern form coming soon:)

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  12. Wow, the sky is truly the limit with what can be fashioned rather than simply bought in a walmart. Will creativity ever return to this generation?

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    1. The satisfaction of making it yourself and putting your own personal touch to things definitely outweighs the convenience of mass produced stuff.

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  13. This is fantastic! I would love to purchase a pattern of this if you were willing to do one! Obviously in your copious amounts of free time ;)

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  14. To make the straps comfy on his little shoulders I padded them with cotton batting and made them adjustable with buckles.

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    Replies
    1. Batting is also a great option if you want more padding than fusible fleece. This version I did with adjustable buckles and the one in my tutorial had sliders. Both work well. Enjoy the new backpack!

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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