Duck Toddler Backpack in Mint

Introducing... a new design!  Shall we say "hello" or "quack"?

Way back in 2012, I made a grey owl toddler backpack for Sarah's daughter.  Fast forward to 2014 and she's got another little one who needs to have a backpack like her big sister.

I love new design time!  Sarah and I discussed what she wanted and I sketched out a design for her.  First we thought a white duck would be nice but I had a feeling there wouldn't be enough definition for the eyes.  Her sister had a grey owl so we thought maybe grey.  But then Sarah asked about doing a duck in mint and I was sold!  We've had so much snow since December that the thought of doing a bright duck felt very spring-like.

My inspiration?  Our bathtub rubber ducky

Here's a pic of us figuring out what colour the duck should be.  I did actually like the grey but there was something about the mint one.   One of my other customers suggested tan feet for her pink owl toddler backpack, so I incorporated it in this layout too.

We also discussed putting a wing on the duck as per my original design.  However, in the end, it was just a cleaner look to exclude it.

We also discussed "short feet" vs "tall feet".  Hubby suggested red rubber boots (I'll have to keep that in mind for the next one!).

There are elasticized pockets on each side.

Here's a pic of the back.   I used a dark brown piping, bias tape, zipper and webbing.

The quilted bottom

I found the lining a while ago and was waiting for the right backpack to use it on.

While I like the basic brown that I normally use, there's something very happy about this yellow lining. 

I would have loved to do some outdoor pictures but there's too much snow on the grass.  I guess the front porch will have to do...

More wishful thinking for spring weather.  (Couldn't find our yellow boots but Spiderman boots will do too!)

I'm crossing my fingers that ducky helps usher us into a nice spring.   We are ready for the warmer weather!

If you would like more information on my toddler backpacks, please view my 2014 Toddler Backpack FAQs.  However, if you know how to sew and would like to tackle this project (appliques are my designs), visit Made by Rae's website to purchase a PDF copy of the toddler backpack pattern.

Happy Sewing!

Plaid Owl Toddler Backpack

Seems like I'm always making things for my shop but this backpack was a "pleasure" sew.  I made it for my cousin in-law's daughter for her 1st birthday.  I think our kids are second cousins?? 

I am such a big fan of plaid.  I hope she will be too.   She's still little so hopefully she will use it as she becomes more independent.

I made this while I was sewing Molly's Pink Owl toddler backpack.  As you can see, I used a bluer (is that a word?) dark denim.

I like that the plaid gives it the appearance of having more texture.  Don't ask me why I made it cross eyed.  I must've been sewing late at night!

I did a flat side pocket and an A initial.  I used a beige colour for the piping and webbing that I don't normally use for the shop.  

Another point to note is that I now close off the piping so that it's more seamless looking.  Previously, I followed Rae's pattern instructions but I think this looks much better. 

I'm no longer doing it the old way.  

Here's the back view

I lined it with an owl print and inserted a large flat inner pocket.  So great for keeping diapers separate from other things.  Yes Mamas, your little one can carry his or her own diapers and a small pack of wipes.  This means you can wear a normal purse again.  Yessss!!!!

I added a green bias tape to finish it up. 

And here's another shot

If you would like more information on my toddler backpacks, please view my 2014 Toddler Backpack FAQs.  However, if you know how to sew and would like to tackle this project, visit Made by Rae's website to purchase a PDF copy of the pattern.

Happy Sewing!

Yellow Train Toddler Backpack

Earlier this November, I took my last toddler backpack order for the season.  This one is for my friend Monique's nephew.  He loves yellow so she asked me to make him a yellow backpack with a train on it.  It's been a while since I made the train but I still love it.

Planning it out

 
Finished product

 

Great to wear with yellow boots

Or spidey boots

I forgot to take a pic of the lining but I used stars and stripes like this one.

Time to get ready for Christmas and Free Shipping Day Canada on Wednesday December 12!

Dinosaur Backpack for J's First Day of Junior Kindergarten

My baby started junior kindergarten last Friday.  I'm not entirely sure who was more nervous:  Joshie or me (or my husband)!   I had to remind myself that every year, there are kids who start j/k who have not been through daycare.  In fact, there were many uncomfortable faces in his class - some were kids but most were the parents.

After making so many backpacks for other people's kids, I wanted to make sure that I finished Joshie's backpack for his first day.

On  Monday, I was panicking because I was only at this phase.  Lots and lots of pieces!

Somehow, I managed to pull through and ended up finishing by Wednesday night.  He was happy to see his new backpack but ran off to play with his toys.  I suspect he thinks that all moms make backpacks for their kids. 

I ended up doing a double pocket like this garbage truck backpack that I made for Sarah's son.  Joshie chose the army green piping for the zipper, pocket trim, and piping.  I would have preferred beige for contrast but I left it up to him to decide.

I lined it with owl fabric (again his choice) and made a large inner pocket.  The pocket is great for hiding away his spare change of clothes (pants, shirt, socks, undies) and leaves the main compartment for his hat, snack cup and water bottle.

Here's another view but flipped inside out.  I bound the seams with some leftover grey bias tape.  I love the owl fabric because you have so many choices when it comes to the bias binding.

I wondered if I should write his name on his backpack but since I was pressed for time, I appliqued his initial onto the back of the pack.

On his first day, his teacher Mrs S showed him where to hang his backpack.  He was very proud that he was able to take it off the hook and back on again.  It's funny what kids will remember about their first day.  I asked him what the other kids had for snacks and he said one girl had a very tall container full of Ritz crackers.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day.  I hope little guy has a good time on Monday.  I hope I can stop worrying about it.

Readers who have been through this before, how did you cope with the first day of school?

Leslieville Tree Festival

Sunday was my first outdoor show at Leslie Grove Park in Leslieville.

Both kids caught a cold so we didn't bring them with us.  For the past couple of days, I was fretting about the weather.   Doing an outdoor show is always risky, even if you have a tent!  This is what the weather network said our day would look like.   Thundershowers!!!

But we didn't get the torrential downpour, just a couple of light sprinkles to keep us cool. Phew!   Amanda at Leaf was really nice about giving us a table with good foot traffic near the entrance at Queen/Jones.

Here are some pics from my table display.  As we all know from an earlier post, hubby is a whiz at many things.  This time, he built me two stands to display my toy leashes.  I also brought some tricycle bags, stroller bags, and Teo's brand new bulldozer backpack.

Here's an up close shot of his backpack.  I didn't tell him that I made this for him until AFTER we got back from the show.  

I missed the tree planting part of the day, but I did get to see the scary scarecrow on stilts and a performance by Zero Gravity Circus.



Overall, we had a great time!   Special thanks to hubby who didn't get to watch the Euro Cup (Go Italia!) but we made it to the TV just in time to watch the kick off.   Also special thanks to my friends and family that came by for moral support!

Tricycle Handlebar Bag - Part 2

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you a tricycle/bicycle handlebar bag that I made for Joshie. Well, since that time, little brother staked his claim on Joshie's bike by yelling "mine" very loudly. So, we brought home the other red tricycle from nonna's house. The other tricycle didn't have a bag and since Joshie is the one who picks up most of the "treasures" from our bike gang adventures, I had to make one for him asap.

The bag part of the design is the same but I used D rings instead of snaps to secure it to the tricycle.   I wanted this bag to have the flexibility of being used on other bikes.  Also, the bag sits slightly tilted on this tricycle vs the first tricycle so having the D rings helps keep it nice and secure.

This time, I appliqued the initial J using some left over jersey.  If it looks familiar, that's because I used the same fabric for my onesie extender tutorial.

Holds his stuff  nicely.  I wanted to put a snap to keep it closed but he said he didn't want one.  I should've just put it on instead of asking...

Here's our "parking lot"

The little boy bicycle gang is ready to ride!  I'm an honorary member too.  Originally, the rules were "no girls allowed!"  But, now Joshie says... "you can be part of the gang, but only if you have a bicycle".

Notice how little brother's feet are up in the air and he's not paying attention.  Sigh.

I also made another tricycle bag for a customer.   I put a removable stabilizing strap at the back of the bag and included a snap to keep things tidy.  Looking forward to seeing pictures of her son and all of his "stuff".

Happy sewing!