Summer summer summer time... about the shop

Hey all,

It's been a while since I posted here or on my Facebook page.  It's been on my mind to post a note to let everyone know what's been going on over here and in the shop.

Summer finally made it here and I have both kids with me.  Joshie has a lot of energy and wants to do everything.  Teo is starting to come out of his naps and he's starting full day kindergarten in September.   I want to spend as much time with them before they are off in school.  Now that they are both getting older, they are also much more enjoyable because we talk and I get to hear their opinions.   So in the spirit of having a good time, this is what we've been doing so far...

We're having ribs because it's the summer of ribfest. 



We got those from these guys... I will never go to another vendor again.  These were made just the way I like it.

We're cooking together quite a bit.

We're climbing trees like monkeys, learning TKD, riding our bikes, and swimming a lot!
(We're swimming because someone is going to have to save me in the pool)

We're going to the museum for classes.  Kids love it there and so do I! 

I'm letting them stay up a little later some nights.  We saw our first outdoor movie (Back to the Future).  By the time we were in bed, it was past 11pm.  Shocking!

I was fortunate enough to spend a lovely weekend with a great group of ladies for our annual girls cottage weekend.  What a view! 

With everything going on around here, I didn't really feel like I could put the appropriate attention to the kids and to the shop.   Hence, I made a conscious decision to leave the shop closed until October which means there will not be any toddler backpacks for back to school this 2014.

I am going to use these next several months to assess what I would like to do with the shop, have FUN with the kiddies, and sew for the pure joy of making something with my own hands.

Take care and enjoy the nice weather!  xoxo

Frequently Asked Questions about my Josh & Teo Toddler Backpacks - 2014 Edition

Please email me directly at joshandteo@hotmail.com if you have a specific request, or to place an order.  Currently the waiting list starts as of April.
Why a Toddler Backpack?
This toddler backpack is the perfect first bag for your little one. It’s also a great birthday gift. I made a garbage truck backpack for my son when he turned 2 years old.  It was time for him to pull his own weight and carry his own toys and for me to shed my diaper bag. 

My son loves garbage trucks and was so happy to see his new backpack. This backpack is a conversation piece every time he uses it. It’s just the right size for daycare, preschool, or an overnight at the grandparents. 

Most of the bags available in stores are too big for tiny bodies.  The pediatric society does not recommend that children carry heavy items.  So the smaller the backpack, the less they carry.

What Materials do you Use?
♥ Outer: 100% cotton dark denim.  Depending on fabric supply, the colour may vary from what you see in my sample pictures. 
♥ Inner Lining: 100% cotton or 65% cotton/35% poly broadcloth
♥ Applique: 100% cotton jersey
♥ Pre-washed to minimize any shrinkage

How Many Sizes do you Offer?
At the moment, I offer one size as most of my customers have given feedback that this size works beste for their preschoolers.  The backpack is approximately 11 3/8” Tall x 10” Wide x 4 ¼” Deep.   Note:  this backpack is rounded at the top.  If you need the backpack to fit an 8.5" x 11" folder, you "might" able to do this if you fold in the sides of the folder. 

The Train Backpack is size L and the Dump Truck Backpack is size S (only available upon request)

 
Why don't you Make a School Age Backpack?
I find that the little ones are much more enjoyable to make!

What Designs do you Offer?
I specialize in transportation designs (train, bus, car, trucks, etc) but have also made animals (owl, bird, shark, dinosaur, lion, etc).  If you have a design in mind, please let me know and I will send you a sketch for your approval.

Here are some samples of backpacks I have made.

Did you Create this Pattern?
I base the construction of the backpack on a pattern designed by Rae Hoekstra of made-by-rae.com.  The applique designs are created by me.

Construction Details?
♥ Appliqued design at the front of the backpack (your choice - see samples above)
♥ FULLY LINED on the inside with no exposed seams
♥ Piping helps to hold the backpack’s shape
♥ Zipper colour matches the piping
♥ Medium interfacing is applied to give the bag shape without stiffness
♥ Quilted bottom
♥ Loop to hang bag when not in use
♥ Padded shoulder straps with real backpack connectors
♥ Versatile enough to use for several years
♥ Buttons are optional and may vary in size and colour
♥ All of my products are made in my clean, smoke-free and pet-free home based shop.
♥ Truly one of a kind

What are the Lining Options? 
The patterned prints are 100% cotton, the solid print is 65% cotton/35% polyester.

What is the Price of the Toddler Backpack? (Prices subject to change)
$85 USD – plus shipping

What Type of Add-Ons are Available?
+$5 USD for 1 outer side pocket for sunglasses or a water bottle
+$5 USD for 1 flat inner pocket
+$5 USD for 1 initial appliqued on top of the main applique or side of backpack

What is the Timeframe to Sew/Design a Toddler Backpack?
Once we have agreed on the design and details, I will send you an invoice via PayPal.  From there, it takes 5-6 weeks to build and then additional shipping time.  

How should I Care for My Backpack?
Simply wash on delicate in the cold cycle of your washing machine (use a laundry bag to protect the applique) and hang to dry. 

Where can I see More Pictures?
I blog about each bag I make and if you'd like to read about each bag, please see my blog here . Or if you just want to see pictures, please see my Flickr Page here

What are your Shop Policies?
I accept payment via PayPal.  Upon completion and verification of payment, products will be shipped to the address listed in Paypal.  All of my packages are shipped from Toronto, Canada in bubble envelopes.  A tracking number will be provided.  If you require expedited delivery, please contact me. 

Customers are responsible for any fees, taxes, or duty charges that may be incurred at customs.  All sales are final.

Thanks for stopping by and please email me at joshandteo@hotmail.com if you have any other questions!

Tan Train Toddler Backpack

Chugga chugga choo choo!   I made this Toddler Backpack for C's son.  She wanted a tan and grey combination. 

I made sure that I also used a grey label to keep with the theme.

We did a pocket on one side and an initial on the other.   

 
The bottom is quilted

Here's the back

and the top

In good company

Waiting to be shipped...  can't wait to see some pics of the little one with his backpack!  His Mom is a photographer in Pennsylvania.  Here's a link to her FB page Little Daisy Photography.

Updated:  Jan 7, 2014.  How awesome is this photo? 

Credit:  Little Daisy Photography

Until next time!

Lion Toddler Backpack for "M"

"In the jungle, the mighty jungle..."  That song has been in my head the ENTIRE time I was designing and sewing this backpack.

Two years ago, "J"s mom asked me to make her son a dump truck backpack for school.  She was really wonderful to work with and is the only Mom who was brave enough to ask for white piping and straps. We went through several iterations for the design - probably because they were on a waiting list and little "M" was deciding between an elephant and a lion.  I really like the end result.  Secretly, I was afraid he would pick the elephant. 

Here's how we started

But then M's mom was looking for a bit more "pop" so went went with a white mane instead of dark brown.

Something didn't look right and after a couple more emails, we decided on some whiskers and a mouth.

Now to finish the bag... I still needed to put an "M" somewhere on the bag but didn't think it would look right on the lion's body.  So I put it on the side of the bag.  The other side has an elasticized pocket.

The lining is the last of my green hippos

Like all of my backpacks, this one has a quilted bottom, padded straps, a hanging loop, and real backpack connectors. 

I really like this guy

He's great at going for walks at the pond (hubby was wondering why we were gone so long)

Hanging out in the old tree

Walking over the bridge

and just being silly with the Halloween decorations.

Good bye Lion!  It's been fun making you. 

Until next time,

Tractor Toddler Backpack

This little guy is heading onto a plane and flying all the way to Australia. This is the first tractor design that I have ever done and I can't wait to see little H wearing his new backpack.

The tractor on the left was my first design but H's mom and I both liked design #2 better.

A lot of thought goes into the design process - my rough sketches are just the beginning.  Once I get approval on the design, I then make the lines a little straighter, the wheels become rounder, and work towards a final design.

Then we play around with it in colour to make sure it still looks good.

Whenever it's a "first", I spend a little bit more time asking questions

Once I have approval, I begin sewing

At the final checkpoint, if Mom says "go!", then I sew the rest of the backpack together to get this:

It has two pockets on each side and a pocket on the inside.  This time the lining is a solid brown with dark brown piping.

Quilted bottom (or "bum" as my little one likes to call it)

And here's the back view

And it's a wrap!  Off to work on a new design... this time, it's an animal.