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Little Collector Backpack Pattern Release

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little collector's backpackone

Introducing the next Swoodson Says pattern, the Little Collector Backpack! If you have kids, you probably have dirt and sand in your washer/dryer right now (or is it just me?). We spend a ton of time outdoors and my son lives to collect treasures like pinecones, sticks, rocks, and leaves. Unfortunately he also tends to bring home the surrounding mud, sand, and dirt that they were resting on, which ends up making a huge mess in my house.

Instead of sewing all his pockets shut, I decided to make him a fun little backpack that was kid-sized and kid-friendly. It has a velcro & drawstring closure, and an envelope-style pocket inside – both are easy for toddler sized hands to manipulate. The pocket and the bag bottom are both made of mesh, so all the dirt and sand can just fall through to the ground!

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one thimble magazine

The bag pattern was originally released through One Thimble E-Magazine – an online sewing magazine! It is full of PDF patterns, articles, and tutorials; the editor Jen does an amazing job. It is now up for sale in my own pattern shop by itself!

river backpack sewing pattern

The sample I sewed up was beautifully photographed by Becca Duval, who blogs at Free Notion. Both fabrics are by Alison Cole from the What A Gem Collection and I used Fabric.com mesh. The pattern calls for cotton rope (polyester doesn’t knot as easily and I don’t like how it feels!) – I found mine at Hancock Fabric but one of my testers, Dana, brilliantly bought a clothesline and used it for a super cheap substitute.

Little Collector Backpack Beach

The pattern calls for strap adjusters, which makes this a bag that can easily go from toddler hood through elementary school. I can even wear it myself with the straps at their longest!

mesh bottom bag

The top panel makes a great spot for embroidery, applique, or other personalization. It’s lined, with all seams finished. I used PUL, a waterproof fabric, on the inside of mine so it would be great to let clothes dry off on the go!

Little collector's backpack

You can skip the mesh and make a traditional backpack as well, I love the bright colors of this summery version.

pirate backpack

Sometimes it’s hard to find patterns to use up woven fabrics for boys, but this one features larger prints really well.

mesh pocket

 The pocket is envelope style, so no zipper to mess with when you’re sewing or for kids to get frustrated with. The finished bag is about 12″ high – it can definitely hold lots of stick, rocks, flowers, books, or stuffed animals!
 
Time to share tester photos! The Little Collector Backpack is so versatile – I love the different versions my testers sewed up!

little girls backpack

First up is Kate, she blogs at The Fairy Dustbin and I’ve “known” her online for a while, she always leaves sweet comments and sews lots of cute stuff for her self and her kids. She sewed up a bag for her daughter, and I love the fabric combination!

little bag sewing pattern

She had her 9 year old son try it on too, so you can see how it fits for a long time!

beach backpack sewing pattern

Next up is Linette from Fluffy Rainbow Designs, and she sewed up a super cute version with geeky fabric that I love.

girls backpack sewing pattern

The flap is such a fun spot for applique – one of my favorite scrap busters!

little girl's backpack sewing pattern

Kimberlee has the most adorable daughter – she runs the Harper Creek Boutique shop and blogs too.

little collector backpack

She used snaps instead of traditional strap adjusters – a super easy swap. I’m all for using what you have around; buttonholes can be subbed in for the grommets too!

little boy's backpack sewing pattern
Leigh-Ann is a super talented sewist with the most handsome son; she blogs at The Little Sewing Shop.
beach backpack

She color blocked and added some fun personalization; her son was using it at lifeguarding camp which is perfect!

superhero backpack
Dana gave awesome feedback; she is a part of the fun Facebook group, Sew for Boys. I love this superhero version she made!
backpack inside
This is a great angle – it really opens up wide!
 
Shop now and get the pattern so you can sew a bag for your own Little Collector!
Little Collector's Backpack - use this PDF sewing pattern to sew a kid's backpack. It has adjustable straps, easy to open closures, and a mesh bottom so all the dirt and sand stays on the ground!

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Sara

Friday 21st of August 2015

Love this! It's a super cute pattern Stephanie!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 24th of August 2015

Thank you Sara!

Vicky myers

Monday 17th of August 2015

What a great idea - I have a collecting child too:) love seeing patterns sewn up with different fabrics.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 18th of August 2015

I love the collecting and the imagination... until it all ends up in my washing machine :)

Amy

Monday 17th of August 2015

Such a cute backpack. Love the design. Congratulations on the publication

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 17th of August 2015

Thanks so much Amy!

Meriel A

Sunday 16th of August 2015

It's an amazing pattern, Stephanie! Natalie has put it an order - it's going to be perfect for all those little "guys" and things she likes to take to the sandbox with her, I hate bringing sand in the house! Congrats :D

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 16th of August 2015

Aww thanks Meriel! My kiddo is a big fan of the sandbox too - my laundry machine not so much :)

Jen Kennedy

Friday 14th of August 2015

I LOVE this pattern so much. Thankyou so much for being part of Issue 8!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 16th of August 2015

Thanks for running such a great magazine Jen!

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