Little Collector Backpack Pattern Release

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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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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!

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.

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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