Backpack, Backpack!

(Yes, that was supposed to be sung to the tune of the backpack song from Dora the Explorer)

So now that I’m allowed to talk about it – my brother is getting married!!! In August! In UTAH! So if you’ve done the math, why yes, I will be flying with a toddler and a newborn across the country for my brother’s wedding weekend. I’m having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. However, we will be flying on the same flight as the rest of my family, and John will be able to take a day off to fly with us as well, so I will have plenty of help. AND both flights are non-stop. Hallelujah!

But in preparation for our trip, I made Nathan a little toddler backpack. I actually found a tutorial HERE through pinterest months ago, wanting to make one for him at some point, but this was the perfect excuse to get one done. I’m scrambling to finish all my project to-dos by the end of June, because really, July doesn’t really exist in terms of getting anything done. 

But anyway, I actually sort of ended up making the backpack twice. The first time I followed the pattern pretty closely, adding a few things so that it would be a good backpack to grow into. But I realized there were a few things about the pattern that I didn’t really like (like the placement of the straps on the back) and I totally messed up the side pockets that I had added. I also made the first one without stiff interfacing, and I decided I wanted something a little sturdier that would keep its shape.

So here’s my second attempt. I was able to pick out and reuse the lining, which saved me a lot of time the 2nd time around and I really loved the fabric that I had used, so I really wanted to use it for the final result. Ta-da!

If you went to the tutorial site, you’ll notice I added the front zippered pocket – it’s good to have extra space for extra cars and trains. ;)
I also added elastic pockets on both sides to hold sippy cups or water bottles. (on my first attempt, the elastic was not anchored well enough so the first time I stretched them out to put something in them, the elastic pulled free. And the pocket was not longer elastic. Boo)

On the back I put the straps up at the top rather than 4” down like the original pattern called for. When Nathan wore the first one, he had lots of excess backpack up behind his head and didn’t really like that as much. I also switched the way the straps fed into the strap adjusters so that the excess strap came out the bottom – which is how a normal backpack functions. I checked using mine. ;)

It’s fully lined and has one more little pocket on the inside!

I’m really glad I did it over again with the stiffer interfacing. I love the way it keeps its shape so much better and it’s easier to get things in and out of it that way. We’ve been taking it to church to carry his books and toys and it’s been awesome so far. So excited for him to have a little backpack when we travel!