Back Packs or Book Bags?

This year, before school started, I saw a pattern for a back pack (or book bag if you prefer, I will probably interchange the terms throughout). I had longed to make book bags for my children for many a year, and Joann Fabrics helped me to fulfill that dream with their wonderful pattern. 

The pattern I went with (seeing as the pattern has three different styles to choose from...) was the Hey Arnold Bag. I feel as though this was not as thorough a tutorial as some of the others I have followed. If you have never worked with bags and zippers or never interfaced with foam before, maybe make a little something smaller first. 

This is a fun pattern, don't get me wrong. And I did learn a bit of things that I had never done before. I have never worked with webbing before these back packs. I didn't buy any new webbing, I just used some webbing that came with one of my youngest son's toys.

I feel as though this pattern would have been better with a more concise tutorial. It does have one, but it could be more informative. I had to improvise on the straps. Though it is entirely possible that I had to improvise because I didn't have enough foam interfacing at the right size. The strap sides are covered using bias tape (well... it isn't on the bias actually, seeing as there aren't any curves on the straps.) that I made myself using fabric left from my cuttings, as you can see.

Once again this is a pattern that can be changed up. I wanted to add a divider to the Star Wars bag. But with the way that the inside is constructed (which I also had to improvise) I couldn't make it work. I do want to try this again sometime, but I, at the current moment, don't have the know how to make that portion work. 

I tried to construct the inside lining as a birthable bag, rather than a drop in lining. If I would have made the lining the way they suggested it would have been very hard to keep from hand stitching the zipper panel to the inside lining. Of course, this is because I also improvised on the way I made the zipper panel. 

I constructed the zipper panels the same way I would make an inserted zipper pocket. In this way I didn't have to hand sew the lining to the zipper, but it did cause the problem that made it so I couldn't make the divider as previously mentioned. The next time I make this bag, I think I will be doing the zipper differently. You could also add pockets to the inside, though this is something I didn't do either.

As I said before, I do plan on making this back pack again, though it may be a few years. There is of course the possibility that I will make new bags for my oldest two children next year. Zack was super excited about The Child being on his bag and squealed at delight from seeing it! Kara was likewise excited to see Frozen fabric for hers.

I would recommend that if you make this pattern yourself, that you cut the sides slightly larger. You might make it a little longer for an older child. The pattern as is was perfect for my seven year old, but it may be a little small for my twelve year old son. Junior high school does constitute needing more space for books.

Thank you once again for reading through my ramblings. They aren't always helpful, I am sure, but perhaps I am at least fun to read. Lol Enjoy your stay here at Crafts By Adrie and remember to leave your comments here, or message me on Face Book. See you again next Friday!

Speaking of Diaper Bags...

This diaper bag pattern comes from Vikki Lee Bags on YouTube. It is a free tutorial and is quite thorough. Once again I have made this pattern a few times, three to be exact. Sadly I was not able to find any pictures of the second bag, but I have a fair amount for the other two.

Firstly, let me talk a little bit about the pattern itself. It is a fairly sizable tote, with two zipper pockets inserted and a large zipper panel. 

I feel the zipper panel makes it look rather professional myself. She recommends a jacket zipper because it separates. I would agree, this allows you to fully open your bag should you ever feel the need to do so. To add to the multitude of pockets there are two inside and two outside small side elasticated pockets. Perfect for bottles of any kind. I put my drinks in there because my son uses a sippy. Then there are also the large inside elasticated pockets. I use these to transport the actual diapers, but you could use yours for a myriad of other reasons. I used the camo one for a project tote. The polka dot one is currently in use as my diaper bag for my youngest son.

I found the elasticated pockets to be the hardest part of the whole pattern. Maybe it is just the fact that I personally have not worked with elastic all that much... Once you have those pockets figured out though, they make for wonderful storage! Remember, just because it is billed as a "diaper bag" doesn't mean it has to be used only and solely for a baby. I kept a whole afghan and it's pieces in the camo one. I was able to fit the entire finished afghan in it as well as the bits and bobs to work on it. Also having the separate pockets meant I could keep my hooks and scissors off of the project. No holes in my afghans unless I meant for there to be! Lol 

The first of my diaper bags was made with light canvas material and solid cotton for the lining. This bag in particular has very little structure due to using fusible fleece for the stabilizer (not that there is anything particularly wrong with that). Just that the foam I used for the second and third bags made more stable bags that stand on their own with out anything in them. This first bag can't. It still works well, but the structure of the other two bags is much better.

I warn you, however, if you have never worked with foam before this not a project I would start with (I did and I am not nearly as proud of that bag). My preference has come to be the cheaper sew in foam. I made back packs for my two oldest kids this year, both bags used the fusible foam. I feel as though the fusible kind wrinkles the fabric and doesn't stick very well. When you use the sew in kind, you have to cut back your seam allowances to reduce the bulk. I would also size my foam to the same size I intend to stabilize. In this way you are guaranteed to catch the foam in the seams and then cut down the foam after. 

Over all I have learned a lot from this pattern. The zipper panel and the elasticated pockets being something I had never done before. In fact, it may have been the first time I inserted a zipper as well! This tutorial assumes you know very little about sewing and that was quite helpful indeed! She teaches you how to make the handles and everything.

Thank you for reading more of my ramblings and I hope this helped you in what ever reason you may have found my blog. Please, enjoy the other posts and leave me comments! I want your thoughts about how I suck and what I can do to improve! Follow me here on my blog for more crafting blogs every Friday!