This week I made a toddler-sized backpack for Eli. It was a super fun project for me and I already have an idea for a second one I want to make. I’m kicking myself for somehow losing track of the tutorial I used to make this. I thought I had pinned it, but when I went back to find it to add the link to this post it wasn’t there. A very similar tutorial can be found here however.
I used a well loved pair of linen pants whose seam had split irrepairably for the body of the bag, and the shirt that I gave my husband the first Christmas after we had met for the straps and front pockets.
I embroidered the words “mi elefante” and added a patch with an embroidered elephant to the front.
After I had sewn the front and the back of the bag together I found that I had accidentally used the wrong side of the back fabric piece. The linen is the same on either side, but as this fabric used to be a pair of pants there was the seam from the inside of the pant leg already sewn into the material.
I decided instead of picking it apart and sewing it together again to embellish the seam with embroidery floss. I liked the effect.
I didn’t have any fabric pens that would show up on this fabric so I wrote out the words “mi elefante” on paper in the size I wanted them to be and then just embroidered it on keeping the letter shapes and sizes as close to the original as possible. There are a couple of letters that appear a little bit wonky to me, but overall I think it worked out okay.
Here you can see the two front pockets a little better. The next backpack I make will use the back pockets from these same pants. They button shut. I may end up going back in on this one to add some sort of closure for these pockets as well.
I wish I had a photo of Eli wearing this as it’s really cute on him. But he is napping, and it will be dark out by the time he wakes up. I want to get this posted today so the chair gets to be the model this time around.
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Update:
Eli woke up a bit earlier than expected, and the days seem to be getting a bit longer. He went out to play in the flower pots and I snapped a few pictures. 🙂 Here are the least blurry ones.
Thanks for reading!
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ReStitch Me said,
March 3, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I love this! I will have to make one of these for my granddaughter. The embroidery is perfect too!
folkhavenkaren said,
March 3, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Thanks! They are super fast to stitch up. I’d love to see the one you make for your granddaughter when you are done.
Caroline said,
March 4, 2012 at 1:20 am
Very cute! I like the idea of reusing old clothes as well.
Candle Wick Yarn « Folk Haven said,
March 4, 2012 at 6:45 am
[…] Comments « “mi elefante” mochila- Toddler Backpack […]
Elena said,
March 5, 2012 at 12:24 pm
That is darling! What a great idea to repurpose old pants!
~Elena
http://acasarella.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Delightful said,
March 6, 2012 at 3:21 am
This is too cute! I would love for you to stop by and Link up at my Link Party via: http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Mrs. Delightful
http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Beth @ AuntBsKitchen said,
March 7, 2012 at 12:26 am
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Karen @ Folk Haven said,
March 7, 2012 at 7:05 am
Thank you, Beth! I just visited your blog and really am hungry after reading your pancake day post. I tried to leave you a comment there but couldn’t get past the word verification.
Kammy's Korner said,
March 7, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Cute!!! Love the elephant patch!
Jill said,
March 8, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Great backpack and wonderful upcycle! I made both my girls bags like these -and they love them! Great job on yours!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Melanie said,
March 9, 2012 at 7:42 am
It looks so great on him! Excellent job! Thanks for sharing at Things I’ve Done Thursday! http://www.bearrabbitbear.com
Natasha said,
March 9, 2012 at 11:03 am
love the embroidered words
Thanks for linking up to Serenity Saturday.
Can’t wait to see what you link up tomorrow
Natasha xxx
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
Kammy's Korner said,
March 12, 2012 at 5:08 pm
going to feature this adorable back pack tonight on Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday! Feel free to grab a “featured button”. 🙂
Karen @ Folk Haven said,
March 12, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Thank you so very much!
New Patchwork Upholstery BackPack « Diannajessie said,
May 5, 2012 at 4:44 am
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