quirky granola girl: cutest. backpack. ever.

I'm not a person that likes to brag or likes a lot of attention in real life. I'm a shy homebody and I'm usually pretty critical of the things I make. As a blogger I love comments (of course) but it feels insincere to say, "Hey! Look at this cool thing I made!" But, that is what craft blogging is all about.

Well, today I'm having no trouble at all with finding the right way to say this.

You really do need to look at this cool thing I made. Introducing the cutest. backpack. ever.

The backpack pattern comes from the book, Oliver + S Little Things to Sew by Liesel Gibson.

Henry loves the Octonauts, so I made a few adjustments to the pattern to make the penguin look more like Peso. I added the white face piece, I shortened the feet, wings and beak and I appliqued the eyes on and embroidered the white dots on the eyes.

I love the DS Quilts plaid for the lining. The zipper panel directions were explicit. It seemed like they had duplicate steps, but I followed every one and they helped me get a great result.

I admit that I keep putting this backpack on Henry and then telling him to run into the other room just so I can get a good view of the penguin on his back.

This may be one of the most satisfying craft projects ever.

34 comments:

SarahApril 18, 2012 at 11:05 AM
this is great!!!! it really is just as great as you say it is!
verykerryberryApril 18, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Sweet! that really is a lovely little boy bag!
AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Don't you love their patterns! If you can follow directions you can make anything they do!
This is beyond adorable and cute and right up there with over the top awesome!!!
I love the changes you made too. You couldn't have picked more perfect fabric!!
Little Bluebell (Adrianne)April 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Ack! This is so so cute!! Well done Mama!!! : )
AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 11:53 AM
It's supercute! You can certainly be proud of that!!
Erin @ Why Not Sew? QuiltsApril 18, 2012 at 11:59 AM
it's adorable, Melinda! I'm sure Henry loves it!
CassieApril 18, 2012 at 12:07 PM
true story. that is stinking adorable. I think I totally want one :)
audreypawdreyApril 18, 2012 at 12:13 PM
It IS the cutest backpack ever! My daughter has two backpacks, doesn't need another one (why does she have 2 at age 2?!!), but I am totally going to have to make her one now. Love it!
ToniApril 18, 2012 at 12:30 PM
You have every right to brag about this one! So cute! I have that book and have wanted to make that backpack for one of my kids but just haven't yet. I totally need to now!
AnnaApril 18, 2012 at 12:57 PM
i love love it melinda! I bet henry is more than thrilled to carry it around. and what a perfect lining fabric too. beautiful job. :)
EmilyApril 18, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Honk your horn SISTA!!! This is sooooooo awesome! I would be doing the happy dance all year if I made this!!!!
GinetteApril 18, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Adorable!!
Amy FriendApril 18, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Perfect in everyway!!
Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin)April 18, 2012 at 5:24 PM
That is ***ADORABLE***!!!!!! Oh my goodness. And I own that book (have only made the bucket hat -- 6 times over). I may need to make one of these, if I can just find the time. Oy. Your version is SUPER. Love it.
SusanApril 18, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Yep, cutest ever for sure! Nicely done!
piecemealquiltsApril 18, 2012 at 7:32 PM
You're right, this is adorable!
Rebecca April 18, 2012 at 7:42 PM
You are so right. Cutest backpack eva!
Basildon KitchensApril 18, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Soooo Cute! Brag away! It is the most adorable back pack ever.
Suz JApril 18, 2012 at 11:24 PM
I don't know whether I like the lining fabric best (it's like a secret surprise), or the measuring tape fabric!! Do you ever feel like making grown up versions of certain things... you could have a matching family set!
VanesaApril 19, 2012 at 12:39 AM
Ooh love it! Seeing this just makes me smile.
Angela NashApril 19, 2012 at 7:00 AM
super super cute!
Lucy | Charm About YouApril 19, 2012 at 10:48 AM
utterly adorable! You chose fantastic fabrics. Penguins are my favourite :)
NicoleApril 19, 2012 at 10:03 PM
I love that thing! So great.
DebbieApril 19, 2012 at 11:15 PM
That is THE cutest!!
melissaApril 20, 2012 at 9:24 AM
you have reached the pinnacle of cuteness!
this is the cutest thing i've ever seen.
you are amazing!!
CarmenApril 20, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Absolutely adorable! I bet Henry loves it. :)
NicApril 20, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Very, very cute - I love it!
AnonymousApril 21, 2012 at 7:48 PM
Well, I'll say. That really is stinkin cute! I like the suggestion to make a matchy-match one for you or (and?) Ben! I mean, maybe not penguins exactly, but a different kind of bag in the same fabrics?? Question about the patttern--what kind of fabric did it call for? How do you find the stiffness? i.e. is it sturdy enough? And in the same vein, where did you find a sturdy zipper?
felicityApril 23, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Oh Mah GAH! totally adorable! Nicely done!!
VanessaMay 4, 2012 at 8:13 PM
This is absolutely the cutest penguin backpack I have ever seen! Seriously! You did an AMAZING job with the fabrics and everything! Fabulous job!
GuavaMay 6, 2012 at 11:28 AM
What a lovely backpack! Penguins are my all time favourite.
I have put your lovely work on my pinterest board and linked your blog so more people can discover your cute creation!
AlliMay 15, 2012 at 11:24 AM
This IS the cutest backpack ever! The things you added are perfect! :)
HeatherMay 15, 2012 at 7:57 PM
I am loving your blog, you make great stuff!, this is the cutest backpack ever I agree!
Sandra :)September 20, 2012 at 5:57 PM
I'm trying to persuade a friend to do a penguin backpack mini "sewalong" with me for fun - when I google image searched the project, your photo jumped out at me! I had planned on making the backpack for a great nephew for Christmas, and yours is - well - just adorable, lol!

You are awesome! Thanks for leaving a comment :)