kids backpack - tutorial

The backpack construction is of two modified rectangles joined by a zippered gusset.  Take your main fabric and cut two rectangles of the approximate size you want your backpack to be. 

Fold them in half lengthwise and round the corners to the finished shape.





Take your lining fabric and repeat the process, using the main fabric as a guide.

If you want to applique or embellish the front of your backpack, now is the time to do so.

Cut gusset pieces out of main fabric and lining.  They must be as long as the circumference of your bag.  Cut the gussets in half, then sew together again.  I sewed two zips in, one in each end, and stitched in between.

You will have a long strip with a zip in each end.

Make shoulder straps from lining and/or main fabric.  I attached a short piece of elastic at the bottom of each strap, rather than making them adjustable.

Hold bag front and lining, WRONG sides together.  Do the same for the bag back. Pin straps to back of bag.  Baste.  Add a loop for hanging if desired.

Pin gusset to front and back and stitch.  Bind seams with contrasting binding.

Back to school

My kids went back to school yesterday for the 2012 school year.  This is what I've been doing in the last week to get ready:

Washed, ironed, and labelled all the uniforms.

Sorted out the hair elastics, clips, headbands etc.

Covered and labelled all the books, lunchboxes, and other school supplies.

 

Named and waterproofed the school schoes.

Made pencil cases and library bags.

We have also practiced our morning routine for the last week of the holidays, to help Miss 4 with her transition to school this year.

What do you do to get ready for a new school year?

Garden update

This is my eastern fence garden.  It is close to the pool and therefore we wanted a tropical outlook. 



At the end of spring we planted 18 hibiscus down the fence, ranging in colour from deep reds, through oranges, yellows, whites, pale pinks, and dark pinks.

I am having a little battle with woolly aphids [or perhaps they are mealy bugs] at the moment.  White oil is my weapon of choice, I don't want to use pesticides in the garden as we are trying to encourage as much wildlife [especially birds] as possible.

I am really looking forward to the beautiful hedge this will become.  In this subtropical climate, I expect they will be flowering most of the year.  So beautiful.

Retro Apron Tutorial

You will need:
pretty cotton fabric
contrasting fabric for ruffle
fusible interfacing

Cut main fabric rectangle 44 x 13 inches.  Fold in half lengthwise and cut a curve from one corner to the base of the opposite long side.

Cut two pieces of waistband fabric 38 x 3.5 inches.  Iron interfacing to wrong side of bands.  Sew bands together.

Cut ruffle 6.5 x 114 inches.  Join fabric as necessary.  Fold and press in half.  Gather the raw edges and pin to the bottom of the apron.

Stitch apron to ruffle, press seam allowance towards apron and topstitich on right side of apron.

Mark waist side of apron with pins at following:

1.5 <-- 3.5 <-- 1.5 <-- 4 <-- centre --> 4 --> 1.5 --> 3.5 --> 1.5    [measurements are in inches]

Pin pleats and baste.  Attach waistband. 

Cut two ties each 7 x 24 inches.  Sew and turn ties, insert into the opening of the waistband and sew closed.

If you need more explanation, please let me know.  Unfortunately I didn't take photos when I was making my apron. 

Pin cushion bins

Many years ago I purchased a pattern on ebay for a pin cushion bin, as with a new baby didn't have the mental capacity in my sleep-deprived state to work out how to make one myself.

Since then I have made several - for my Quiltitis pals, for my sewing relatives, another for myself when mine was lost in the last move.  Several months ago my aunt and mum both mentioned that their pincushion bins were worn out.  I think they use theirs for scrapbooking [as a bin only] as well as for sewing and quilting.

These two were replacements for Mum and my aunt.  Mum's is pieced from charm squares that match her sewing room and decor.  I managed to finish them by Christmas... just.

At some stage I will have to make myself another one that matches my new sewing room.  Just another project to add to my 'To Do' list!