Okay, okay, I know it's not actually the backpack's fault, nor is it the fault of the pattern (which was awesome, by the way). My lack of patience and attention to detail are solely to blame for the mistakes that I made while making this bag.
Mistake number one: I blatantly ignored the direction about not sewing one piece of fabric close to the zipper so you don't break your needle...and I then proceeded to break my needle. And then did it again when serging the seams. And now my serger is out of commission until I find time to re-thread it and hope that that fixes the problem.
Mistake number two: After having a hell of a time sewing the front of the bag to the side loop I realized that I sewed it on inside out. And then proceeded to contemplate poking my eye out with my seam ripper.
Mistake number three: After finally completing the bag I realized that I twisted one of the straps when sewing it on. For about five
Mistake number four: Did you know that there's a right side and a wrong side to strap adjusters? Yeah, me neither. But now I do. Enough said.
Mistake number five: Perhaps I should have chosen heavier fabric or perhaps I should have interfaced the fabric that I used, but in any case, the backpack came out a little floppy.
Mistake number six: There's a reason that there's such a thing as a piping foot. I tried to sew the whole bag together using my machine's zipper foot, thinking that that would allow me to sew close enough to the piping. Now I know that this has worked terrifically for other people...but for me, not so much. You've never seen such ugly piping. In the end, I ended up going out and buying a piping foot a couple days after the backpack was finished and then I went back and re-sewed all the seams that I could. My conclusion? Piping foot = awesome.
What do six little mistakes added together make? A toddler backpack that this little toddler loves. The day I finished it she packed it up with snacks and headed out with her dad for an afternoon of fun. And that, my friends, makes it all worth it.
Pattern: Toddler Backpack by Made By Rae
Fabric: From IKEA
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| My child's latest talent? Making the hang loose sign. Yeah, I know, she's a genius. |
Such cute fabric; gah! Really need an IKEA closer to me. Turned out cute and awesome that O loves it!
ReplyDeleteWell, despite the stresses, it looks adorable! So does her dress, btw, did you knit that? That piping looks awesome with the fabric, and I love my piping foot, too, totally worth the few beans it cost.
ReplyDeleteI needed a laugh thanks! (not that I am laughing at your expense of course!) The bag turned out great!
ReplyDeleteYou persevered and got it done and it's looks great! I would have thrown in the towel, I think! And I have that fabric - don't know what to do with it, though.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out so cute despite everything! Maybe I need to get myself a piping foot. I've been using my zipper foot.
ReplyDeletei can't stop laughing. you totally crack me up... mistake two... i almost did that. i was afraid i was going to and then almost did. mistake four... i totally did this with the D rings... how do you mess up d rings... you don't sew them all in. did you realize that you have to have two for them to work? apparently i didn't.. mistake five... mine is super floppy too. it doesn't matter though, she has so much stuffed into it all of the time that you can barely tell it is floppy.
ReplyDeleteO looks so happy with it and those are the very first potato carrots i have ever seen!
My first thought was: wow, she finished it already! It looks absolutely fabulous!!!! Love the fabric and the orange piping detail. And don't worry, when I was sewing with piping using my zipper foot, well, it didn't look pretty either...
ReplyDeleteGood for you for actually doing things right after doing them wrong at first. I am very good at flinging projects far far away from me when that happens... ;-)
i love the blue with the orange. i've made something like 10 of these (to give away as gifts) and have just discovered that finishing the seams with bias tape is so much quicker and looks a lot nicer than serging it. my serger (or is it me) can't handle those tight curves. love your blog, btw. trinh--sweetcheeksdesigns.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIt came out so freaking cute. I read every hardship that you experienced and feel your pain! I nearly went all Incredible Hulk over my three failed sewing projects this weekend and have contemplated scrapping them all. You've inspired me to try to fix them! Perhaps after a little break...
ReplyDeleteAll those mistakes were worth it. It looks so perfect on O. I can imagine the frustration though! Ay ay ay!
ReplyDeleteOh what a cute little backpack (and the model is adorable too)!
ReplyDeleteHaha. I have been eyeing all of the cute toddler backpacks on the internet, but I am frankly intimidating by all of that piping/zippers/contraptions, and you're reminding me why! But ... orange and blue!! I love the final results so much!!
ReplyDeleteI made this backpack when it was in stitch magazine. Instead of serging the inner seams, I bound them with double-fold tape. It took a little longer but it was totally worth it...
ReplyDeletewell it looks awesome despite your 'mistakes'. and I had just gotten a piping foot recently, it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteseems like that's the way it goes, either things are smooth sailing or it's mistake after mistake after mistake! it came out so great, and she looks completely smitten with it! and now i need a piping foot....
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it looks suprisingly sweet and innocent for one so evil... :oD Congrats on beating it into submission in the end though.
ReplyDeleteWow, you have got some serious stick-to-it-iv-ness. It looks great and the hang loose is pretty much the coolest thing ever.
ReplyDeletep.s.- Maybe that hair style is the answer for my too short bangs :)
Please. Go get your self a place in the ETSY store and be done with it. It's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteXO
C
the bag looks fantastic! yay for not giving the hell up!
ReplyDeleteWell done for persevering. I think I would have thrown it in to the corner at around mistake number 2! The colours are just perfect - and clever little girl to find matching veg!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous. Bummer it was such a pain to make. I love your fabric choices.
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