A Backpack for Bug

My sweet girl started school this week, she is in the Pre-K program. Naturally she needed a Mama Made backpack!

A few months back she accompanied me to the LQS when I needed to pick up some fabric for a project. Every now and then she gets an idea in her head that she needs some fabric too, and I like to oblige her when I can. This particular time she picked out a gorgeous floral from Kate Spain's Honey Honey, and I grabbed a coordinating solid with thoughts of making her a skirt with the fabrics. 

Well, the skirt didn't happen. When it came time to make the backpack I immediately thought of those fabrics and set to work.

She had quite a bit of other input as well. She wanted yellow fabric too and, thanks to a mistake in ordering one day, I happened to have 4 yards of a yellow solid sitting on my shelf. Naturally I didn't take a picture of the inside, but the yellow became the lining.

She picked the font for her name, and the colors for the birds and flowers and leaves in the embroidery design.

I used Angela's tutorial from the Sliced competition on Moda Bake Shop for the backpack, with some minor changes. If I do it again, I will change the position of the straps, as it sits a little awkwardly on her back since they come out of the back instead of out of the top. 

I am happy to say that she loves the backpack! I didn't take into account the rounded corners when I was checking to make sure it would fit a standard folder though and the corners stick out.

I showed it to her and asked her if she could zip it and she said "Sure! I just do this, and then do this, and then zip it and TADA!" She just pushed those corners in and acted like it was no big deal at all. Which was a huge relief because I was prepared to start all over!

While on the subject of bags, I managed to finish the hip pouch that I have been promising to make my niece since March. I put this one together from scratch, just using the ol' noggin'. It is based on the one she currently uses, with some small changes that she requested.

It was made using Riley Blake's new neons, boy are they bright! They're perfectly Shaley though and I'm sure she'll love them!

This is the pouch that I mentioned writing a possible tutorial for, so give me a shout if you're interested. This is also one of my Finish-A-Long items! One down, many more to go!

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And some quick shop news:

I'm still running the super Flash Sale in the big cartel store. Get all 5 patterns for one low price.

http://juliepickles.bigcartel.com/product/flashsale-all-5-patterns-one-low-price

Be sure to like my Facebook page to stay up to date, I'm going to be running a fun little giveaway and a game or two here in the very near future!

https://www.facebook.com/juliepicklesdesigns

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Flash Sale!!

Because I'm in a good mood

All 5 patterns, one low price.

http://juliepickles.bigcartel.com/product/flashsale-all-5-patterns-one-low-price

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3...

You probably think the title of this post meant I was testing to see if blogger still worked, right? Because it's been like 3 weeks since my last post. Tsk, tsk Julie!

Nope, I've been testing patterns! I have the need for pattern testers myself quite often, so I like to test for others when I get the chance, both to give back as well as to put myself in the shoes of a tester. Sometimes, when I get feedback on a pattern, I take the criticism to heart and let myself get discouraged or upset. I know in my head I shouldn't because my testers are doing what I asked of them, but having somebody critique your work can be difficult. By being a tester myself I can get a feel of what it's like for them and it helps me to know that they truly are just doing what I asked of them and are helping me fine tune my instructions. 

A couple of months ago I tested an embroidery design for a friend. She was working on an applique of Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony and I jumped at the chance to make something for my main girl.  

Let me tell you, she does not like to take off this shirt. She doesn't even watch My Little Pony, but she sure does love this t-shirt.

Another embroidery design I tested was for a finger puppet. There is a designer who does some really cool ones, including Sesame Street, Despicable Me minions, Disney Princesses and Marvel/DC Superheroes. She asked for a tester for Papa Smurf and I was on it. I grew up with the Smurfs and loved them.

I'm hoping to get my hands on more designs from this particular designer soon and add some puppet sets to my etsy store. 

Last, but not least, I tested a sewing pattern. Yes, an actual sewing pattern! I am still playing with fabric too here. This pattern was for the new Make Me Up Before You Go Go pouch by Erin from Dog Under My Desk. Yes, I had the song stuck in my head the entire time I made this thing. 

The pouch features a zippered top

A zippered pocket

And regular pockets

Getting the binding on the sides here was a little fiddly. I actually ended up handsewing it in place on the flip side after machine sewing it down first. The instructions tell you to machine sew both, and I was able to get it under the machine and do it, but I didn't like how it looked because I totally suck at machine sewing binding. That's why I always hand sew it on my quilts! People tell me all the time "Julie, you're going to think I'm a cheater because I machine sew my binding". No, I don't think you cheat, I just think you do it better than I do!

It did take some work to get the binding on the top too, but only because the pouch itself kept wanting to get in my way. It's really a great pattern though and it opens up nice and wide so you can see what's in it. That's something I always look for in a bag or pouch. Erin is fine tuning the pattern now, she'll have it available soon!

And speaking of my etsy store...I've been slowly adding more to it. You can now find all of my patterns and the templates there. There is a coupon code listed in the patterns, save 10% when you buy two. I have a bunch of fun stuff for kids that I'll be adding very soon, should be within the next week.  I've also listed some of my quilts for sale. You can find some of my pattern cover quilts in the shop and the Prince Charming single wedding ring quilt I finished up at the beginning of the year. They've all been hanging out at the LQS since they finished up in the guild show at the end of May. Sadly, I just don't have room for them all. 

If you should feel so inclined to keep up with me and my etsy store, I do have a Facebook page for it finally and you can find it here:

https://www.facebook.com/juliepicklesdesigns

As always, you can find the etsy store over on the sidebar or by clicking on the tab at the top of the page. 

I have lots going on, even if I'm a bit quiet in this space. Be back soon to share some more!