Kindergarten Backpack

Youngest son had his first day of kindergarten today. Sniff, sniff. He needed a backpack large enough to accomodate the oversized homework folder the school provides. I decided to make him a string bag. I had visions of something a bit grander (still a string bag, though.) I just didn't have the time. This should be enough for his needs, a half-day program.

I made it from PUL leftover from my diaper-making days. It worked wonderfully!


I added an inside pocket for the folder. It is made from a cotton train print I've been stashing for awhile. You can just barely see the yellow name label I made. He could read his name, so that's a good start!


I cut the front panel extra wide and gathered in the fullness to enable the bag to easily hold more . I made 3/8" "strings" for the straps from the same cotton as the inside pocket.


I made this last night after said kindergartener was put to bed. He was so excited with it when he got up! The bus driver even commented about it when she dropped him off after his first day. He's just told me he told all his teachers about his "mommy-made bag". Got to love it!!

Messenger Bag

It's getting close to the beginning of school. The first day here is September 8th, due to Labor Day falling so late. But the last day is June 18th, barring no unforeseen closures for bad weather.

I've been busy getting things ready for the kids for that first day. I've completed an lunch bag and have three more to do. I hope to get pictures up for that soon. My latest effort was a Messenger bag for DD who will be entering the middle school. She decided she would rather have a messenger-style bag than a backpack. I had made her a great backpack last year and it lasted well. The fabric wore out as the laminated covering pulled off the cotton in a lot of places. The bag is still ok to use, just not waterproof, and looks a bit ratty like it has been put through its paces. Then again, it was!

So without any further rambling, here it is! I am quite thrilled with the results:

That's not a great picture, but it's a great bag! It's a little heavy, even empty, but DD loves it. It's a self-made pattern created with the inspiration of other bags, both DIY and ready-made, and our own ideas. I used every bit of the one yard of red heavy duty fabric (Cordura???) that Mom picked up at her favorite fabric place. Thanks, Mom!!! The bottom is a piece of heavy vinyl to make sure it survives the floors. I lined it with quilting cotton, a piece of pink/red/purple fairies that has been languishing way too long in my stash. It came from Fabric.com at least 5 years ago. I used a canvas inner layer just for the main pocket. I also used the red fabric for the bottom of the main pocket. I figured a little more durability there would be good!

Here's close-up pictures of all the details:

Back folder pocket

Side water bottle pocket, pleated bottom & elastic top

Side pocket trimmed with fairies

Shoulder cushion, nice and comfy

Front folder pocket & organizer protector

Organizers & pockets
Adjustable book pocket

Key loop, hidden in zippered pocket

Pencil and pad pocket

Top zipper closure

Main pocket

There is a large zippered pocket on the flap. With it's white zipper, it can be seen in the first picture. If she doesn't want to carry it over her shoulder, I included a handle. I had a nice rubber-type handle that I salvaged from an old bag and re-used it here.

Now I'm off to make a matching zippered pencil bag for her desk. There's not a lot of room, so pencil boxes are not allowed.

Thanks for looking!