Friday Night Sew-In – Strawberry Rucksack

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One of the disadvantages of having a mother that sews is that when you need something, her response is “I’ll make it” and not “Grab your coat, we’re heading to the shops”. When my eldest started dropping hints that all her friends had big home bags for school, not the A4 size standard school book bags, I put it on my making list. When she started pointing out her friends’ bags, I really did notice. I even chose a pattern and fabric in preparation, but my list is long.

Finally her request skidded to the top of my list when she explained that she needed to store her bike helmet in her bag at school, rather than teetering on her coat hook. Potentially crashing to the floor and being used as football practise. OK. That got my attention.

I’ve been thinking about joining in the Friday night Sew-In for some time. It sounds a neat idea.  Choose your sewing project, sit down on Friday night and make it. Then next day share what you made. A perfect evening for making the bag. I’d found the simple rucksack pattern a year ago. I find I am attracted to simple patterns and recipes, but then alter them into something much more involved. A simple recipe has all sorts of extra ingredients added, which if listed would probably have put me off making the recipe in the first place. Same with simple sewing patterns.

I used Cath Kidston strawberry fabric. I added Timtex stiffener into the straps for strength and comfort. I added a lining in the bag, again for strength. My daughter loves reading and her bag is bound to include one weighty tome as well as her school books. I added interest with fancy machine stitches.

I still have the drawstring to add and a button for the flap, but otherwise it is finished. This bag is described as a mini rucksack. Not sure if it is someone’s idea of a joke, but this bag is not mini. It’s large for my nine year old, but she needs the space. Probably not the best choice of colour for school. Too light. She can use it for now and I will make her another. I found the base of it fiddley, but it will be easier now that I’ve made this one.The straps are a bit long for her, as well.

It will be a great bag for the summer. When the sun is out. Not overcast like today. This will be the perfect day sack. Perfect for me maybe……….

20 comments

    1. Fortunately, my daughter is a light packer. She will need the room for her helmet at the other end, so I know it will not be over filled. She’s not keen on carrying more than she wants to carry. A wise girl!

    1. I’m not sure that I could start and finish anything in one evening if I was knitting. How long would it take to knit, if I only did it on a Friday. No, this is not a concept that works for knitting! 😀

    1. I’m almost glad that I’ve got to make another one for her. I can have this one back. Hope you enjoy your weekend too! 🙂

  6. oh cheryl i love your day sack ! your girl must be so pleased with her crafty mama.
    giggles at what you wrote ** one of the drawbacks with a irish/australian (cheapppp) husband is everything you see and like he holds his wallet and says ” but you could make that, couldnt you??” :))

    1. I think reality hit a long time ago with my daughter. She knows any requests will take a while to resurface. Ocassionally they happen overnight, but only at a blue moon!

  9. Great job. The bag looks terrific. My son has also requested a new school bag…but he wants a messenger bag…and he is almost 13, so it might be a tricky one for me. I hope I am up to the challenge. Thanks for the inspiration.

    1. I think the messenger bag patterns should be straight forward. Choosing the right fabric and end look might be more challenging, in order to get it signed off by most teenagers. Little ones are so much easier to please!

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