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How I Spent My Summer (of JoAnn)

Remember when Labor Day was the unofficial end of the summer?  Now with kids going back to school in a couple of weeks (or maybe already in school wherever you are) it feels like it’s already over.  It was a very busy summer and weather-wise not the greatest, but we did have lots of little enjoyable moments and there’s still time to soak up what’s left.  This week I have a few posts planned as sort of a summer wrap up.  First up is a project I did as part of the Summer of JoAnn campaign for JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. 

project photo via joann.com

With as little blogging as actually I did this summer, you can be sure I still spent a lot of time crafting.  JoAnn Fabrics’ Cape Discovery craft catalog was a fun way to get some inspiration.  I didn’t realize JoAnn has so many free projects on their site.  When you go to joann.com the top of the page has three categories: Shopping, Projects, and Classes.  I had only ever been to the Shopping section (default) so I was really surprised with all of the fun projects they have. 

I crocheted a couple of the amigurumi patterns this summer and I posted updates on Instagram, but today’s focus is on this cute little drawstring backpack pattern.

No, Bean’s name doesn’t start with an M.  I made this with a friend in mind so the initial is meant for someone else, hehe. 

The full instructions are at the link above, but I took a few pictures during the process to maybe help clarify the steps.  I also did some minor things differently, but that’s what’s great about crafting: you can use project instructions as inspiration and make it your own way from there.

Step two of the instructions had me a little confused when reading it until I actually did the step.  So I took this picture of what I think the instructions meant for all of those visual learners out there, hehe.

Once I had all my pieces cut out I realized I didn’t have any wonder under on hand so I used my old standby method.  Elmer’s School Glue is really just starch so it works great as a temporary way to hold a seam or applique when sewing.  It washes away in the laundry so I use those little purple tubes all the time.  So far I haven’t had the purple dye anything a weird color, but I do always worry about that so maybe keep an eye on things or just get the regular white school glue. 

All I did is spread some school glue on the back of the letter I wanted to applique and then placed it on the fabric where I wanted it.  Then I pressed (with no steam) the letter to the bag for a few seconds to let the glue dry.  Once it was dry I machine appliqued the letter to the bag just as I would have if I had used wonder under.

Step four it wasn’t clear that you should cut the 3×3 fabric square on the diagonal and use those pieces for the two sides, so again here is a picture of what I did and how I interpreted the step.  It worked great this way.

Once I attached the grommets, I decided they would look better (and a little girlier) if I embroidered around the edges.  So I did using some DMC thread.  I think it makes the bag a little sweeter.

In the interest of being a girly bag, I decided to use cute ribbon instead of the cording recommended.  I think it turned out so adorable. 

This little backpack came together so quickly and with so few supplies, that it would make a great gift bag for any little kid.  You could make a bunch of these in one night for party favors or even a fun pajama bag for a sleepover.  I’m sending this one off to a little girl as part of a swap party I participated in (more on that later) and I think it’ll be very well received.

If you’re interested in being a JoAnn Preferred Customer you can click here and you’ll get a 20% off coupon just for signing up.  I recommend at least checking out some of their projects.  I know when Bean is a little older it’ll be a great place to go for ideas for projects we can do together.

JoAnn Fabrics and Craft Stores sent me a gift card for the supplies in this project, but I was not otherwise compensated.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE.

As usual, linking up to:

I Heart Nap Time The Chicken Chick Photobucket  photo blogbutton_zpsb1fa0f6d.jpg Happy Hour Projects Photobucket

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sparkling

    August 12, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    So glad you clarified the M. I kept hearing her say M in my head but didn't think she was so obsessed with it that you made a bag with it for her!

    Reply
  2. amy mayen

    August 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    I never heard the glue trick before, I learn something new everyday 🙂 I also like the covered grommets…they look nice & I bet they stay in better. My grommets don't always stay put. Thanks for all the tricks today!

    I'm glad you had a great summer!

    Reply
  3. Shaffer Sisters

    August 15, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    I love elmers glue. I have used that trick for Tie shirts, I attached ribbon to the tie shape with the glue stick then zig zag over the top of the ribbon. Then glue stick to attach the decorated tie to the t-shirt.

    Reply
  4. Shaffer Sisters

    August 15, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    This is really cute by the way. I love the floss around the grommets.

    Reply

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callajaire

I'm really excited about this one! The Verdant Wi I'm really excited about this one!  The Verdant Windbreaker is ready for testing!  This 90's-esque 1/4 zip windbreaker has options for a fully lined or basic unlined pullover.  Views A and B have three zippered pockets, including the center pocket which can work as a stuff sack for the windbreaker like all the cool kids had back in the 1900s 😆  Views C and D are more of a pullover sweatshirt/fleece style without the extra bells and whistles, but all of the vibes.
My outerwear is sized 12m to 16 years and the size chart is in the form below. 
Testing will begin on Monday, the 11th of September and will end on Saturday, the 23rd of September, with a fit test (muslin or just the lining) due by Saturday, the 16th of September. 
Fill out this form to apply (in insta profile):
https://forms.gle/YnfYmKG6WHY4JgEL7
School started for this girl today! She’s excit School started for this girl today!  She’s excited to finally be going five mornings a week like her big sister 💕💕
More info on the new backpack. 💕💕 She asked More info on the new backpack. 💕💕
She asked for plain black this year, so we compromised with some of the black and white crosshatch I used for the lining sprinkled around the outside. 😍😍

The black is Cuddle C3 minky from Shannon Fabrics and it’s so soft. I used sf101 interfacing to keep the pieces from stretching out too much with wear. There’s some Decovil light on the main panels for structure too. 

The crosshatch is sailcloth canvas that I had in my stash from Little Cocalico and it’s such a great fabric for bag linings. 

Pattern is the Little Lizard Kind Vada backpack, which is what I used last year and she specifically requested it for this year too. 

#shannonfabricscuddle #shannonfabrics #llkvada #llkvadabackpack #littlelizardking #littlelizardkingpatterns #littlecocalico
First day of 7th grade and a new backpack! 😍😍
Another fun day at @capecodinflatablepark! #pare Another fun day at @capecodinflatablepark! 

#parellosoncape #parellosescape
We had a nice trip to Boston/Waltham yesterday for We had a nice trip to Boston/Waltham yesterday for some touristy stuff and of course, haircuts! 
#parellosescape #parellosgotoma
We made it 💕💕 #parellosescape #parellosonca We made it 💕💕

#parellosescape #parellosoncape
The modal cotton spandex from @littlecocalico is s The modal cotton spandex from @littlecocalico is so soft! 
I’m loving it in this Soller Top from @itchtostitch 😍😍
#itssollertop #itchtostitch #littlecocalico
It was a fun 3rd/4th of July with some good friend It was a fun 3rd/4th of July with some good friends. Spontaneous and casual was the whole vibe 💕💕🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Hi guys! I’m Ajaire and I’d love to tell you a little more about myself, but before all that, if you’re just curious how to pronounce Ajaire you can hear me say it in the first few seconds of this super old video on the Call Ajaire YouTube Channel. Read More…

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