Little Truck Backpack

One of the things on the top of my list to finish last week was another little toddler backpack:I had had a request from a non-sewing mom to make one awhile back; she liked the pattern but it's not exactly a learn-to-sew project. She wanted a dark denim and liked the idea of piping with red (I had red and brown on hand), so I went for a truck applique with some newly-acquired Michael Miller Polka Dots (more projects with that soon!).I wanted to use the fabric I had on hand (for custom stuff especially rather than go out and buy yards of fabric for samples that might then never get used), so I used some denim that had been "mined" from a pair of jeans in the thrift store pile. I've been saving old pants that are just going to get tossed or donated; I washed them and cut along the side seams and cut off the waistband -- for men's pants especially that's a TON of great bottom-weight fabric, perfect for making a backpack out of.I interfaced the denim to give it more bulk and serged all the inside seams. The notions needed (you can also use D-rings instead of strap adjusters) for this project are pictured here. In the pic above you can see it with strap adjusters (all are available at your local chain fabric store).Here's a couple of samples that didn't make the cut:I liked the middle one enough that it's about halfway done already; the other two appliques will probably make it onto t-shirts or bibs. I use fusible web to iron them onto the fabric and then use a very short zig-zag stitch around all the edges.I've been sent a ton of great pictures of backpacks lately from those of you who have made backpacks with the pattern -- I'd love it if you would put them in the newly-formed photo pool so we can all admire them!The actual address of the photo pool is: http://www.flickr.com/groups/toddlerbackpacks/