LTTSA: Penguin Backpack- the Zipper

... dun dun dun!

Just kidding. This zipper is going to go in like butter. Let's do this thing.

We are going to start on page 55 where it says "Insert the zipper." (duh.) Putting together the front and back panels of the backpack is pretty straight forward, so we'll just push on through. The first time you read through the zipper part, it can be a little confusing, so hopefully my pictures can help you visualize it.

You need your two zipper panel pieces cut from the outer fabric and interfaced with that 1.5" strip. You can see mine are double interfaced. I'm using a thin charcoal gray corduroy, so I'm interfacing all of the pieces. And I chose a bright red sport zipper so that it's easy for little eyes and fingers to find.

Here's what the wrong side will look like after you stitch together the interfaced long sides and press seams open. This is just a basting stitch that we will be taking out later. So turn your machine up to the longest stitch length and don't backstitch the beginning and end. I also found it helpful to use contrasting white thread here because it was easier to see all the pieces when ripping it out later.

Now you are supposed to mark a line on the right side, 3/8" on either side of that seam. My fabric marker didn't show up on this very well, so I resourcefully grabbed a giant fat stick of sidewalk chalk. A bit cumbersome, but it worked and wiped off easily.

Now flip it back over and pin the zipper on, so that the top of the zipper is against the wrong side. We are just pinning it centered on that first seam, so that we can hand baste. This is not something that has to be pretty at all, you can see how huge and hasty my stitches are. But it would be nearly impossible to try to get the zipper and all the layers through the machine with pins. Don't try to skip this necessary step.            

Now rip out that first machine-basted stitch before you sew down the zipper. This helps things settle into position. 

Has everyone dug their zipper foot out of whatever chaotic drawer or bin it's been hiding in? Good. Put it on. Maybe you've never changed your foot before. That's ok, dig out your manual if you need to and figure it out. It's really not hard at all. As a self-taught sewer, I put this off as long as I possibly could in the beginning. But then I did it and realized it's actually worth doing, and it's easy. Same thing with changing your needle regularly. Anyway, we will have the zipper on the left side of the needle, so clamp down on the left side of the foot, as shown. Then you will just sew down the lines marked earlier on both sides.

Here's an extra tip- When you get a couple of inches away from the zipper as you sew toward it, stop and lower your needle. Then raise your presser foot up as far as you can and move the zipper back past it, then continue sewing. Then you never have to actually sew past the big part of the zipper. This is what I tried to show in the picture on the right, hope that makes sense. If you do this very carefully, you might even be able to go without the zipper foot. But I'd still recommend it.

You can see here that I ended up sewing another line inside of my first ones. This was because when I turned it over, there were places where the seam allowance did not get caught in the first stitch I made down the chalk line. It was no big deal to fix and now it's extra reinforced, but you might want to just sew a little inside of where your marked line is to make sure you catch that seam allowance the first time. Also, I obviously took out those big ugly basting stitches.

Now the only thing left involving the zipper is sewing it to the long outer side panel with the wings. I took a picture just to show that when you line up both short edges of these two pieces, they won't lie flat because the side panel is much longer. When you sew these seams, (you don't need a zipper foot now) be slow and careful so you don't run your needle into the zipper teeth. That would be bad. Just lift up the foot and move over the teeth, then continue. I actually backstitched before and after that long stitch over the zipper as well as at the beginning and end of the seams. 

Turn it right side out and admire your awesomeness! Zipper JUBILATION! Those wings placed there are pretty genius because they will make easy zipper pulls for toddlers. I'm so excited to finish this, it's pretty much going to be the cutest thing I've ever made.

Just waiting on those strap adjustors which I did have to order. (Boooooo Joann's)

So how's it going for you guys? Let me know if you have any questions about my zipper explanation. And please let us know if you conquer the zipper for the first time- It's exciting!

LTTSA: Backpack Part 1- Supplies

Woohoo! I'm so excited to start another month of the Little Things to Sew-Along! The first one went scrumptrilescently because you guys are so amazingly creative. We had 17 people link up their completed bucket hats, and I know I saw at least a couple more on Flickr that said they were sewing along. I don't know about you, but I definitely got some good practice on sewing curved seams and making pretty topstitching :)

Alright, let's get moving on our backpacks, because if your preschoolers haven't started school yet, they will be soon. And even if we miss the start of school, that's ok too. We are all about stress-free sewing along here.

We need a yard of our main fabric. If you are making a regular backpack, you could really pick any home-dec weight fabric or something else canvas-y. I think some echino or other thick Japanese import would be adoooooorable (if pricy) but might still need a little added interfacing or backing.

I haven't purchased my fabric yet, but I am making the penguin version, so I'm looking for something that is solid or at least reads as fairly solid. The version in the book looks to be cotton twill, which I think looks really nice. But I'll probably buy either denim or corduroy from the shop I work in. The corduroy is very fine wale and thin, so I'll have to interface that as well.

When you are picking out your fabric and wondering if it's the right choice, I would just trust your instincts. If it feels sturdy enough to be a backpack, it probably is. At the same time, you don't want to get something extremely heavy, (like maybe denim from thick jeans) because you will have to sew through a few layers of it at times and don't want to have too much trouble.

 More ideas on that here, from someone who has made it. Go on, read it... Thanks to Erin for paving the way for us :)


As far as other supplies, any quilting weight cotton is good for lining and the outside embellishments. You also need 1/2 yard of lightweight fusible interfacing.

The zipper- you need one of those bigger-molded-toothed kind, 18", which you can find at Joann or wherever. Not invisible and not one of the little-teethed kind you would put into a zippered pouch or something-

Strap adjustors- this might be a little more tricky to find. I haven't actually looked at my local Joann yet, but they are on the website. But they aren't called strap adjustors in the 1-1/2" size, they are called slides. (I tried looking on the site listed on the resource page in the book. Couldn't find them there.) I also think you might try like a sporting goods supply place if sewing supply stores don't have it. But it might just be easier to order online. And it doesn't matter if they are plastic or metal, just as long as they are made to fit 1-1/2" straps.

I'll leave you with another gem I found on flickr. Penguin fabric lining! Love it. 

Alright folks, we'll get started as soon as I can get my crap together. You can cut everything out and put together the front and back of the outside, but if you are scared of apprehensive about the zipper, I'll walk us through that part of the instructions with pictures. Don't worry! You'll do splendidly. 

So what are your thoughts on fabric choice for the outside of the backpack? Anyone have a good resource for strap adjustors? 

***Also, some of you have said you would rather make the messenger bag. No problem, you will still be eligible for the giveaway if you link up your project. I'd love to see them!