Sewing

Range Backpack Testers

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

Above: My friend Holly made this version using Leah Duncan’s canvas collection for Cloud9 Fabrics called Lines and Shapes, black canvas is Robert Kaufman Outback canvas. Both available from her shop: bijoulovely.com

Thanks so much for your support of my new pattern, the Range Backpack. It’s always so much fun to finally share something that I’ve been working on for so long. Today, I’m excited to share some of the Range Backpacks that my testers made!

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

I’m super lucky and grateful that I’ve been able to get together with my friends each summer to sew and chat and eat all the snacks. This year it sort of timed out perfectly to ask if anyone was interested in test sewing the backpack. To my surprise everyone agreed to sew one up! I seriously was floored. I’ve found through trial and error that sewing through a pattern with people in person is really such an amazing experience. I always learn something new or notice something I could improve upon. It’s little things that I pick up on in person that really can’t be matched anywhere else.Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

So I got to hang out and cut fabric and interfacing and witness my friends sewing up their very own backpacks. It was really a treat! And they were gracious enough to let me snap a few pics when we were all done. I can’t thank them enough!

A few weeks after my sewing retreat with my friends, I got together with a group of lovely women at my local quilt shop, Olive Juice Quilts, to do an in-person testing of the backpack. I’m very grateful for their time and was so excited to see all the finished backpacks. Some of the ladies were kind enough to send me a few pics to share here.

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

Above: Carol made this lovely backpack with this beautiful floral canvas, she added a pop of lime green with the lining. So pretty!

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

Above: Elaine made this gorgeous tropical backpack using outdoor fabrics! It looks so great!

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

Above: Colleen made this lovely version using this lovely canvas print and coordinating black canvas. The lining she used Anna Maria Horner’s Loominous.

I hope these bring you some additional inspiration! I think after seeing these that there really isn’t a wrong way to go with fabric choices, it really looks great in all fabrics!

Range Backpack Testers - Noodlehead

Above: Sharon whipped up this gorgeous batik backpack. She interfaced the contrast bottom with foam because she chose to use the lighter weight batik fabric. So pretty!

Also, a reminder that I have hardware kits available as well, they’ve been going fast!

18 thoughts on “Range Backpack Testers

  1. liz.xu.wilson says:

    I am absolutely, head over heels in love with the fabric choice in the very first backpack, the black on black with some white lines. So in love that I think I will have to attempt this bag even though it’s way out of my abilities range! Can you tell me what kind of fabric it is … is it canvas, or quilting cotton? If quilting cotton, what line is that?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Yes! it’s great, right?! My friend Holly made it. It’s canvas by Leah Duncan, her new canvas collection with Cloud9 Fabrics call Lines & Shapes.

  2. Tina says:

    Anna, what is the yellowish fabric used on two of the backpacks from your friends? looks AMAZING!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      It is really pretty isn’t it! Both are waxed canvas (called Spring Green) from AL Frances Textiles on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/189804807/hand-waxed-cotton-canvas-fabric-spring?ga_search_query=spring+green&ref=shop_items_search_1

      1. Tina says:

        Thanks! Really love the color!
        Bought the pattern, but still pondering the fabric choices…
        My friend in Germany loves to sew with used truck cloth – I just don’t know what it’s called in English 😉 it is like super sturdy laminated cotton, and usually recycled, so really cool.
        Or sailcloth, that’s also a favorite for sturdy baks in Germany…

  3. Robby H. says:

    I fell for this when I first saw it last week. Not sure my sewing skills are quite there yet but I may give it a go anyway, as soon as I get a couple of other things off my sewing/dining table. Good luck with the design!

  4. Leanne says:

    Anna your backpack is awesome! I was so bummed to not be able to be a tester but we were out of town that weekend! These turned out so amazing……I hadn’t considered using prints but I just love some of these examples. I think I’m going to have to get off my Compass bag kick and give a backpack a try! Love it!

  5. All so beautiful! Love the pattern! Your patterns are wonderful! Till loving my Super Tote.

  6. plreis says:

    This is so what I’ve been looking for!!! Thank you! Could we have a list of each fabric shown and where it was purchased please? Got the two that are listed above but like the others as well (tropical, orangey canvas, off blue geometric/rocky). Many thanks!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi! Glad you like them. Hmm, well some of them I know the fabrics, others I do not because the testers purchased their own fabric before class, etc. I do know the tropical print was purchased at our local Joann fabrics. The solid blue one is a waxed canvas (from AL Frances Textiles, the shop is linked in my pattern) with the lining being Carolyn Friedlander’s Carkai collection: http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/carolyn_friedlander/carkai/the_big_one_in_iron

  7. They’re all gorgeous!

  8. Nina says:

    It’s such a cool pattern, Anna – this style of bag is very fashionable in London at the moment. Do you know if it will comfortably hold an A4 folder? By the way, I made my sister’s birthday present last month using your open wide pouch tutorial and I’m now working on a gift for my boyfriend using your Cargo duffle pattern – thank you for such great freebies! I put a photo of the pouches in your Flickr group (old school, I know).

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Nina! Thanks! Oh fun, that’s exciting that it’s fashionable in London! Yes, for sure. It fits US letter size (even a 3 ring binder) and A4 with room to spare. Oh the cargo duffle sounds amazing, too! I’ll have to pop back on flickr and check out the pouches.

  9. Kristin says:

    I visited Olive Juice for the first time 2 weeks ago. Ah-May-Zing!!!! I wish I was closer and could go there all the time.
    xoxo

  10. Lorna Middleton says:

    It’s so good that you actually test your patterns with guinea pigs. So many times we purchase patterns that don’t make sense or have bits missing. What is obvious to the writer may not be to the sewer. Bought some lovely denim at FOQ and now have a pattern to use it.

  11. Linda says:

    I bought your pattern while I was in BC this summer and last week bought some fabric…you don’t happen to have any pictures of the back it quilted do you? I love your friends fabric choices and I especially love the labels to keep me organized.

  12. Kylie Lindström says:

    Hiya Anna! I was looking for a backpack pattern to try and love the look of this one. Do you if it fits a laptop (mine is a 13” MacBook Air, so on the smaller side)?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hey Kylie, yes, I believe a small laptop would fit. 🙂

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