Draw String Backpack with Attached Carrier for 18" Doll

 Cut list:

2 pieces for the backpack 12"x15"

1 carrier front

2 Six inch pieces of binding

2 Pieces of cord 36"-60" inches long (depending on size of the child)

Here's my first try at a tutorial hope I can make it clear enough for you to make this string backpack with attached doll carrier for the little girls in your life.  I used denim for my backpack.  First I wanted the finished string backpack to be about 11"x14" so I cut 2 rectangles approximately 12"x15".  These will make the drawstring bag/backpack that the doll carrier will be attached to.

Cut out the front piece on the fold using a PDF file that I am still trying to figure out how to include here.  This is what it looks like.

Use bias tape to cover the top and 2 leg openings.  I used a binder foot for this and was amazed at how easy it was.  I have discovered many new "feet" for my machine that make many things easier!!

 

 Attach 2 snaps at the top of this piece about 2.5-3 inches apart.

Now I decided I wanted a one inch casing along the top of the bag portion, so I marked a line across the top of my 12x15 pieces of fabric 2 inches from the top. Snip both sides about 1/4 inch in.  Fold this small piece in and press.  Top stitch this so the casing edge is sealed.   Fold the casing down and stitch in place. 

 Place the front doll carrier piece on one of the 12x15 inch pieces lining up with the bottom and sides.  Baste in place. Sew the two 12x15 pieces together on the 2 long sides and the bottom.  You need to cut four 2inch x 2 inch pieces of fusible interfacing.  Iron these on the bottom corners to reinforce the fabric where the grommets will be placed.

 

Turn right side out.

Cut two strips of flat binding six inches long.  These will be the shoulder straps for the doll.   I sealed the ends of my binding with a lighter so they wouldn't fray.  You could use fray ender also.  Attach the other half of the snap to one end of the 6 inch binding.  Snap to top of carrier.  Sew the other ends along the stitching for the casing directly above the snaps on the carrier piece.  These will not be tight, there needs to be room for the doll. 

Attach grommets to the 2 bottom corners.  

Now, you're going to insert the cord to draw the bag closed and to act as the backpack straps.  Cord length depends on size of child.  I use about 1 yard for each side on this example but the child I'm making it for is small.  You may need a longer length.  Thread the cord through opposite sides so they will gather when both are pulled.  Thread them through the grommets and tighten to fit your child. I bought this cord in the macrame section instead of fabric.  It was $2 for 15 feet and the cord in fabrics was around $1.49 a yard.

Add doll and adorable child and you're done!

The Sleepover Pillowcase

Having one grandson among 5 granddaughters he gets left out on the sewing front.  He doesn't care for headbands, skirts, bows or dresses!  So, thanks to A Lemon Squeezy Home I made him a Sleepover Pillowcase out of Cars fabric.  There's a pocket on the front for a favorite toy, book or pajamas and if a pillow is not needed there's a big button at the top to keep all their treasures secure.

 

Here's Emma's.

Doll Beds

For some reason I started this but never finished it.  Go figure.  Anyway, here are doll beds I have built for the girls.

 

The first is the plan from Ana-White and the second is a plan from Pieces for Reese .

Benches

Hi!  I'm the B part of Nonni and B.  I thought I'd share with you something The Non made for me.  These benches.......

Actually, she made one.  My husband made the other.  The plans are from the fabulous Ana White of Knock-Off Wood.  We made these shorter than specified in her plans because I wanted them to push all the way under my table.  It seemed simple enough to do...just make it shorter.  But you see the pretty triangular pieces there??  Yeah, if you shorten the length it changes the angle of the boards there.  Meaning you have to do....wait for it.....MATH to get the benches put together and looking pretty.  A responsible blogger would have written down the shorter length and new angle needed to make these things.  In my defense, I wasn't a blogger at the time!  

To finish them, I got a sample of paint in a blue color and mixed it with a glaze.  I put on three or so thin coats.  It isn't terribly blotchy, and you can see the wood grain through it (which is what I was going for).  Then I finished them off with a coat (or two or three) of wipe-on polyurethane.  

And there we have it!!  Now I just need to refinish my dining room table.  It's the same table everyone else in their early 30s has or had until all the chairs broke.  You know the one:  blonde pine rectangle.  No leaf.  Broken....chairs.  (what kind of chairs are those again?)

And PS-neither my mom nor my husband would let me play with the tools and make the bench myself.  *hmph*

Pictures of the Girls with the Doll Carrier Backpack

Drawstring Backpack with attached Doll Carrier for 18" Dolls

I have been trying to make some type of backpack for the granddaughters 18" dolls.  I think I finally have it figured out.  Stay tuned because HOPEFULLY I will have one finished tomorrow to post.

Ta Da!  Here it is...

Tomorrow I will deliver them to my granddaughters and then I will have pictures of the girls wearing them. Easy to make.  Leave a comment if you are interested in a tutorial and I will try and get one on here.