The Liesl and Co Day in the Park Backpack Tote pattern has been in my collection for ages.  I felt guilty every time that I came across it, because I knew that I’d really like it once I made it, yet I’d left it to languish.  A couple of months ago I attended Soul Craft, and knew that a backpack of the non-sporting-aesthetic variety was just what I needed to take with me.  So finally, out came the pattern, out came the fabric, and I sewed it up!

Bags are super difficult to photograph in ways that really show their true glory. Kudos to those who photograph them professionally! For me, the big drawcard of this bag is the convertible straps. It can be carried as a tote bag, or the straps can be worn differently and it becomes a backpack. It is all to do with the rings and how the straps are threaded through them during construction.

The fabrics are denim from Rathdowne Fabrics (love their remnant bins) and quilting cotton that has been in stash forever. I had a vintage button to use on the outside, and the brass rings and other hardware were in my stash. I’ve got a fair few bag supplies stocked up. There’s also a fair bit of quality fusible woven interfacing throughout. Don’t use low cost poor quality interfacing – it makes such a difference to the finished product if you use the good stuff. You won’t regret it!

This is a fairly simple bag. There is the outer pocket, and some patch pockets on the inside plus a zippered pocket on the inside. Shaping is done through the use of a gusset. It takes patience and lots of pinning and clipping to sew the curved bottom edges nicely, but in the end it all comes together well.

From the pattern website: This versatile bag can be worn as a backpack, shoulder bag, or tote and is suitable as a second project for new sewers. Fully lined interior includes zippered pocket and divided patch pocket for pencils, cell phone, or other small items.

This worked really well at Soul Craft to carry my keep cup, water bottle, purse, glasses, and the other bits and pieces that I needed to have with me, all while keeping my hands free to pat yarn and fabric.  This pattern definitely gets a thumbs up.