My cousin’s son Ollie turns 4 years old this week (he and Clare are great mates).  So I made him the Simple Drawstring Backpack from Lotta Jansdotter’s book Simple Sewing.

It was certainly simple!  I think that it took about three hours total, maybe even a little less, including cutting out time.  Lotta says to allow a day – only if you’re an absolute beginner!  Hopefully he’ll like it and it will be useful.  The fabric came from my stash (the print bought from Lincraft ages ago, and I think that the plain was an op-shop find!)  The instructions didn’t say anything about finishing seam edges, but I overlocked them all.  Particularly important for something like an unlined backpack which could be gettting lots of use – I didn’t want the fabric to fray down to the seams.  I am happy with the finished product, and think that I’ll be using this pattern again!  Next time, I might add an inside pocket and make the strap length adjustable.