Some projects just seem doomed from the get-go. This book bag for my homeschooled granddaughter is one of those. It was cut out 8 weeks ago and has been pushed to the bottom of my to-do list again and again, because something else was more urgently needed or there was a problem with the bag that stopped me in my tracks. So I am happy just to have it completed finally.
Nana School book bag
The schoolhouse embroidery design is from Sew Many Designs Rolling into Autumn collection. I added the flag from the same site’s Little Scribblers school bus design.    The applique monogram is the Polka Dot Font from Five Star Fonts. I just left off the dots.
book bag monogram
The border design below the monogram is from Viking/Pfaff Inspira Kids Edgings. This is a terrific collection, with sets of designs that include both vertical and horizontal borders along with a coordinating design. It is great for burp cloths and so many other things.
The bag is lined with the striped fabric and has a zippered pocket. For the handles I used some strapping I had on hand and covered it with the quilted fabric. But it was too thick to turn a tube so I simply folded over the edges and serged. They look awful.
What have you used for handles? Strapping would have worked if I had it in the right color. But do you have any other suggestions for firm straps? I’d love to hear about them or any other book bag tips.
Now that the book bag is finished, not to my liking, but finished nonetheless, I keep telling myself that this is not a project for a magazine or a class sample that requires near perfection. It is a book bag and regardless of its flaws, it will carry books. Laurel, bless her precious little heart, loves anything I make for her and offers no criticism.
Laurel in Nana's jungle with Hannah on the prowl
This bag is made from the same multi colored strip and quilted red fabric that I used for her chair cover and pencil and marker bags (see post “sewing for homeschool” ). So at least it matches something.
Last year, at the school she attended as a K4 student, she was issued a red book bag printed with the school name. She never asked for another bag, but I think it was her expectation, just as you expect a new pair of shoes and a box of crayons at the beginning of the school year. So at least I finally delivered.
