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TODDLER BACKPACK + ARIZONA FABRIC GIVEAWAY





I am sure by now that you have heard about April Rhodes amazing new fabric line for Art Galley Fabrics called Arizona Fabrics which is soon to be released. I love the colors, the modern shapes, and the nod to the west. When she asked me to participate in her blog tour I was more than eager to comply. In fact I had been wanting to make my daughter a new backpack for awhile as she is starting preK this fall, and I knew that April's new fabrics would be perfect. She loves the pink and flowers and I love that the fabric doesn't feel juvenile - the perfect balance.
For the pattern I used Made By Rae's Toddler backpack pattern once again (see my first version here). This time I enlarged it about 1inch all around. This made it the perfect size to fit letter sized folders, but still small enough to not topple her over. I also added a lining, inside pocket, and outside pocket. I love this pattern because it is simple, and easy to customize.
To make the backpack more stiff I fuzed it to some heavyweight stabilizer. This is my only regret. It doesn't want to stay fused which is causing some slight bubbling on the fabric. If I did it again I would use sew-in stabilizer instead.
The fabric was wonderful to work with. It was my first time to use ArtGallery fabrics and I am officially impressed. The quilting cotton is obviously of a good quality as it has a soft feel and washes up beautifully. I am excited to try them again.
There are a bunch of other blogs participating in the blog tour. Here is a list of them all if you would like to check them out.
Thursday, May 1 - Anna Graham - @noodlehead531 / http://www.noodle-head.com
Friday, May 2 - Shelley Figueroa - @figgysstudio / http://figgys.myshopify.com/blogs/figgys
Saturday, May 3 - Julie Herman - @jaybirdquilts / http://www.jaybirdquilts.com
Sunday, May 4 - Erin Sobon Sundet - @sewbon / http://sewbon.com
Monday, May 5 - Jenna Brand - @howtobejenna / http://jennabrand.com
Tuesday, May 6 - Kelli Ward - @truebias / https://www.truebias.com
Wednesday, May 7 - Rachel Howard - @familyeverafter / http://www.familyeverafterblog.com
Thursday, May 8 - Delia Randall - @deliacreates / http://www.deliacreates.com
Friday, May 9 - Kelly Costas - @cutcutsew / http://www.cutcutsew.com
Saturday, May 10 - Rachel Gander - @imaginegnats / http://imaginegnats.com
Sunday, May 11 - Devon Iott - @missmake / http://www.missmake.com
Monday, May 12 - Mary Dugan - @marysdugan / http://mollyflanders.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 13 - Shannon Cook - @soveryshannon / http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com
Wednesday, May 14 - Penny Layman - @sewtakeahike / http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com
Thursday, May 15 - Katie Blakesley - @swimbikequilt / http://swimbikequilt.com
As mentioned before I have a fat quarter bundle to GIVEAWAY to one lucky reader. All you need to do is comment on this post with what you would use the fabric for. Unfortunately it is only open to US readers. The giveaway is open until Thursday night - midnight EST. I will announce the winner on Friday.