{American Girl Backpack}

My 6 1/2 yr old is really getting into her American Girl doll these days, and I have to admit that I love creating homemade things for her! My kiddo of course wants EVERYTHING in the AG catalog, but if you haven't seen the prices, let me tell you...it's not pretty. We are so fortunate that one of her grandpas is really good at woodworking, and as a result, she's been hooked up with a cool doll table and chairs, a balance beam, a 4-poster bed, and most recently, a school desk. (Isn't it cool?!)

So she's been playing school for 3 days straight with the doll and the need for a doll backpack came to my attention...as well as a couple of other things but we'll get to those later. :) After writing up little worksheets for her on scrap cardstock, I got to work on a backpack.  After one failed attempt due to measuring waaaaaaay too small, this is what I came up with. I'm SOOO pleased with it!!

Isn't it darling??!  You need very little fabric for this. I modeled the pattern after the Valentine Mail Pouches 

(tutorial here ), just altered the measurements and actually attached the straps to the bag instead of using snaps or buttons. Just last week I had to cut off a pair of my old jeans that had finally torn beyond repair, so I used denim scraps for the body of the bag, and hot pink leopard scraps for the lining and straps. The flower on the front is another post! :)

I would think these measurements should fit any 18" doll. 

Here's what I did:

For the bag: 7"  x 6.5" - (2) outer, (2) lining, (2) fusible fleece

For the flap: 4" x 6.5" - (1) outer, (1) lining - round the corners freehand

For the straps: 9" x 2.5"  (2) 

I boxed the corners at 3/4".

Some lessons I learned...make sure to attach the straps BEFORE sewing the outer pieces together - AND - mine just has a flap closure which is great, but you could also add a snap if you wanted.

It's so stinkin' cute and the best part is that it cost me nothing and my kiddo loves it! It even fits on the back of her little school desk. :)

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I thoroughly enjoyed making this! :)

Take care,

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