From waist bag to backpack

Years ago, in the city on a stinking hot day, I saw a young woman on a bicycle, freewheeling along the city street. She was wearing a strappy sundress, sandals, and had a tiny backpack/handbag on her back. She coasted past me as I walked along the hot pavement, and I rather envied her looking…

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New pattern: The Compact Backpack (zero waste)

The Compact Backpack

Hi Everyone, I have a new zero waste pattern: The Compact Backpack. It’s in my little Etsy shop now; please enjoy 25% off during February. The Compact Backpack is compact in two ways: Firstly, the pattern pieces fit exactly into a 105cm/41⅜” x 64cm/25¼” rectangle with zero waste. And, if you make the backpack in…

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Makin’ it Magic: the Japanese backpack

Makin it Magic The Japanese backpack

Some time ago, my mum went on a holiday to Japan and brought me back a backpack kit. It consists of a pre-printed panel and a single sheet of instructions. The instructions are in Japanese but, as is the case with Japanese pattern books, the illustrations are so clear and thoughtfully drawn that a person…

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