I am a total sucker for Anna’s patterns, I love her style, and her instructions are always spot on. If you follow the directions, you will always have a technically flawless product.
I started it out with some muted pink canvas that I still had on hand. Honestly, I am somewhat relieved I used it up now, because even though its lovely, I am done with it ;-)
The grey straps are really high quality and sturdy, I bought them at Farbenmix last year and they are prefect.
I decided to add rose gold hardware, and I found the zippers at Matthies Gartencenter ;-) They look like metal but are plastic, what is great for working with them.
The only adjustment to the pattern I made was to make the front pouch a zippered pouch. I often use public transportation and throw my bags around, so having a closure was important to me.
the strap connectors, buckle slides and swivel hooks are all from Alles für Selbermacher, and it took the order like 10 days to get to me - one of the reasons it took me such a long time to finish the backpack. But I think the hardware really looks amazing with the pale pink canvas. So worth the wait.
I really think this is not a beginner pattern, technically I found it way more difficult then the awesome making backpack - I hate to set in bottoms, and this oval one really made me breath a little harder and say some prayers. It worked better for the outer bag with the foam stabilizer then the lining, what is fine with me.
The worst part for me was to add the binding on top - and yes, it included like 45 minutes of taking out stitches. The heavy canvas also was not the ideal material to work in multiple layers.
If I would have had dry oilskin at hand to make the backpack, that would have been a much better choice for the outside fabric. If I would make the backpack again with canvas, I would try to find a different solution for the binding. For real.
The lining is pure stash gold, a very old treasure, but I wanted to use my stash and this was the only option. I kind of love that it will get some use now.
I used foam flex for reinforcement, and I still have a love-hate relationship with that stuff: I love it in the finished bag, and I hate to work with it. My sewing machine has a pure hate relationship with it.
For the lining, I used Pellon SF 101, as always. Never skip.
I already took the backpack out on a trip yesterday, and it is really comfortable to carry and the sizing is amazing. Just perfect.
Overall, it was totally worth to invest the time, sweat and money into this project, because I know I will get great use out of it, it is an amazing backpack.
But I am really not sure I will make an other one in the near future. And if I do, I will totally switch out the set-in oval bottom for a rectangular cut the corners out box bottom - especially because this will also enable me to set in the lining in the Aneela Hoey method. The flapping lining is probably my only complaint in the finished backpack.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by no one.
I bought the pattern and all materials myself.
Pattern: Buckthorn backpack and tote - Noodlehead
Fabric (all bought in Germany):
Pink canvas, all interfacing: BM Stoffladen Buxtehude
Straps, style fix and lining: Farbenmix
Zippers: Gartencenter Matthies
Rose Gold hardware: Alles für Selbermacher
