That gorgeous fabric is becoming a backpack.

I’m on a quest for the perfect travel bag.  During this month of January, I have already made two travel bags.  The stunning Repressed Fantasies travel bag…

And the slightly more sedate Flocking Cardinals travel bag…

I carried my cardinals on a weekend trip to Honolulu.  Like beta testing for a travel bag.  I found out it’s just not the right travel bag for me.  Fear not, somebody I know will be gifted with this bag, so it will not be abandoned.

I switched direction entirely on my travel bag quest, decided to try a backpack.  It would be great to travel with at least one free hand.  After way too much thought, too many Bing searches, and scouring the depths of Etsy, I chose the Dawn to Dusk backpack pattern by Chris W. Designs.

The teaser pictures I posted yesterday were of the backpack straps and the beginning of the front pocket.

I sewed the lining for the front pocket, and it looks awesome

Inside the front pouchy pocket is a pen pocket, which can also hold my cell phone.

The pouchy pocket goes on next, then the front flap to make it all look tidy!

I love the color of this zipper!  The pattern has straps with buckles over the flaps.  I decided to leave off all the pocket straps, because I’m pursuing a softer look, rather than the more utilitarian feel that I felt the straps convey.

The lining fabric is one of my current favorite fabrics also.  I’ve used bits of it in my Millefiore Quilt.  I was struggling with what to use for lining on this project.  I was thinking of using another Philip Jacobs fabric, but it was too matchy.  A different floral with very similar colors.  It just didn’t ADD anything to this backpack.  I was trying to clear a space off of my, ahem, slightly cluttered cutting table.  As I was folding up the holey fabrics for the Millefiore Quilt, I was, like, wait a minute!  This looks awesome!  I also went and bought some more of it from my local enablers.

Could travel bag number three be THE travel bag?  The jury’s still out, but I think it’s a very good possibility.

Now go make something pretty.  It probably won’t be as pretty as this backpack, but you can try.  😜