Hi! My name is Linda, and I’m new on this site! I love to sew, and it’s so nice to find others with the same passion! I was given one of those nice backpacks that you carry a baby in, the kind with the frame that stands while you’re putting the baby in it, but the fabric part is old and mildewed. I’d like to make a new fabric part to go over the frame. Does anyone know of any patterns for that sort of thing, or of a pattern company that might specialize in them? I’m not sure how this forum thing works, and I have to go somewhere, so if I get an answer and I don’t respond right away, be patient, please, while I figure it out! Nice to be part of you all!
Linda
Replies
LInda, I don't know of any commercial patterns for such a thing. What I'd do is dissect the current cover, piece by piece, taking note of how it was put together as you go along (sketching and numbering the pieces is helpful for this step). Then trace patterns from the original pieces to make the new cover, and reassemble the backpack as it was. I'm not sure how easily you'll be able to do it--you'll probably need to sew some parts around elements of the frame, and this could be tricky to do. Experiment by pinning or basting first, to see what order will work best for reassembly.
Carol
Carol, it's so nice of you to take the time to reply. It's a very complicated set-up, much of which is sewn around the frame, you're right. I never thought of diagramming and numbering the pieces. It's more tricky than it's probably going to be worth--I think I'm just going to try scrubbing it down good, and maybe it will be usable. Thanks again, though. It's so nice to be part of this forum!
Linda
Linda, well, I didn't want to discourage you, but I personally probably would try the scrubbing approach first, too. While this could be an interesting puzzle of a project, usually when you have a kid small enough to ride in a backpack, you don't also have a lot of spare time for such things.
A lot of people swear by baby slings, which are really easy to make (Elizabeth Lee has a pattern for them--I think the address is http://www.elddesigns.com) and great for everyday wandering around, but for real hiking, a centered, ergonomically designed backpack is more comfortable for both the baby and its sherpa. You might be able to clean up the pack you've got, and design some sort of removable liner that velcros or ties onto the pack itself. Flannel or even quilted fabric would add an extra layer of cleanliness and comfort, and you could probably come up with a pretty simple, bag-like form with leg openings that would do the trick.
Carol
All good suggestions! Thank-you!
Linda
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