Rose Petal Backpack

I wanted to make Violet a new bag for school. She's getting old enough for a backpack.

You can make it in under an hour for about $2.00.

Cheap, near-instant gratification---yay!!!!

I saw a similar idea online about a year ago, but I can't find it. It was made with homemade, hand-cut out pieces of fabric in ovals, I think. If you know where that tutorial is, I'll be happy to link to it.

I thought it would be easier with ready-made petals.

You'll need:

Drawstring cinch-style backpack (I bought it at a dollar store for....$1.00. I think it would be easiest with a bag that lies flat, but you could probably do it on anything from a regular bag pack to a tote to a purse.)
bag of rose petals (I also found these at the dollar store for....you guessed it! $1.00. They were with the wedding supplies.)
A hot glue gun (I assume most people already have one of those.)

Start gluing the petals along the bottom edge. I let mine hang over the edge a bit. Now keep gluing them on in rows----that's it!

It doesn't matter much, but if you want to be extra fancy....the petals sort of have a back and a front (petals bows in or out), and a top and a bottom (round end and pointy end). If you want them to lie down a little more smoothly, glue them all on in the same direction.

See? You're done. Easy! And not that 'It's easy if you have a masters in craft/design/Marthaness but not for normal people easy'. Really, really easy.

I think it turned out cute! I think I'll use a similar technique for some costumes this Halloween. I'm thinking matching sister flower fairy-ish sorts of dresses.

The adjustable straps are nice, and unlike the school-sized packs, it's nice and light. I don't think her little body is ready for a mega-backpack yet.

This is just right for her lunch, a few toys, and maybe a book. Carry it yourself, my sweet little pack mule....Mama is schlepping a baby around.

I'm glad she likes it.

If Violet doesn't care, I might make this one the 'Little Sister Bag'. I'd like to make Violet one out of dark purple petals.....Violet petals, obviously! Although I'll probably just have to find purple rose petals and pretend they're violets.

Comments

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A Marthaness Degree! You crack me up.....(Miss Rude (me) laughed hysterically again at your magazine pkg - it came on the perfect day. The Martha pages were especially hilarious)

Your talents never end. Sooooooo darling! This would be $89.00 at Anthropologie. Love Violet's matching headpiece.

Having another baby changes everything ~ Violet will be a big help.

Posted by: Jill James | April 24, 2012 at 08:09 PM

Okay. I'm not kidding. My heart is beating so fast (and not because I have a crummy heart). I grabbed one of these drawstring bags from my aunt's yard sale stack this weekend. I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE ME ONE OF THESE FANCY SCHMANCY BAGS!!!!

Posted by: stacy | April 25, 2012 at 11:18 PM