Kitten Around Block Sew Along - Toddler Backpack

Hooray! It's week two of the Kitten Around Block Sew Along
celebrating my newest paper piecing pattern and all things quilty and kitten-y!

Pop on over to the Kitten Around Sew Along post to learn all about
how you can win a $100 fabric shopping spree from Whimsy Quilts,
and sew up some adorable cats in the process!

Now, for the fun part of the sew along - featuring amazing sewers and their projects!!

Today I am so excited to share with you a guest post from my dear quilty gal
Lindsey Neil from Pen and Paper Patterns!
She is the brain child behind the amazing Rainy Day Quilt and Marigold Quilt patterns
and you absolutely MUST visit her Instagram to see all her fabulous and impeccably sewn designs.

Now let's see what adorable things miss Lindsey has sewn up for us today!



Hey everyone! Lindsey here from Pen + Paper Patterns! I am a mom to three, 24/7 sewer, pattern designer and employee at the best local fabric store in Arizona, ETC in Mesa! It’s my turn today to talk about the project I made with Michael Ann’s latest (and cutest?!) pattern! First of all, when Michael Ann approached me about the sew along, I immediately said yes because, well, obvious reasons – All three kitten blocks are to-die-for and I have really enjoyed every single one of Michael Ann’s patterns so far…This was no exception!



For my project I chose to make the Sitting Kitty block combined with the Made by Rae Toddler Backpack. I’m not sure how I ended up with the idea to make a toddler backpack, since my youngest is now 12. But somehow, in a very short span of time, my idea evolved from making a potholder to a toddler backpack – ha! I was too in love with the backpack idea to scrap it and, luckily, I know some cat-loving toddlers who were willing to model my project. It all worked out!

For the backpack and kitten block, I used some of my most favorite prints right now – Liberty’s Betsy in Turquoise and Art Gallery’s new denim fabric! Using Liberty on a little kids’ backpack is not my most practical idea, I’ll admit, but the finished product wouldn’t be as adorable without it, right?



The Sitting Kitty block was a simple and fast block to make and it was the perfect size for the front of the backpack – no resizing necessary! I also loved the tips for paper piecing that Michael Ann included in the pattern. There is even a link provided with step-by-step instructions for paper piecing for any newbies out there! This pattern is user friendly for any skill level!

Because I used lightweight fabrics and not the suggested canvas-type fabrics for the backpack, I lined it with some Soft N’ Stable to give it structure. I think the cross hatch quilting helped in that area, too!

Also, instead of adding piping along the outer edge of the front and back panels of the backpack, I made faux-piping (which is just a strip of fabric on the bias, pressed in half lengthwise and applied the same way as real piping). I was out of cording at home and thought this made a pretty good substitute! There’s still that pop of color but minus the slightly more tedious method of sewing piping on.



I had so much fun making this project! I’m thinking a baby size quilt using the Kitten Around blocks needs to happen next…or maybe just a potholder ;)

Thanks Michael-Ann for letting me join in on the fun! I loved the pattern and seeing everyone’s creations they’ve made with it so far!



Thank YOU miss Lindsey for making such an adorable project with my pattern!
That Liberty and denim is such a classic combination, and I can't believe how cute it looks with that kitten!

To get started on your own Kitten Around Block project,
pop over to my Etsy shop and download your pattern

Then be sure to post a photo of your project to Instagram with the tag #KittenAroundBlock
by this Friday April 15th
for your chance to win $100 in fabric from Whimsy Quilts!

Good luck, and happy sewing!