Cats in the Library

Awhile back on Instagram I'd seen fabric someone had used that I thought was so adorable, and I instantly knew I wanted some, so I tracked it down and bought it!

Also, for quite some time, I'd had the Bigger on the Inside drawstring backpack pattern by Erin (Erickson) Gilbey, but I hadn't found a use for one so hadn't sewn it yet.

Then, with Miss Courtney about to turn eleven years old on February 1st, I knew what I wanted to make for her gift! 

So here it is. Now especially for you cat lovers out there, isn't this just the cutest fabric? And the backpack is nice and big to display it perfectly.

I fussy cut it carefully, so as not to harm any kitties in the making of the bag.

Here's what it looks like cinched. The front...

... and the back.

Before I had it finished, however, Miss C told me she could use a new little pouch to store her latest collection of tiny figures, Hatchimal Colleggtibles. For those of you who might not know what they are, here's a photo I took last Tuesday when she'd brought them all along to show to me. She's acquired quite a few more since then, thanks to her birthday!

She and I decided together that the Encore Clutch, another pattern by Erin Gilbey, would be just the right size. So here it is, and it displays the kitties nicely, too (again carefully fussy cut). Front...

(Did you notice the "Kitty Tails"?)

... and back.

The set together.

You maybe noticed the kitty paw prints on the straps. The bags are both lined with it, too, and you can see it here on the backpack.

Here she is with her new bags for a little size reference.

She's wearing the backpack below, to show its size again. The straps are somewhat too long right now, but I only knotted them at the bottom so they can easily be adjusted, and then they can be lengthened out again as she grows.

Here's one more photo of the birthday girl. (Yes, she had TWO cakes!) I didn't realize until I was looking at the photos after I got home that I'd caught her twice in this one. Funny. :)

I know someone's going to ask, so I'll tell you right now that the fabrics are by Timeless Treasures. They are called Cats in the Library and Paw Prints. I got mine from Fabric.com, but I'm sure you can find them other places, too.

The patterns can be purchased here. If you happen to read this yet tonight (Sunday, Feb. 4), Erin has a 30% off sale on all her patterns for the rest of the day. Use code WINTERFEST.