Backpack Charm

Ages 6-10

Add personal appeal to a book bag or backpack with a fun backpack charm.

BONUS! Download the instructions to make a cute bookmark and pencil case.

Supplies

• Two 6" squares of craft felt
• 10" length of ribbon or rickrack
• Coordinating embroidery floss
• Hand embroidery needle
• Polyester fiberfill
• Embellishments: beads, bells or buttons (optional)

Download the backpack charm patterns. Or instruct the child to draw a simple shape that's no larger than 5" square, such as an apple, cat or heart. Cut out the pattern along the lines.

Cut one shape from each felt square.

Thread the needle with six strands of embroidery floss; knot the ends. Hand stitch the desired embellishments to one shape right side. For example, if using the featured cat shape, stitch an eye on the head and a collar and bell at the neck. Or cut out fabric scraps to stitch on the apple.

Align the two shapes with wrong sides together; pin, and then backstitch the perimeter, leaving a 1" opening. Gently stuff with fiberfill. Hand stitch the opening closed.

Hand stitch the ribbon or rickrack lower-edge center to the charm upper-edge center (1). Tie the ends together.

Appeared in:

August/September 2010