My Slabtown Roll-top Backpack

This was a challenge! While I did the sewing and riveting this weekend, it probably took 3 weekends all-in-all, so, not a fast project, but very worth it. Front panel was woven by my mom in the 70s (she had turned it into a sweater that was lovely, but didn't quite fit and was rarely worn, now it's seen many new incarnations, I think this is bag No. 7 re-purposing this gorgeous weaving!). Main body is a lovely burgundy waxed canvas and lining is a cotton duck canvas, both from Bolt Fabric Boutique, my neighborhood fabric store. And the interior bias tape I made from one of my favorite stash scraps, a glow-in-the-dark skeleton print.

Pattern is the Slabtown Backpack by the amazing Klum House — excellent instructions and illustrations, and really great maker kits (I used the leather/hardware kit, it was so luxurious to have all the leather pre-measured and punched, and the hardware already gathered. I also added the merino wool strap pads, so cozy and easy to add!).

My favorite "fancy skills" on this project were using the walking foot, the jean-a-ma-jig, and doing the double thread top-stitch, such easy and helpful tools/tips, made all the difference in getting those perfect, even, professional stitches!

The only thing I don't love are my rivets, I used a rawhide hammer to set them (definitely getting a bakelite mallet next time) which explained why all my rivets were slightly wonky, using the right tools makes all the difference. Regardless, this bag is so rad, I can't wait to take it on adventures! Oh, and fun side note, it’s big enough to fit a 7-year-old, ha!

#yayslabtown